Dating the Boss (Blue Harbor #2) - Jaclyn Osborn Page 0,32

looked miserable. He looked peaceful in fact. And so damn handsome.

“You’re welcome.”

He was asleep in minutes. I watched him a moment, seeing how the flickering light of the fire cast shadows on his strong jaw and high cheekbones. His cupid’s bow lips.

A few months ago, Quinn had asked if I was interested in anyone. I’d told him that it didn’t matter, that I couldn’t have the person I wanted anyway. As I stared at Daniel, I felt that truth much too deeply.

Some things just weren’t meant to be.

Chapter Eight

Daniel

I woke to silver light coming in through the window. Flurries fell from the white sky beyond it, the winter wind blowing them off course.

Would it ever stop snowing?

A soft sigh reached my ears, one that sounded way too close and tickled my skin. Shock had my heart thumping harder against my ribs as I realized Reed was nestled in my arms, his face resting at the base of my neck. We lay in the center of the bed holding each other.

Shit.

As much as I wanted to blame it on the cold, I knew that, deep down, I had wanted to hold him in my arms. I had for quite some time. Unable to stop myself, I pressed my face into his light brown hair. The soft strands held traces of smoke from the fire and something sweet. He made an adorable sound and snuggled closer, his hand gripping my shirt.

You can’t do this, I reminded myself.

Thinking it’d be a bad idea for him to wake up and find himself against me, I carefully slid my arm out from under him and scooted back to my side of the bed. The sheets were cold, and I instantly missed his warmth. His closeness.

Careful not to wake him, I got out of bed and grabbed a change of clothes before going into the bathroom, softly shutting the door behind me. There was a small stand-up shower in the corner, as well as an old-timey claw-foot bathtub. A hot, relaxing bath sounded great, but Reed would probably wake up any minute, and I didn’t want to hog the bathroom. So, I opted for the shower and started the water so it could start heating.

Once it was at the right temperature, I discarded my clothes and stepped beneath the stream of hot water, expelling a satisfied sigh as it hit the top of my head and cascaded down my shoulders. If luck was on our side, we’d be able to head home today.

Then again, spending another day—another night—with Reed wouldn’t be too bad. A huge part of me even wanted it. Craved it, just like I craved him.

Stop.

I heaved a frustrated sigh and ran the shampoo through my hair before rinsing it and washing my body. A very specific part of my body begged for attention, and with the memory of Reed’s scent still at the forefront of my mind, I slid a hand down my wet chest and stomach and took hold of myself.

Picturing his plump lips and bedroom hazel eyes, I stroked from root to tip, slow at first before gradually getting faster. I would’ve given anything to push into Reed’s tight heat, to feel his nails claw my back as I pounded into him. I bet he would’ve made the sweetest sounds too. My spine tingled as pressure built inside me, begging to be released. I tilted my head back and panted heavily as my orgasm hit.

After rinsing off, I stepped out of the shower and ran the towel over my body before wrapping it around my hips and approaching the mirror above the sink to shave. My eyes looked different. I leaned closer to the mirror to inspect my face. It hit me then that I appeared more relaxed. I’d been stressed and overworked for as long as I could remember.

And now? I felt more like my old self. Crazy what just a few days could do.

Once I finished shaving, I dressed and left the bathroom.

“Good morning,” Reed said, sitting on the edge of the bed, his hair adorably messy. He must’ve just woken up.

“Morning.” Seeing him right after jerking off to the thought of him made me a little uncomfortable. Maybe a bit guilty too. “Shower’s all yours.”

“You sure you didn’t steal all the hot water?” he asked in a raspy morning voice, tossing me a sleepy smirk as he got to his feet. The oversized sweater hung off his thin shoulder, showing a patch of light freckles on his porcelain