by Geri Krotow
Colt leaned back in his chair, his hands behind his head. “You will.”
* * *
“You don’t have to tell me all the juicy details, but it’s obvious you’re different. Something happened when you were out in the field with Luther.” Annie absently petted Koshka as they lay side by side on the leather sofa. Kit was on the other side of the great room, cleaning up her meal. She and Annie were alone in the more relaxed, living area of the safe house, and she’d told Annie most of what had happened at the cabin. Annie was spending time with her while Josh was working. Josh and several dual SVPD/TH operatives were running the operations center adjacent to the safe house, for the duration of the Ivanov/Markova takedown.
“I am different. And I know you’ll think that I’m being too hasty, but there’s something between Luther and I that I haven’t ever felt.”
“Why do you think I’d ever consider you as being ‘hasty’ about anything? You’re the most thoughtful person I know, Kit.”
“I haven’t had enough experience with men yet. Didn’t you say I should date a lot of guys before settling down?” She shook her head. “Not that I’m thinking of settling down.” She knew her red face betrayed her.
Annie got up from the couch, carrying Koshka with her. “Hold on. Yes, I think it’d be ideal to see how you feel about different men. But you have all kinds of experience, Kit. Just not the happiest type.” Annie wriggled into one of the island chairs, and Koshka jumped out of her arms. “Sorry, kitty. Look, I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. If you’ve met someone who’s made this much of an impression on you in such a short time, it might be more than just the fact that he’s the first guy you’ve ever really chosen to be with.”
Kit didn’t know what to think. But she knew what she felt. “I think Luther’s special.”
“Then you need to tell him, Kit. Life’s too short—”
“Don’t you think I know that? I thought he might die out there.” She choked back tears, held her wobbly chin up. “I couldn’t go to him in the hospital. It was too risky—if any of Mishka’s men are still tracking me, I’d lead them to Luther.”
“That’s not really it, is it?” Annie’s tone made Kit want to rage and laugh at the same time.
“Yes. No. I don’t know.”
“I think you do. How much time do you have until your next shift starts?”
“I’m back on at 0400.”
“Come back into town with me. I’ll drop you off, and Josh can bring you back when he heads in for his shift.”
“I can’t go back to my apartment.” Kit remembered Claudia and Colt had been clear that she wasn’t safe until they had ROC neutralized.
“Not your apartment. The only condo in Silver Valley that is as fortified, electronically, as this place.”
Luther’s apartment.
* * *
Kit’s knees shook as she walked the steps to Luther’s apartment. It wasn’t because she was afraid of what she wanted. She had nothing but joyful anticipation for what she hoped happened tonight. Nor was she concerned about being away from the safe house for this short time. Annie had promised that Josh would be here to get her before dawn, in enough time to make her next shift at the comms station.
It’d been tough when she’d asked Claudia for the break from the safe house. The main concern on both Claudia’s and Colt’s part was Kit’s safety. Kit assured Claudia that she’d be escorted to and from the safe house by other TH agents and that she planned to stay at Luther’s. Claudia had given her the okay, no further questions asked.
What neither Claudia nor Colt knew was that she hadn’t run her plan past Luther. She’d tried to reach him all week since the shooting and he’d done no more than texted short replies, stating he was “fine” and “back at work.” But he never stopped in the safe house, and she had a hunch it had everything to do with her and his not wanting to see her.
She walked up to his door and took in a deep breath. As she’d told Annie, she might be new at real intimacy but wasn’t an innocent. Kit knew that what she and Luther shared was more than sexual chemistry, and wanted to prove it to him, to herself. Tonight.
She raised her hand to the buzzer. Before she made contact, the door opened and Luther was in front of her. A little paler than she’d last seen him, but far more vibrant. Standing in front of her, his gaze steady and intense as ever.
“Oh! I—”
“Come in here.” His hand grasped her upper arm and in one smooth move he had her up against his chest, his back on the wall. He shut the door with his hand, the other arm wrapped around her waist.
“Luther—”
“No talking, Kit.” He wrapped the other arm around her, pulled her up tight against him. “Except—how much time do you have?”
“Until four.” Eight hours until she had to leave. She watched his expression as he comprehended her reply. Heat grew in her midsection, spreading to her breasts, her sex. All the planned speeches that she’d mentally practiced over and over failed her in the face of her need for him.
“We have all night.” He gave her a quick, hard kiss. His lips left hers too quickly and she leaned in, but he shook his head and gently broke the embrace. “Then forget what I said—we should talk first.”
He walked into the living room, and she had no idea but to follow. It was the same as she’d last seen it, before they’d gone into the field. Faced with something so tangibly a part of who she’d been just a short ten days ago, the truth hit her like a wash of ice water.
She was in love with Luther.
“I’ll make us some tea, since alcohol is out.” He was in the kitchen, pouring water into a small pot. “We might not have until morning, if word comes down sooner that Ivanov and Markova are on their way to the ROC meeting.”
“I know.” She made a slow walk to the sofa, where she sat. Space from Luther wasn’t what she’d expected to need tonight, but she had to take a moment to process what she’d just discovered.
