Her Marine Next Door - Aliyah Burke Page 0,13

Content that she wasn’t standing in her garage naked, she sidled to the left and paused when he followed.

“We’ll be over in about ten minutes, Gemma. Get yourself unpacked in the guest room, and we’ll go from there.”

Even as he issued his orders in a hard voice, he never took his gaze from her, and Skylar swayed toward him, needing more contact. He didn’t stop her. In fact, he encouraged her to settle against his chest. The touch of his hand along her nape was so protective and proprietary, it brought tears to her eyes. She swore her body temperature ratcheted up, and she had to name it something, so she called it lust.

Skylar longed to explore him. All over.

Shaking off the feeling, she turned and headed inside, aware he was behind her. So close.

Alpin met them at the door, and she couldn’t help the smile when Parker knelt down and began petting her dog.

“What’s this guy’s name again? Alpin, right?”

“Alpin. Yes.” Loves dogs and is taking responsibility for a kid who may or may not be his. Crap, he was like the perfect guy.

No hint of the asshole neighbor who seemed to pride himself on pissing her off or just being an annoyance.

“Hey, Alpin,” he murmured.

She took the moment to bolt, needing to get some space between them so she could work this out. Unfortunately, the plan didn’t go how she’d envisioned it would. He gripped her waist and halted her in the doorway to her room.

“Skylar.”

If it was her turning toward him or him doing it for her, she’d never know. All she did know was they were once again face-to-face, and her body was rebelling against reining in the lust coursing through her.

She flicked her tongue over her lips and watched the green in his eyes deepen as he stepped closer. “Yes?”

“Thank you.”

A million more appropriate responses flew around in her mind than the one that came out. “Kiss me.”

Skin heating the moment the words fell from her mouth, she squeezed her eyes shut and held up her hands. “Forget I said that.”

His deep laugh tugged on her clit. “Not a chance. And I want to kiss you, more than anything, but Jesus Christ, Skylar. I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop, and we have to go over there and make sure they’re not doing something to my house.”

That was the reality smack she needed.

“Your son won’t do anything. He’s a boy, not a vandal.”

He dragged his gaze up from her chest over her lips and on, until their eyes locked once more.

“I have a feeling I’m going to get a lot of lectures from you. I’m looking forward to it.” He braced one arm beside her head and put his lips on hers in a light caress. “So much so.”

She gulped. “I have to change.”

“Don’t let me stop you.”

What was he doing? She recognized the challenge in his eyes, glinting.

“Okay.” Sliding by him, she lifted the hem of her shirt and began pulling it over her head.

“Fuck.” His guttural, near animalistic, growl raced along her skin.

She dropped her shirt beside her feet and peered over her shoulder. Cocking an eyebrow, she reached for the waistband of her dirty jeans. He swallowed a few times but didn’t move. At least not until his phone rang. Only then did he step away.

Her hands trembled as she finished changing, then headed to the living room where he was still on his call. Retreating to the kitchen to provide him with a bit more privacy, she refilled Alpin’s water dish and gripped the counter with her uninjured hand.

Can I truly do this? Or will I crack and let my past pour free? She flexed her fingers. This isn’t anything permanent. We’ll agree on that. No need to get attached. Just get my rocks off, maybe a few times, and put up with a man in my life for a short time.

Short was relative, when she realized she had no idea how long it took to get DNA results back.

She could do this. The important thing was to make it easiest on the boy. She had enough of her own demons and past; what was a little more discomfort if it made it easier for Cullen?

“Ready?” He smoothed his hand along her cheek. Almost like he couldn’t stop touching her.

And I’m a sucker who’s going to fall for it.

“No.”

He paused, one eyebrow slowly rising.

“I don’t know a single thing about you, Mr. Jax.”

His kissable lips turned up at the