Her stomach twisted painfully. She’d never meant to give him that impression. She remembered the conversation. It had been after one of her panic attacks and she’d been a little distracted. Dread unfurled in her belly as she wondered if she was too late. She rushed to explain.
“I felt guilty at not being able to commit to you. I never meant to send you away. I don’t want you to give up on me—on us.”
He huffed out a frustrated breath. “I thought I could be patient with you, Elena, but my patience has run out. I want to know.”
And he deserved to know how she felt. She wanted him to know. She hated the fact that since they’d first met she was the one holding back. First because of her allegiance to Nikolai and now from her own fear.
“I do love you, Lucas,” she said softly, her eyes begging him to believe her. How she loved him. The insufferable man had gotten under her skin and imbedded himself so deeply within her that she would never be rid of him.
“Then why haven’t you told me? Why haven’t we been together all this time?”
The hurt on his face was almost her undoing. She chided herself, having been so wrapped up in her own feelings that she hadn’t thought how he might take the situation. Exasperated, she threw up her hands. “Because I’m scared, okay?” When he looked like he was going to interrupt, she quickly continued, realizing how it must have sounded to him. “Not scared of us, Lucas. Never of that. I’ve only loved two men in my entire life and one was murdered. I don’t want anything to happen to the other. I don’t think I would survive that.”
“Oh, Elena.” He crossed the space of the room in three long strides and pulled her into his arms and held her tight, kissing the top of her head. “Nothing is going to happen to me.”
She shook her head. “You can’t promise me that.”
“I can and I will. I love you so much, Elena.”
She wrapped her arms around his neck and held onto him with all her strength. She kissed him hard with all the pent-up passion she had been harboring for the past eighteen months. She had let it grow and smolder and now she was ready to erupt. The electricity that had always been between them ignited and burned hot as it raced through her veins.
Her tongue stroked his as she took possession of his mouth, or was it he who took possession of hers? What did it matter? She was here with him, kissing him. Everything was finally right in the world as his large hands slid down her back, cupping her buttocks, pushing her body into his so she could feel his hardness on her belly. He wanted her. She kissed him again, moving closer to him, rubbing against his body, letting him know without words that she wanted him too.
He wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her off the ground, settling her on the bed on her back. He pushed her thighs apart with his knee and knelt on one knee between them, his other foot still on the floor. Then he slowly lifted her blouse up and over her head, feasting his eyes on the creamy flesh he exposed. His flattened palm on her stomach made her shiver in desire. Small goosebumps appeared all over her skin. He kissed her again and again, letting his hands drift over her body, driving her wild as he pressed his hardness against her soft mound.
She quivered beneath him with passion as his hands settled on the waistband of her pants and undid them, pulling them down past her hips before discarding them. Now she only wore a lacy peach bra and matching panties. He gazed down at her, allowing his desire to show in the hard lines on his face. She felt her own desire course through her veins, warming her blood and causing her skin to flush as she realized how much the sight of her pleased him.
He removed his shirt and pants along with his boxers in record time. She heard the loud clunk sound as his gun holster hit the floor. Her lingerie shortly followed, and he settled between her thighs as he took one nipple in his mouth, caressing the other with his thumb so that the pink tip was hard and throbbing. He teased her mercilessly until she wildly bucked beneath him, raising her hips.
His hand slid down between the valley of her breasts and over her flat stomach before settling on her mound. Her breath hitched as he found her moist core. His tongue followed the path of his hand and she moaned at the first feel of his tongue in her most intimate of places. The world darkened as she thrashed her head against the already tousled sheets and she thought she might’ve passed out from sheer pleasure. Her thighs tightened around his head as he lapped at her, a shrill keening escaping her lips as he slowly tortured her, pushing her body higher and tauter without providing release.
She suddenly gasped, her body unwinding, shattering her consciousness as she came hard. She shivered and convulsed while he watched her. It should have disconcerted her but instead added to the sensual pleasure, his witnessing his effect on her.
He stroked her inner thighs with his tongue before sliding up her body to kiss her deeply, tasting herself on his lips. Once sated, she now throbbed with the need to feel him inside her. To join with him in the most basic and intimate ways. To show him without words how much she loved him so that he’d never question it again.
She felt his shaft pulsating against her damp mound, ready to explode. He was thick and long and smooth to the touch as she guided him to her. Perspiration dotted his forehead with the effort he took to hold himself back. Through clenched teeth he told her he didn’t think he could control himself.
She shook her head. “I don’t care, Lucas. I just want you.”
She lifted her hips, the end of his engorged shaft grazing her silken entrance. A deep hunger unfurled in her belly, and he cursed under his breath, his control snapping. He grabbed hold of her hips and held her still as he entered her in one long trust. Elena moaned as he filled her up completely. She had never felt anything so right. This is what she’d always been waiting for without even knowing it. She was connected to him in the most elemental way and never wanted him to leave. He swore savagely and began to withdraw, sliding from her body.
