Emergence (Awakening Series Book 2) by Olivia Hayes Page B

cared for and adored in that way. My eyes watered as I looked at them gazing at each other.
    Two arms wrapped around my waist and then Carson's nose was in the space between my neck and shoulder.
    "You ready to go home?" he asked.
    Dragging my eyes away from the love birds, I turned my face into his neck. "Not tonight Carson. Can I just stay with you?"

Chapter 16
    Carson
    When she asked if she could stay with me it was like a soothing balm washed over me. I couldn't have imagined having to take her home and then going to bed on my own. I was too shaken up and all I wanted and needed was to hold her close to me, and to feel her touch, but I assumed she'd want to get home to Carly.
    Even though Caroline was fine and was back with the man she loved, I was still exhausted from worrying about and searching for her. The relief I felt when she was found alive and well was almost enough to bring me to my knees. Losing her would have torn me in two. She's my sister and my friend. All I wanted right at that moment was a hot shower and a good night's sleep with the comfort of Lou in my arms.
    "You don't need to get home to Carly?" I asked, turning her towards me so I could look her in the eyes.
    The depth of her blue gaze, so warm and tender, was almost my undoing. I wanted to break down and cry right then. This woman, who I'd only just reconnected with, had burrowed into my heart and soul already, cementing her place there like no other before her. I felt so fortunate that she was there with me, that she had chosen me to spend time with.
    "No. Carly will already be asleep so I'll just wait and see her in the morning."
    "We'll pick her up and spend the day with her," I said, wanting to get to know Carly and spend as much time with Lou as possible. "Have you taken her to the beach yet?"
    "Not yet," she said, smiling up at me warmly, her eyes sparkling.
    "Good. We'll do it together," I said, kissing her on the head before taking her hand. "But for now, let's go to my place and get some rest."
    When we arrived at my parent's house in Savannah I showed Lou inside, taking her straight upstairs to my room. I knew my parents would be going back to Bluffton, and I had no doubt that Caroline was going home with Luke, so we had the house to ourselves.
    I started the water in the shower and pulled out an extra towel for Lou.
    "Go ahead and get in. I'm just going to grab you something of Caroline's to wear to bed. She won't mind."
    Lou nodded and I walked back into the bedroom, kicking off my shoes and pulling my shirt over my head. When I turned around to head down to Caroline's room, I caught sight of Lou's back in the mirror. She'd stripped off her shirt already and was reaching to pull out her messy ponytail.
    My body responded instantly to her golden skin and the toned muscles moving underneath. I wanted to run my tongue down her spine and kiss the dip of her lower back before making my way between her legs to savor her nectar. I shuddered at the memory of how sweet she tasted and hurried down the hall to borrow some clothes for her.
    When I got back to my room I pulled off my jeans and boxers, both covered in a thin layer of dust and sweat, and kicked them into the corner of my closet.
    The thought of Lou naked in the shower had my mind in overdrive and my body on fire. It had been days since I'd touched her intimately and I wasn't going to let exhaustion or the stress of the past few days stop me now. Not while she was naked and wet in the next room.
    I opened the shower door and stepped inside. She faced away from me and her long dark hair fell to the curve of her back, dripping water between the swells of her ass as she stood under the streaming showerhead. I was tempted to gather the droplets up with my tongue. But as I moved in behind her I ran my palms over her hips and up to cup her breasts.
    "Mmm," she moaned, leaning back into my chest. "That feels nice."
    "I've missed you this week," I whispered in her ear.
    "It's really been a