“You want an herbal or straight black?”
“Herbal’s fine.” She tried to make her voice steadier than she felt.
They grew quiet as he boiled the water. Kit saw that he had his security system in place, his laptop showing views from six different cameras, including the apartment’s front entry and his door. No wonder he’d been right there when she showed up.
“How’s Koshka liking the safe house?” He placed a mug on the end table near her and took the easy chair opposite. Now that she was under his direct scrutiny, it was more important than ever that she keep it together. She’d come here to make love to Luther, but telling him how she felt wasn’t on the table. It couldn’t be; it wasn’t fair to either of them. Kit never wanted to burden someone with her emotions. It had to be mutual, the in-love thing. And she didn’t have to love someone to enjoy great sex with them.
“She’s adapted, believe it or not. The other agents adore her, except for Kyle, who’s allergic. Have you met him yet?”
Luther tilted his head. “I don’t know—there have been a lot of introductions since I’ve been here.”
“He owns the coffee shop downstairs. That’s his cover, for when he’s not doing TH work.”
“Actually, I have met him, but I didn’t realize he was LEA or TH. The first morning I was here I ran into him back by the café’s Dumpsters.”
“He’s not going to be in the coffee shop for a while. A lot of TH part-time agents are working now. I’m surprised the people of Silver Valley don’t suspect something’s going on.” She knew she was babbling but couldn’t stop the chatter.
“Kit.” He leaned over and grasped her hand. “It’s okay. Calm down.”
“I can’t calm down! You almost died out there, and then I couldn’t come see you. Claudia and Colt were insistent that I stay in the safe house, let you heal.” She knew she blushed red as ever, but pressed on. “I
hated not seeing you, not knowing if you’d really not been too badly injured.” Her gaze dropped to his leg, covered by his workout pants. “It’s still painful, isn’t it?”
He shrugged. “It’s sore, yeah, but not that bad. I can get around. It has prevented me from being with the team that’s standing by to take down Ivanov, but I’ll provide backup. It’s all good as long as we bring them in.”
She watched his every expression, her fingers tingling to touch him, run her hands over his face, his shoulders, his—
“Kit, we’ve got to talk about what’s going on between us.”
At least he kept it in the present tense, but she wasn’t going to let that be her go-ahead to tell him what she was feeling in her heart. Not yet. Maybe never.
“Luther, that’s why I came over tonight.”
“Is that all?” His low timbre threw a match on her desire, and the place between her legs clamored for attention. She grasped her hands together, determined to get through this conversation before she jumped him.
“Well, no, but that all depends on you, too. I came here to tell you that I’m positive that we shared something real out in that cabin.”
“And the bath hut.”
“Um, yes. That was very nice, no question, but what I’m talking about is more than that, Luther. You became my friend, a confidant, someone I trust with my life.”
“How foolish for you. I almost got you killed. If you hadn’t taken out Mishka, we wouldn’t be sitting here.”
She shook her head. “No. I’m not going to let you play the self-pity card, Luther. I was able to take out Mishka only because you told me I could do it. Your confidence in my abilities did it. Yes, I have the shooting skills, but combined with your support it made me invincible.”
“He’s still not talking, you know.” Luther’s gaze was unreadable, and she wondered if he’d really missed her the way she’d missed him. When he’d just pulled her into his apartment she’d been certain he had.
“Claudia told me. But maybe it just means he doesn’t have anything to say. He seemed to be focused on taking me away with him. Without me to barter with Ivanov and ROC, he doesn’t have much. His father’s biggest contribution to ROC is over, for good.”
“If he’d harmed a hair on your head, or taken you, I would have found you. And killed him.” Luther’s declaration caught her short.
“I know you would have. But he didn’t get either of us, not in a lasting way.”
“No.” He shifted in his chair.
“Is it uncomfortable to sit there? Do you want to lie on the sofa? We can switch.”
“Kit, when I come over to that sofa I’m going to kiss you, and I’m not going to stop. It’s best we stay like this until we’re done talking. Why don’t you tell me why you’re here?”
“I already told you. I feel we developed a special bond. I’d like to explore that.”
“Explore?” He was teasing her and she laughed.
“Well, yes. But I mean to take our time with our friendship, get to know one another better.”
“I’m leaving once the op is over. And I don’t do long-distance relationships.”
“Why do we have to look past now? I’m willing to enjoy things just as they are, for as long as they last. Or don’t.” She never broke eye contact with Luther and thought she deserved a gold star for lying so well. She wasn’t lying, though, not really. Just omitting the hope that this could have the potential for more than an affair.
Luther was worth the risk of one night, though. If it was all she could have with him, she was willing to accept that.
“You deserve a man to be with you forever, Kit. I’m not that guy.”
She stood up, unable to remain apart from him for one second longer. “I’m not looking for ‘that’ guy, Luther.” Holding out her hand, she beckoned for him to take it.
He stared at her for a full heartbeat before he grasped her hand and tugged until her face was next to his. “I can’t have you on my lap, not yet.”
“Are you okay to do...other things?” she whispered, her lips so close to his. Every nerve ending was on fire.
