deep in thought. “Wait a minute. I have an idea.” He leaned in closer to tell Dwight.
“Let me catch my breath a minute,” Avery begged Bryan, hands on her knees.
“Oh come on now.” Bryan put a hand on her lower back. “It was just ten flights.”
“You’re not even winded, are you?” She straightened, appraising him.
“I keep in good shape.”
“Yeah apparently, you do.” She ran her gaze over his taut upper body and long sinewy legs. “But I’d have thought the smoking would slow you down.”
“I’m more of a casual smoker.” He grinned. “It’s more of an image thing for me.”
“If you say so.” Her eyebrow rose skeptically.
“I could stop anytime I wanted,” he said in a teasing tone, lifting his chin. “Come on. You’ve obviously recovered enough to bust my balls about my bad habits.”
Outside his door, he inserted the key card and pushed it open with one hand, taking her hand with the other. The room was dark and cold. Only in Texas would the air conditioner be blowing in the middle of the winter.
“Aren’t you gonna flip on the lights?” she asked softly.
He turned and pulled her into him, adjusting his stance so there was no remaining space between them. His body was hard against hers. There was no misinterpreting how much he wanted her. Her mouth went dry and her palms got sweaty.
“You still want me to put on the lights, Red?” he prompted, voice low and husky.
“No.” She slid her hands up into the hair at his nape, finding it soft and silky to the touch. Her stomach flipped.
“Don’t be nervous,” he whispered.
“Why do you think I’m nervous?” she wondered out loud.
“I can feel you heart beating a mile a minute.” He removed his hands from her waist and threaded them into her hair, framing her face in his hands. “Relax, Red. Just follow my lead.” His warm breath ghosted across her lips right before his lips did. They were warm and firm and surprisingly gentle as he moved them against hers.
She felt…Nothing.
Well, almost nothing. He was a handsome, sexy guy after all. She did get tingly in certain places, but she didn’t feel at all consumed like she did whenever Marcus kissed her. Maybe she just wasn’t trying hard enough. She pressed tighter to Bryan.
“Mmm,” he murmured, picking up on her cue to deepen the kiss. His lips no longer gentle but insistent, he forced his tongue into her mouth.
She wanted to want it there. She wanted to want him. She wanted to erase Marcus from her mind, but…
Waaaah! Waaaah! Waaaah!
“What the fuck?” Bryan lifted his head.
“It’s the fire alarm,” Avery realized, the white flashing blinding her eyes when she looked up into it.
“Please proceed immediately to the nearest fire exit.” A voice came over the speaker out in the hall. “Do not use the elevators. This is not a drill.”
“Shitty timing,” Bryan muttered, taking her hand.
“Yeah,” she agreed, not quite truthfully, letting him lead her out of the room and down the stairs.
Avery scanned the crowded lobby, watching as people made their way out of the building. She noticed a few familiar faces milling around the indoor fountains and spotted the rest of the Tempest guys near the front desk.
“There’s War.” Bryan squeezed her hand. “I’m gonna see if he knows what’s going on.”
“Ok.” She watched him leave, grateful for a few moments alone to sort through her feelings. Suddenly, warm, strong arms enveloped her from behind. Familiar evergreen aftershave filled her nostrils. “Marcus.” She tried to pull away.
“Stay,” he breathed against her neck. “You’re cold.” He ran familiar hands against the chilled flesh of her arms.
She shivered, but not from the cold. And that made her mad. How could she let him affect her this way after all that he had done? She moved out of his embrace and spun around to face him. Her green eyes flashed. “I told you not to touch me anymore.”
He put his hands up in the air. “Just trying to help while your boy is occupied.” His lips curved up wickedly.
Avery’s eyes narrowed. “You!” She wagged an accusing finger. “You did this.”
He shrugged.
“You bastard. Stay. Out. Of. My. Life.” She punctuated each word with a push to his rock hard chest.
He glanced down at her hands where they rested on his pecs. She registered the warmth and the strength of him beneath her palms before he trapped her fingers with his own. His blue eyes locked on hers.
“No,” he refused without remorse. “I won’t.”
“Yes, Marcus,” she pleaded.