Page 168 of Barinov

“Don’t really have a fucking choice do I?” he grits.

I work slower and push deeper, feeling the tight bands of his muscle begin to loosen. He exhales as his forehead presses further into the mattress.

“That better?”

“Don’t stop,” he mumbles, his voice thick.

So I don’t.

The room goes still, the only sound is that of the splattering of rain against the window and the steady pull of his breath. My hands keep moving, easing the tension as if I could practically knead the worry out of him. As if keeping him right here could ensure that nothing could touch him.

“We’re going to get her back,” I say after a minute, softer now.

Lex’s shoulders tense again for a fleeting second. I press into his muscles a little harder, dragging my hands down the length of his back before working back up, slower this time.

“I know,” he whispers, breath hitching when I dig into a knot.

I lean forward slightly, letting my weight settle more firmly against him. My hands slow as his breathing begins to even out. The fight drains out of him little by little, replaced by something much heavier.

Exhaustion.

The rigid lines of his body finally go soft under my palms.

“Lex?” I murmur.

No answer.

I still for a moment, perched over him and watch the slow rise and fall of his back.

He’s out.

Chapter 43

LEX

Roman Russo’s Estate - Appia Antica, Italy

Ready to get this fucking show on the road.

66 days since Bella’s kidnapping

Cade pants breathlessly and doesn’t even try to hide the grin in his voice as I grind against the curve of his ass.

“Seriously, babe,” he rasps, skin slick under my palms. “How the fuck do you get so hard so fast?”

A low laugh vibrates out of me.

“That’s what you two do to me,” I growl, biting down on his shoulder. I glide my fingers between us to circle his rim. “You want me calm, then you better stop being so fucking beautiful.”

Cade hisses as I slide a soaked finger inside him. His spine arches back, slamming his warmth into my chest. At that exact moment, thunder rattles the glass.

“That’s weird,” I mutter, slowly pulling away. “Thought the storm already passed.”

Cade shrugs and shoves his ass back.

“Aren’t we greedy tonight, babe?” I chuckle, sliding in another finger.

“Mmmmfuck,” Cade moans. “Don’t stop.”