Chapter 8: Heat Behind Closed Doors

“We make a great team, you know that?” she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.

Rhys smiled, his hands gently caressing her back. “We do,” he agreed, his eyes softening as he looked down at her. “But right now, I think we both need a moment to catch our breath.” Sarah nodded, stepping back and meeting his gaze. Let’s get cleaned up.”

As they entered her apartment, Sarah headed straight for the bathroom. She reached for the door, but before she could close it, Rhys’ hand shot out, stopping it from shutting. He stepped inside, his eyes never leaving hers. “What are you doing?” she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

Rhys’ eyes were dark with desire, but his voice was steady. “I think we need to talk about what just happened.

Both of us, together,” Rhys said, his voice firm yet gentle. Before Sarah could respond, Rhys turned on the shower, the water streaming out in a heavy cascade. “Wait, what are you doing?” Sarah asked, her eyes wide with surprise as the water started to soak her clothes. “Relaxing,” Rhys replied, a small smile playing on his lips as he stepped under the waterfall, his clothes already clinging to his body. “We’ve both been through a lot today. We need to unwind.” Sarah hesitated, her mind racing as she looked at Rhys, his wet hair already plastered to his head, his shirt molding to his muscular chest. “Rhys, this isn’t a good idea. We can’t just ... forget about what happened out there.” Rhys’ smile softened, his eyes meeting hers. “I know, Sarah.

But first, we need to get out of these wet clothes,” Rhys said, making sure they were both fully soaked before he stopped the shower and opened the bathroom door. “Come on,” he urged, taking her hand and leading her back into the living room. Sarah let out a small laugh, feeling a sense of exhilaration and relief at the same time. She knew they needed to talk, but for now, she was happy to just go along with Rhys’ plan. They stepped into the living room, their footsteps leaving wet imprints on the tiles. Rhys looked around, his eyes landing on the couch. “Let’s sit down,” he suggested, pulling Sarah towards the sofa. She hesitated for a moment, her mind going back to what had happened earlier. But Rhys’ expression was serious, his eyes holding hers. “We need to talk, Sarah. About what just happened.

And about us. This is my style to talk, Sarah,” Rhys said, his voice soft yet determined. He reached for the buttons of Sarah’s uniform shirt, his fingers working deftly to unfasten each one. Sarah’s heart skipped a beat as she watched him, her mind racing with a mix of confusion and anticipation. “Rhys, what ... what are you doing?” she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper. Rhys looked up, his eyes meeting hers, a small smile playing on his lips. “I’m taking this off,” he said simply, slipping the shirt off her shoulders and letting it fall to the floor. Sarah’s breath hitched, her body suddenly feeling vulnerable and exposed. She wrapped her arms around herself, her eyes darting away from Rhys’ intense gaze.

“Rhys, I ... I can’t. Not like this. Not now.” Rhys’ hands paused, his fingers brushing against the cool metal of the badge pinned to her uniform. His eyes searched hers, his voice barely above a whisper. “Sarah, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time. I’ve wanted to kiss you, to hold you, to ... to take you out of that uniform ever since we first met.” He closed the distance between them, his hands gently cupping her face as he leaned in, his breath warm on her lips. “I’ve wanted to do this for so long,” he murmured, his lips brushing against hers in a soft, tender kiss. Sarah’s heart pounded in her chest, her body aching with a mixture of desire and fear. She knew she should pull away, that they shouldn’t be doing this, not now, not like this.

But as Rhys’ lips brushed against hers, she found herself melting into him, her body responding to his touch. His hands moved to her shoulders, his fingers deftly unbuttoning her shirt, his lips never leaving hers. The cool air hit her skin as he pulled her shirt away, leaving her in her bra and pants. A gasp escaped her lips, a mix of surprise and excitement. She knew she should stop this, that they shouldn’t be doing this, but her body was betraying her, aching for him. She reached for him, her hands mimicking his actions, unbuttoning his shirt, her fingers brushing against his warm skin. She pushed his shirt off his shoulders, her hands moving to his pants, unbuckling his belt, unzipping his fly. She paused for a moment, her eyes meeting his, a silent question in her gaze.

Rhys smiled, a slow, sensual curve of his lips, his eyes never leaving hers as he gently lifted her into his arms. Sarah gasped, her arms instinctively wrapping around his neck as he carried her out of the living room and down the hallway to her bedroom. She looked down at herself, her mind racing as she realized she was still in her bra and police pants, a sense of vulnerability and excitement coursing through her veins. Rhys kicked the bedroom door shut behind them, his arms still wrapped around her as he carried her to the bed. He stood her on her feet at the edge of the mattress, his hands moving to her waist, his fingers gently unbuckling her belt. Sarah’s breath hitched as he leaned in, his lips capturing hers in a slow, passionate kiss. She could feel the heat of his body against hers, the roughness of his fingers as they brushed against her skin.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she reached for the waistband of his boxers, her hands trembling slightly as she tugged them down, revealing him fully to her gaze. She had seen him before, but not like this, not with the same raw, primal need that coursed through her veins now. She took him in her hand, her breath hitching as she felt the silk-over-steel smoothness of him, the weight of him in her palm. Rhys groaned, his head falling back as his eyes fluttered closed, his body shuddering under her touch. Sarah felt a surge of power, of desire, at the sight of him, at the sound of his pleasure. She wanted more.

But Rhys had other plans. He opened his eyes, his gaze locking onto hers as he leaned in, capturing her lips in a searing, possessive kiss.

His hands moved to her hips, his fingers deftly unbuttoning her police pants, pushing them down over her curves, until they pooled at her ankles. Sarah gasped against his mouth, the sudden exposure making her feel both vulnerable and powerful. Rhys broke the kiss, his breathing ragged as he looked at her, his eyes dark with desire. “I want you to see what I see,” he murmured, his voice hoarse with need. He turned her around, his hands gentle yet firm as he guided her towards the full-length mirror that hung on the bedroom wall. Sarah’s heart pounded in her chest as she caught a glimpse of herself in the reflection, standing in her bra and stocking-clad legs, her hair slightly disheveled, her cheeks flushed with arousal. Rhys stood behind her, his body a hard, warm press against her back, his hands resting on her hips.

He met her gaze in the mirror, his eyes reflecting the same desire she felt. “Look,” he whispered, his breath hot on her ear, a subtle command threaded through his voice. Sarah watched as Rhys’ hands moved from her hips, tracing the line of her waist, the curve of her ribs, until they reached the clasp of her bra. With a quick flick of his fingers, he unhooked it, and Sarah felt the cool air kiss her skin as the lace fell away, leaving her breasts bare in the mirror. She gasped, her eyes widening as she saw herself, all her secrets laid bare, reflected in the glass. Rhys’ hands continued their exploration, skimming over her skin, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. He hooked his fingers into the lace of her panties, tugging them down slowly, inch by inch, until they joined her bra on the floor.

Sarah’s breath hitched, her body aching with anticipation as she watched them in the mirror, their reflections entwined. Rhys’ hands moved to her hair, his fingers gently combing through the damp locks. “Sarah,” he whispered, his voice a low rasp, “look.” His eyes held hers in the mirror, his gaze intense, almost reverent. “You’re beautiful. So beautiful.” He paused, his brow furrowing slightly as he studied her. “But there’s something missing.” Sarah’s heart skipped a beat, her mind racing with possibilities. What could he possibly see that she didn’t? Rhys let go of her hair, his hands moving to the clasp at the nape of her neck. “Close your eyes,” he murmured, his fingers working the clasp open.