Echoes of Three Souls

Chapter 7: Temptation and Truth

^^Scarlett POV

I woke up to the unmistakable smell of something burning, the scent drifting under the door and pulling me from sleep. A groan escaped my lips as I turned over in the sheets, instantly aware of the empty space beside me. Reese wasn't in bed, which could only mean one thing—he was in the kitchen. Cooking.

While Reese could cook, his skillset was... limited. And from the smell, today wasn't going to be one of his successful experiments. Tossing the covers aside, I slipped out of bed, the cool morning air brushing against my skin. I reached for the silk robe hanging on the chair, sliding it over my shoulders before padding out of the bedroom, drawn by the mystery he was likely burning.

The kitchen was a mess of light and shadows as the early sun filtered through the blinds, casting a warm glow over Reese's shirtless figure. He stood in front of the stove, absently stirring what looked like scrambled eggs. But it wasn't the eggs that held my attention. I bit my lip, my gaze tracing the hard lines of his back, the flex of his muscles with each movement. His sweats hung low on his hips, teasing that delicious V-line, the ink on his skin accentuating every contour. God, the man was a walking temptation. How did I get so lucky?

I couldn't resist any longer. With a sly smile, I made my way across the room, sliding my hands around his firm torso, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath my palms.

"Good morning, love," I whispered, pressing myself against his back.

"You're supposed to still be in bed," he murmured, his voice gravelly from sleep.

"Breakfast in bed?" I teased, raising an eyebrow though he couldn't see it.

He hummed in response, but I could feel the smile tugging at his lips.

"For such a big, bad-looking man, you sure have a soft side," I teased, giving his stomach a playful squeeze.

A low chuckle rumbled from his chest. "The burnt toast woke you up, didn't it?"

"Yup," I replied, letting my hands glide lower, nails lightly scratching his skin, tracing the lines along his waist and up that tantalizing V. He sucked in a breath as I pressed soft kisses down the length of his spine.

Suddenly, he turned, catching me off guard. Before I knew it, he lifted me effortlessly, setting me down on the cool marble of the kitchen island. A soft squeal escaped me as my legs instinctively wrapped around him.

"You're such a tease, you know that?" he husked, his voice low and rough as he stepped between my legs, his hands firm on my hips.

His dark eyes met mine, a smirk tugging at his lips, and in that moment, I could feel the heat between us, the unspoken tension that always simmered just beneath the surface. I smiled, knowing exactly what effect I had on him.

"What are you gonna do about it?" I teased, trailing my fingers along his jaw, feeling the roughness of his beard against my skin. His jaw clenched beneath my touch, a telltale sign that I had struck a chord. I leaned back on my elbows, the silk robe slipping further open, teasing him with the soft reveal of my skin. His eyes darkened with hunger, his pupils dilating as he took in the sight of me. I knew that look. I had awakened the beast.

He leaned down, fingers already at the tie of my robe, untying it with a deliberate slowness that made my breath hitch. His lips brushed against my ear, his voice a deep, gravelly whisper that sent a shiver down my spine.

"How about I fuck you? That's what you want, isn't it? You temptress."

I smirked, a rush of heat pooling low in my belly. "You know me so well," I breathed, my voice heavy with desire. I bit down softly on his earlobe, tugging it between my teeth before using my feet to inch his sweats down, feeling the heat of his skin beneath the fabric.