any of Max’s damn business. She didn’t need a protector or a guardian.
But there was something she was craving.
She just had to question if it was the right time and place.
He went to a side door and punched in a code, then entered. Inside there were boxes and shelves, but that was about it. Dodger didn’t hesitate. He walked to the wall and before she knew what was going on, there was a soft click, then the panel slid quietly into the wall. He held out his hand and she clasped it as they stepped through.
A cool rush of air from the stairs brushed her skin. He pressed another panel and the wall behind them snicked closed.
She looked down the winding passageway and turned to him. “Batman?”
He chuckled. “Very funny, Supergirl.”
He led the way down the stairs illuminated by lights along the wall.
“Watch your step,” he said.
When they got to the bottom, he slid against her, pressing her up against the wall. The dual sounds of their bags hitting the floor audible in the enclosed space. “I can’t wait any more for this. You opened the door this morning when you told me about your dreams. I think I’ve been semi-hard ever since.”
“But…your reaction.” His big body hemmed her in and she couldn’t muster any protest as he pressed against her, the feel of all that hardness that she’d longed for now, not only within her reach, but he was surrendering to this crazy “thing” between them. Maybe they were both going mad.
“A guy can only think on one wavelength when a woman says he turns her on, Anna. You blew all the other reactionary wavelengths away, luv.”
“I just thought you didn’t care,” she whispered, lifting her hand and pressing her fingers against his lips, her knees weak, almost ready to buckle. It felt so good to touch him, a balm to her soul.
His face twisted and he sighed. “It’s been agony,” he said. “Things would have happened after Rhonda’s reception if Max hadn’t been so disapproving and invoked the sister rule.”
“And you’re willing to break it. Why?”
“For you. For me. Because I don’t want to resist anymore. It’s ethically wrong, and I don’t want to lose their trust, but some things are just too big, too overwhelming to ignore.”
She smoothed her hand across his back in a reassuring gesture. “This isn’t about them, Oliver. As far as I’m concerned, there are no ethics here. We’re both consenting adults. This is about us, and Max doesn’t make decisions for me. He doesn’t get a say in who I get involved with.”
He gazed down at her, emotion darkening his eyes as he gently brushed a tendril off her face. She could feel the warmth of his breath, her gaze focused tightly on his lips. She wanted to feel them on her so badly she ached.
“You understand my terms, yeah?”
“Yes, I’m fine with them. You know what they say about passion. It does burn out once quenched,” she said, her legs trembling now.
His lips curved. “Brilliant. Let’s give that a go.” He smiled, his eyes locking on hers as he trailed a finger down her cheek, his touch tender and lingering. Then he hooked his knuckles under her chin and lifted her face. His breath feathered across her lips for an instant before his mouth touched hers with infinite gentleness. It was as though she was insulated from every other sensation except that, and she closed her eyes, letting go of every conscious thought. His warmth and strength surrounded her, his touch like silk, yet for all that softness, there was an underlying power, a depth of feeling. She trusted him so deeply, making her feel, above all else, he would always be there for her, no matter what.
And tonight was no different. It was light amidst darkness. It was gentleness amidst strength. A fierce ache constricted her throat, and she tried to will it away, knowing that for now she was safe and protected.
Drawing an unsteady breath, Dodger spanned her jaw with his hand and eased away, cradling her head against his shoulder as he tightened his hold on her. He held her.
She slipped her fingers into that blond hair, and the strands were softer than she could imagine. Everything about him was more than her meager imagination.
She pulled his hair and he chuckled, but his mouth was finally on hers again. This time it was a warrior’s kiss, bold and aggressive, inciting with sheer will and force.