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Once they could slip away, they retrieved their SUV and drove back down to the Avernus, heading straight up to their room. Lex’s mind buzzed with questions, not the least of which was figuring out who the real target was. He’d assumed he and Summer, but now he wasn’t so sure. Seemed more like it had been the thugs chasing after them.

But why? Were the men loose ends who needed to be eliminated?

Lex locked the door and turned to see Summer rubbing her arms. She’d put on a very brave face down on the street during the chaos, but now she looked fragile. A bit traumatized. He could see her trembling.

In two long strides, he reached her, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against his solid body. “I’ve got you,” he whispered, breathing in her tropical scent. She clung to him and a tremor racked through her frame. “Why don’t you take a hot shower and I’ll order us some food, okay?”

She nodded, her face burrowed against his chest, but she didn’t let go. So he continued to hold her close, stroking a hand up and down her back. Hoping to comfort her. The last person he’d comforted had been his dad in his final moments, and a wave of unexpected emotion hit him hard. To his surprise, he realized he was holding onto her just as tightly as she was clinging to him.

He wasn’t sure how long they stood there like that, but eventually they pulled apart. Summer dragged in a shaky breath and stepped away. “I’m going to take that shower now,” she murmured softly.

Lex watched her grab fresh clothes from her bag and disappear into the bathroom. And amidst all the questions he still had, he knew one thing for certain—during those moments they’d held each other, something significant had shifted between them. Because as much as he’d liked her before, his mind and heart came to a collective decision. He was playing for keeps. She was the most special woman he’d ever met, and he wasn’t ever letting her go. He’d keep her safe. And he was going to make Summer all his. No matter what.

Still shaking a little, Summer did her best to calm down. The adrenaline eventually wore off as she showered then pulled on her nightshirt and brushed her teeth. Because, yeah, she was in for the night. There was no way she was going back onto that boulevard with a gunman on the loose somewhere. More than one, actually.

The steam followed her out as she stepped back into the bedroom, eyes widening at the enormous spread of food. Lex sent her a sheepish grin. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted to eat, so I ordered a few things.”

“A few?” she echoed, gaze roaming over eight covered trays as well as cans of soda, fruit juice and water. “It looks like you ordered the whole menu.”

“Not quite, but almost,” he admitted, wandering closer. “I just wanted to make sure you had options.”

Summer pressed her lips together, focusing on the man who was so much sweeter than she ever would’ve guessed. He had no reason to be here in Vegas, protecting her as they tracked down her useless ex. There was no reason for him to get involved in her personal affairs after only one date. He could’ve walked away the moment things took a turn for the worse. She knew she came with more baggage than most.

But Lex had stayed. He’d put his life on the line for her…for Flossie. And it was something Summer would never forget or take for granted. She was grateful beyond measure.

“Are you an option?” she asked, voice husky.

His lips parted, but no words came out. Finally, he cleared his throat. “Me?” he rasped.

The man was too damn adorable. Sexy as hell, too. Summer sauntered closer, nodding slowly as she gave him a leisurely once-over. Such a tall drink of water. And she was parched.

“Yes, Mr. Battle. I’d like to order you.”

His full attention locked onto her, his chest beginning to rise and fall faster. “I am most definitely an option, my Summer.”

My Summer.

She liked the sound of that. Especially since she hadn’t belonged to anyone in such a very long time. If she were being honest, she’d never truly belonged to Scott. He’d been a mistake. The result of feeling so alone. A little desperate even. But now she was beginning to believe she’d found a man who was incredibly special. And all she wanted to do was forget the danger surrounding them and be as close to him as possible.

“Then c’mere, because I believe I’m ready to taste you. All of you,” she added, unable to hide the desire in her voice. Not wanting to, either. She was far too old to play games, and she wanted Lex to know how much she wanted to put her mouth on him.

“Me first,” he growled.

Between blinks, he scooped her up and tossed her onto the large bed. His heavy body covered her, and his mouth claimed hers in a heated kiss that rocked her world to its very core.

Speaking of cores…

Good Lord, she was an aching, throbbing, pulsing mess of hot need. It felt like lava was flowing through her veins, pumping out to all her organs, and she desperately needed some relief. Maybe I’m having a hot flash.

His warm mouth began trailing along her jawline and then down her neck, dropping kisses in its wake. Moving backward, he kept kissing down, down, down. Lips brushing along her collarbone, dragging between the valley of her breasts, reaching her stomach. Lifting the hem of her nightshirt, he exposed her satin panties and pressed his warm mouth to her naked belly. She sucked in a sharp breath as the tip of his tongue circled her belly button.

“Lex,” she gasped as he slowly slid her panties down, tossing them aside.

His head lifted, those incredibly bright blue eyes locking with hers. “Spread your legs, my sweet Summer, because I’m going to feast on you.”

Oh, God. Curling her fingers into the bedspread, she did as he said. The moment his mouth covered her pussy, she whimpered. Letting go of her control, arching up, beyond desperate, she reveled in the sensations flowing through her body. His tongue licked and then his fingers spread her wider, completely exposing her.

Looking down, she watched as he slowly licked up her slit again and again. Tongue flat and seeking, sometimes spearing inside her. Her hips undulated, encouraging him, but he seemed to be taking his time. Exploring.