His mouth curved into a bone-melting smile. “Babe, you have no idea.”
She stood, still holding his hand. “Then let’s go.”
Chapter 18
Luther didn’t allow himself to future-trip into tomorrow or the day after, when the op was complete and he was headed to the next assignment. Away from Kit.
No, he remained right here, in the present with Kit. The most beautiful woman he’d ever been attracted to, because, besides her physical attractiveness, she had a brain and heart that couldn’t be beat. If he were the settling-down kind, Kit would be the woman he’d want to be with.
He’d take being with her tonight, though.
“Come on.” He walked her back to the small bedroom, and was a teenager again with his first love.
Whoa... Love?
They cleared the door and Kit wrapped her hands around his neck and pulled his face to hers. She was all female, from her long eyelashes, to her full lips, to the body that had possessed him in his dreams for the last week.
“You know that once we start, there’s no stopping, babe?”
“Yes. Enough talking, Luther. Kiss me.”
He claimed her lips and the woman in his arms was Kit, all right, but with more passion and intention than he ever imagined. Her tongue traced his lips, pushed past and into his mouth, inviting his to join the erotic foreplay. Luther’s intention to take it slow with Kit, to allow her to enjoy herself fully before he took her, was impossible to honor with every piece of his body on fire for her.
Only for Kit.
“Luther.”
“Babe.” He worshipped her with his lips, his tongue, as he kissed her jaw, her throat. Lifting her shirt over her head, he let her finish that task and unhooked her bra, his mouth on her rigid nipple, her obvious excitement a total turn-on. He caressed her other breast as he suckled, and she ground her hips against him.
“On the bed.” He eased her onto the quilted cover, and tugged her pants off. The sight of the white lacy thong against her mound nearly stopped his fun before it started. “You are a beautiful woman, Kit.”
“Too much talking.”
* * *
Kit lay back on the bed, completely immersed in her desire for Luther and his every reaction. Clad in only her thong, she reveled in how Luther loved her with his gaze. Watching him take his clothes off was more of a turn-on than she expected. His body was lean and finely honed. When she saw his bandage and the bruising around it, her breath hitched.
Mishka could have killed him.
She forced the frightening truth away. Luther was here, she was here and they had tonight.
Without fanfare, Luther stepped out of his underwear and she drank in his full nudity. “You’re stunning, Luther.”
He gave her a saucy grin. “I’m glad you approve.”
She giggled as he knelt between her legs, bent forward and placed his forearms on either side of her head.
And winced.
“Luther!” She pressed against his chest, unable to bear the thought of him being in pain, especially now.
“I’m fine. It just takes time to get settled.”
“No, we’re not doing it this way, then.” She waited for him to lean on his good side before she gently pushed him on his back.
“Kit, I want it to be perfect for you.”
“It’s going to be perfect for us, babe.” She arched her back and slid off her thong, then straddled him. The sensation of their most private parts connecting was almost too much for her. She had to work at not grinding down on him, wanting to make sure he was comfortable. Luther’s pupils dilated and his breathing increased.
“Does this hurt?” Intended as a simple question, her query came out as a series
of gasps.
“Only in the best way.” He ground out his response before pulling her to him. With his hand behind her nape, he kissed her with an intensity that made stars flash behind her lids. As their tongues wound around each other, Luther tilted his pelvis up and she pressed back, needing this to go to the next place.
“Babe.” She wanted to tell him how good it felt, but her mind wasn’t cooperating. The throbbing between her legs quickly grew into a strong, insistent pressure. They hadn’t even begun to move, and he wasn’t inside her yet.
Kit held her breath as she watched Luther’s expression for signs of pain, but all she saw was a reflection of how she felt. Totally immersed in their lovemaking.
“We need a condom, babe. I brought them, in my purse.” Which she’d left in the front room.
“I know.” He gave her a devilish smile and nodded toward the side of the bed. An entire strip of protection lay next to them.
“When did you do this?” She was sitting up straight as she straddled him, ripping off one of the condom packets as she spoke.
“The minute I saw you on my laptop screen.”
She laughed, the excitement building as she processed that he’d wanted this as badly as she did. “That’s very good prior planning, agent.”
He grasped her hands, helped her ease the condom over him. “No more talking, babe. Come here.”
She leaned over him, a hand on each of his shoulders. Luther pulled her to him again for a kiss that conveyed all she needed—he wanted her, he was going to make love to her, they were going to enjoy it.
“Take me in, babe.” His words, whispered in her ear, shot molten desire through her core. She eased herself over him and slowly, to make it as good for him as it was for her, lowered herself, inch by inch. Luther filled her body as he’d filled her soul since she’d met him. Fully, leaving nothing unturned, no boundaries uncrossed.
As soon as he was completely inside, Luther began to move his hips and Kit couldn’t hold back any longer. She met each of his thrusts with hers, racing to meet the wave of pleasure that awaited them both. Luther gently squeezed her breasts and then lowered his hands to her back, holding on to her buttocks. The sensation of his fingers in her flesh was the last thing she felt before her orgasm hit. She heard herself calling out his name, heard his reply, but mostly Kit simply lived in the moment.
