Chapter 23
Eli came back to himself bathed in heat. Bright light was spilling over the bed, drowning his skin in warmth raw and powerful—but more welcome was the hot pass of a thumb rubbing lazy circles into the skin of his belly, dangerously low. His back was pressed into steel muscle overlaid with soft skin and hair, the rasp of stubble shifting against his neck and shoulder with every breath. The arm over his waist was heavy, the hand it controlled left purposefully low, almost cupping Eli’s naked flesh. It made Eli feel completely surrounded in heat, weight, and safety.
He arched his shoulder back into that scratch, and a kiss emerged from the stubble to press itself into his neck, silent and certain. The thumb stilled, and the hand pressed a little firmer into Eli’s crotch. Wet heat
