Grind (Powertools The Original Crew Returns #3)- Jayne Rylon Page 0,26

slack, her arms hanging at her sides. “Nothing is the same. Everything I thought I knew about myself is gone and keeps changing.”

“Everything?” Dave asked, rubbing her shoulders.

“Okay, no. I’m so glad I have you.” She hugged him so tight he let out an oof. “Without you and the crew I would really be drifting right now. What seems right one minute feels completely wrong the next. It’s scary and freaking me out. So don’t you do that to me, too. Don’t let go no matter what, okay?”

“Never.” Dave crushed her to him, helping her relax. He sighed. “Life isn’t a straight path, Kayla. We’ve been lucky it’s been a while since the road we were on took a sharp turn, but as long as we’re traveling it together, everything’s going to be okay."

She took a deep breath and then another as what he said sank in. “You’re right.”

“I know, because I learned that from you.” He pulled her back far enough that he could stare into her eyes. “After my accident you saved me. So let me be there for you now. Not that I think you need rescuing, but I want to at least hold your hand while you kick ass and start off in whatever new direction you decide to go in.”

Kayla blinked up at her husband, wondering how she got so damn lucky in life. She’d do well to remember exactly how much she had to be grateful for, starting with him. “You’re sexy as hell, you know that?”

Dave laughed, turning a bit pink under his silvery scruff. “That wasn’t the reaction I thought I’d get but, hey, I’ll take it.”

“What else will you take?” Kayla turned seductive, needing for one moment to have some control. And here, with her husband, she knew exactly how to put herself in charge, even when he took the lead.

“Are you telling me you want to make love with me?” Dave asked, tipping his head. “Now? In the middle of all this? You’ve already had a rough day. Are you sure?”

“Don’t bruise my ego. It’s already taken a big enough hit lately.” Kayla hesitated. “I need you.”

“I’m not saying no, believe me.” Dave advanced until his hands rested on her hips. They were so big, they constantly impressed her, reminding her of how strong he was and how safe he would keep her. “Do I ever say no to you?”

“You did a minute ago. And I kind of liked it.” She grinned until he growled and covered her hint of a smile with his lips.

Dave wasn’t gentle like James or smooth like Joe. He was blunt and direct and a little bit unwieldy at times. She loved that about him. How he was raw and real and, most of all, hers. She loved that about him best.

She put her arms around his neck and hopped, wrapping her legs around his muscled waist. He clutched her, grabbing her butt, but still, he staggered a bit off balance with his bum leg.

She didn’t doubt he could handle it, though. Handle her. So she clung to him and busied herself with nuzzling his neck, breathing deep of the scent of spice and soap that she associated with him and comfort. She kissed his jaw as he walked her backward and crashed to Devon, Neil, and James’s bed face up.

“Is it weird to get it on in our friends’ bed without them in it?” Dave wondered as they bounced.

“Serves Devon right.” Kayla knew she was being petty and that her argument with the other woman had been mostly her fault. But she couldn’t think about that right then or she’d lose her mojo.

“We can make it up to them later.” Dave kissed Kayla softly, taking away the lingering ache from her argument. Figures he’d understand she needed that.

He rubbed her back as he nudged the straps of her tank top off her shoulders. And in between one breath and the next he’d gotten rid of it. How he managed to do it with his thick fingers, she wouldn’t ever figure out, but he was adept at unhooking her bra and helping her shed the rest of her clothes.

And then she was doing her part to get rid of his, pushing his shirt up until she couldn’t reach any higher and he took over, ripping it above his head and dropping it to the ground, utterly forgotten.

Kayla couldn’t wait to feel his skin against hers, to know that he was there and this at least