In Deeper by Christy Gissendaner Read Free Book Online

her? It had to be unhealthy to be in a state of constant arousal around her. Even now, he could recall the rose scent of her, and it sent another rush of blood straight to his cock.
    “Micah?”
    At first, he thought he imagined her voice, but it was difficult to ignore the firm knock on the door that followed. He closed his eyes and gathered what little of his self-control remained before rolling to a sit and reaching for his boxers. He pulled the plaid material up his legs and left them sitting low on his hips, enough to hint at modesty, but not enough to hide his erection. She’d showed up at his room at past three in the morning. She deserved to be treated to an eyeful.
    He crossed the room, undid the dead bolt, and yanked the door open. Celeste stood before him, still dressed in the clothes she’d worn earlier. He tightened his grip on the door handle and prayed for patience. “What is it?”
    She appeared unsure of herself, not a common occurrence. “I can’t sleep.”
    He dropped his forehead against the door. “That makes two of us.”
    “Can I come in?”
    It was a mistake, but he ignored his self-protective instincts and opened the door enough to allow her entrance. She brushed past him, the familiar scent of her hair and skin wrapping around his heart like a noose and choking him in tiny tendrils of need. “Celeste…”
    She’d reached the center of the room, but she pivoted to face him and held up a staying hand. “Before you say anything, give me a chance to explain. I was drunk. I can’t deny it. Drunker than I’ve ever been in my life. It wasn’t for the reason you suspected. I didn’t drink to hide my sorrow at losing Drake. He never mattered. Not in that way. He was the alpha. I respected him, but I never desired him. I got drunk that night to fight my feelings for you.” He made a sound, and she continued without missing a beat, “Scoff if you wish, but that’s the God’s honest truth. I wanted you, Micah. You were there, all ridiculously good-looking, and I took a chance and threw myself at you.”
    His lips curled into a smile. “Did you just quote Zoolander ?”
    She threw her hand up and growled. “I’m being serious.”
    “I am, too.” He enjoyed teasing her, the way it made her cheeks turn pink with frustration. “I never joke about Ben Stiller movies.”
    She closed her eyes and her lips moved silently, almost as if she prayed for patience. When she reopened them, her eyes blazed with golden heat. “I came here to make a point.”
    He crossed his arms over his chest and watched her. “Then make it.”
    She took a step closer, pausing for a moment, before taking another. “I want you. Not because you’re a Randolph. Not because you’re familiar and safe. I want you.”
    The tight leash he held on his control snapped. “Goddamn it, Celeste. You don’t know what you do to me. You and I? We make no sense together. None at all. You’d be better off chasing Max.”
    “I don’t want Max.” Her fingers moved to the strings lacing up the front of her corset and undid the top knot. “Don’t make me beg.”
    If she didn’t stop, he feared drool would soon escape his mouth. “This is a bad idea.”
    Her fingers stilled, and she gave him a hard look. “I never took you for a coward.”
    Normally he would take her comment as patronizing and deliver a rude or curt response, but beneath her tone he sensed the hurt and rejection she fought so hard to hide. He was drawn to her despite good intentions and common sense. He wanted another taste. Just once more. And then he could go back to idolizing her from afar. He reached a decision, one he hoped wouldn’t come back to bite him in the ass.
    “Come here.” He crooked a finger at her.
    True to her contrary nature, Celeste cocked an eyebrow. “You come here.”
    “Celeste,” he warned in a low tone. “I’m not playing.”
    She tilted her chin and gave him a sideways look. “If you want me, you’ll have to come get