Dusk (Dangerous Web #1) - Aleatha Romig Page 0,18

flexed and his biceps bulged. Even his thighs and ass were muscular. I could stare for hours on end.

Statues of Greek and Roman gods had nothing on the man who had stolen my heart and satisfied my body. When we were all together, I found myself envisioning what was hidden beneath his jeans and shirts. Even with the other men present, those images along with memories of what he’d done and was capable of doing had me fidgeting in my chair and dampening my panties.

I reached for his hand as he started to stand. “I’m sorry if it’s me.”

Reid’s smile grew as he turned, taking me in. His gaze raked from my messy red hair all the way to my toes, lingering too long at the places in between. “It’s not you, Lorna. Right now, with everything that’s happening, the time I get to spend with you are the fucking best minutes of the day.”

My skin tingled from the way his eyes had washed over me, and my lips curled into a smile from his words. “Then maybe you don’t need to leave yet?”

He splayed his fingers over my stomach, the warmth settling heavily between my legs. It didn’t matter that he’d just satisfied me, brought me to the best orgasm twice, seeing him in all his naked perfection only made me want more. “If I don’t go, I’ll keep you locked in my apartment all night and then what will happen?”

“I’ll probably die of too many orgasms.”

He grinned. “Is that a fatal ailment?”

“I’m willing to find out.” As I spoke, Reid’s phone pinged with a text message. “Maybe you could turn that off?”

The clouds of worry returned as he lifted the phone from the bedside stand. “Fuck.”

There was something alarming in his tone, in that one word. “Reid? Is everything all right?”

“Shit, get dressed.”

Our playful banter was over. His order didn’t offer room for questioning.

As he stepped into his blue jeans, slid his feet into shoes, and pulled a soft shirt over his head, I hurriedly dressed, putting on my panties, bra, jeans, and blouse. Before I could make sure everything was in place, Reid had my hand and tugged me toward the front of his apartment. Beyond the bedroom, down the hall, past the empty dining room and into the living room, furnished with a bachelor’s necessities—a recliner, side table, and television.

“Wait,” I tried to slow a man easily twice my size. “I need my shoes.”

He turned, his brown eyes wide. “Lorna, it’s Mason.”

My heart beat against my chest in double time. “Mason? Is he okay?”

“He thinks you’re missing. He’s searching for you.”

“Fuck,” I murmured.

It was then Reid opened the door that led to the common area near the elevator. I wasn’t through the door when he called, “Mason.”

My feet stilled beside Reid.

Standing at the elevator, phone in hand, was my brother. He spun toward us, his green eyes aflame with genuine concern. The clock stilled. Time forgot to move as Mason scanned Reid and me.

Shit, I hadn’t looked in the mirror.

Do I look as freshly fucked as I feel?

I swallowed and stood taller. “Mason, Reid got your text.” I prayed my voice sounded calmer than I felt. “I’m good. Didn’t mean to worry you.”

My brother didn’t respond, not to me. His stare was fixed on Reid.

The time that earlier hadn’t moved suddenly accelerated. In the moment it took me to blink, Reid had pulled me behind him, and Mason had crossed the room, now standing directly before Reid.

“You fucking dick.”

Lorna

The tower - nine years ago

“What the hell are you doing with my sister?” Mason growled as simultaneously, his fist collided with Reid’s cheek.

My hands sprang to my lips as I let out a stifled scream. “Stop! Mason, stop.”

What happened next was too fast to choreograph.

Reid reached for Mason’s elbows.

While I’d thought Reid was all muscle, I was seeing proof of it now.

In an instant, Reid had Mason’s arms secured behind his back. His voice lowered to a rumbling snarl as he spoke near Mason’s ear. “He’ll throw her out. Is that what you want?”

“Fucking let go of me.”

“Mason.” I leaned down, crouching low and meeting his gaze. “Reid hasn’t done anything I didn’t want.”

With flared nostrils and clenched jaw, my brother closed his eyes momentarily. When he opened his eyes again, he looked back at Reid and spoke through gritted teeth. “Let. Go. Of. Me.”

Reid’s grip loosened.

Mason stood, shook his arms, and straightened his shoulders. “You,” he said, pointing at me, “go in our apartment. Don’t come