Shift Work (Carus #4) by J.C. McKenzie Read Free Book Online Page B

isn’t going to fix everything here.” He tapped my forehead. “Or here.” He tapped my chest, right over my heart. “I’ll help you anyway I can, but that kind of healing has to come from within. Pressing you for more physically wouldn’t have helped either of us.”
    His hands ran down my arms, his fingers softly entwined with my own. The subtle contact reassuring yet sexy at the same time. I wanted to jump on him, stick to him like a limpet and never let go. Yet, I yearned to continue down at slow pace, to let time and Tristan lead me as I healed from my past. I didn’t want to rush the relationship we continued to build, but I also wanted the physical stuff. I wasn’t a saint. Every nerve ending in my skin screamed for him to touch or lick.
    With a gentle tug, Tristan walked backward and pulled me into the bedroom after him. My mountain lion purred—the sound vibrated through my body and settled deep in my core. Tristan’s chest rumbled in answer, and my knees grew weak.
    Tristan’s white teeth flashed, but I stood mesmerized by the intense blue of his gaze. Heat spread across my body as his arms moved to my waist and shoulders to draw me in, snug up against his body; Popeye to my Olive Oyl.
    Warm lips met mine. They pressed harder and when I opened my mouth, Tristan slipped his devilish tongue in. I could kiss this man forever. He could rob me of oxygen, and I’d still keep going, I’d still crave his kiss, and the taste of his skin. Right now, though, I wanted more. I pulled his body to mine, and deepened the kiss. Tristan growled, and snagged my hair tight in his grip. His strong arms crushed me to his hard chest. His body hummed with his leopard’s purr, rumbling against my breasts. My mountain lion vibrated, pushing her energy against my skin to get closer to Tristan.
    With my head dizzy and my heart pounding, Tristan freed his hands, grabbed the top he despised so much, and ripped it apart. My skinny jeans followed shortly after. Were strength had advantages. Although I might miss my favourite shirt tomorrow.
    My hands drifted to his waist, eager to return the favor. Tristan gently pushed them away and shook his head. Feline yellow flashed across his gaze, his leopard riding him. He wanted to lead.
    Oh, hell. Who was I kidding? I wanted him to lead, too. I sighed and let my arms fall to my side.
    His head ducked down and with a flick of his fingers, my bra popped off to expose my breasts to his mouth. They grew heavy and burned for more. My body throbbed with need, enjoying his torment, but wanting all of him. My mountain lion’s purr strengthened until my whole body vibrated in unison to the ache between my legs.
    Every time my hands moved to act, to help accelerate this exquisite torture, Tristan chuckled and gently deflected my attempts. Not my turn. Not yet.
    His hands grazed my body, caressing in smooth circles across my skin, making my nerves sing. As if he could hear the song, he revisited every sensitive spot that sent my pulse racing and made my breathing shallow.
    I tensed, waiting for nightmares from my past to flare up like a bad case of indigestion and ruin the mood, but the horrid images never came. In Tristan’s arms, safety accompanied the growing sense of belonging and the warmth in my chest. I relaxed in his embrace.
    My hands drifted to his waist again to grip his hips. He let me push him back a little. I fumbled with the zipper of his jeans, but managed to yank his pants down far enough for him to step out of them without taking his mouth off me. My greedy hands moved to his shirt next, and I pulled it over his head. His skin tasted like mojitos as I ran my tongue along the contours of his body.
    More. Need more . The thought so intense, it burned my skin. My mouth travelled along Tristan’s sweet skin.
    He grunted and responded by throwing me backward onto the bed. Before I could move, Tristan’s lips were on me again, this time lower. He ripped my underwear off and tossed them