“No,” she protested, tightening her legs around his waist to keep him inside her.
“I know,” he said in a strangled tone. “But I’m not wearing a condom.”
“That’s okay. I’m protected. I trust you. Please don’t leave. I need you, Lucas. Now and forever. Take me and don’t hold back. I want every part of you.”
He grinned rakishly. “My pleasure.”
“Mine too.” Her breathing hitched with excitement and her body tingled.
He moved within her, stimulating her already sensitive nerves, bringing her to orgasm within minutes. She shuddered beneath him and he followed her over as the muscles inside her gripped at him. He expanded within her, stretching her further before his release jetted into her.
He collapsed on top of her, struggling to breathe. With her imagination and wildest dreams, she still hadn’t been anywhere close to conjuring up what it would be like when she and Lucas finally made love. She was in a state of euphoria, her entire being complacent.
He rolled off her and pulled her close. She stroked his chest as she waited for her heartbeat to return to its regular rhythm, feeling complete bliss in his arms. Something she’d not felt in a long time. Lucas made her feel alive again. She felt cherished in his arms and wondered how she could’ve ever thought he’d lost interest. Lucas was a man of his word.
“Good God, that was amazing.”
“It was, wasn’t it?” She suddenly had a thought and blushed. “I really hope Dmitry didn’t hear any of that.”
She hadn’t once considered that her little brother was only down the hall—awake. She felt mortified that she had been so wrapped up with Lucas that she had totally forgotten Dmitry. Her face burned as she thought of how she’d cried out. She certainly hadn’t been quiet.
“Relax, sladkaya,” he intoned, calling her sweetheart in Russian. “I doubt your brother would notice the apocalypse outside his window unless something happened to the Internet.”
Elena smiled. He knew Dmitry so well. He knew her so well. He looked deep into her eyes, having recently looked at every inc
h of her naked body. Her skin heated as she recalled the pleasure he’d built inside her and in her heart, as well. She wanted him again, more so than the first time. She began to wonder if she would ever have her fill of him.
“I promise the next time will last longer.”
Had he been reading her mind? Her face heated at being caught, and Lucas leaned over and nibbled on her ear.
“And you know how I am with promises,” he added in a husky voice.
Her heart beat sped up as his hands explored her once more, gliding sensually over her sensitive flesh. She turned her head to kiss him, and once more he kept his promise.
Chapter 18
Dmitry’s wound throbbed, dull and incessant, a reminder that he was lucky to be alive, though hurting. Ivan was not. Not just his arm ached, but his heart too.
Anger and sorrow simultaneously burned and he fought against the volatile feelings, needing to remain clearheaded. Now wasn’t the time to grieve. He couldn’t allow his emotions to rule. He had to be cold and unfeeling like his nationality were often accused of being. Later, he could mourn Ivan, after he’d fulfilled his promise and avenged his friend.
He tilted his head and the bones cracked with the movement. He’d been sitting in the same position for too long.
He considered himself a smart man, but right now he felt like something important had been evading him. A pivotal piece of the puzzle, and it annoyed him. He didn’t like the feeling, not having it very often. Something was very wrong. Something did not add up.
Why Sundown? That was the first question he asked, and it was a good one. He didn’t have an answer. The file had been classified, hidden deep inside the Pentagon’s mainframe. Who knew about it? Surely it wasn’t a long list, and it wouldn’t be easy to obtain, but he was good at what he did and would find out.
It also helped keep his mind off whatever may be happening down the hall. He’d seen the determination in Lucas’s eyes. Elena didn’t stand a chance. He sat back in his seat, the hour long past midnight. He wondered briefly at their relationship, knowing there was more than passing interest between the two. Smoldering heat appeared between them whenever they got together. Dmitry hoped they worked it out. He didn’t want to see either of them hurt. They both deserved a happy ending, at least for all the shit life had put them through.
He stared hard at the bright laptop screen. He certainly wasn’t about to get his answers tonight, not with Sundown having a flag on the file. Anyone attempting to locate information on anything named Sundown would be getting a visit from the NSA. He would have to try something tomorrow, go to an unsecure location and download the information he wanted. He would have to be quick about it. The Department of Defense was not about to fool around. It was risky, but so was not doing anything.
He’d be crazy not to be scared, his future uncertain. Elena and Lucas could only protect him for so long. The rest would be up to him. He wouldn’t let them down. It wasn’t just about his life, but an entire country’s freedom and safety. He couldn’t step aside; it wasn’t in his nature. He was the world’s best hacker, and it was time to show them why he’d been bestowed the title.
The more Dmitry thought about it, the less sense it made. What good was stealing the security protocol for the country? There wasn’t much you could do with it. The only thing that came to mind was money. Always money. The whole world was ruled by it.
With the threat of treason hanging heavily over his head, he continued to work.
Chapter 19
The boss glared at Sean, who hadn’t been worth the trouble he’d gone through to acquire him. He had been a constant disappointment from the moment he’d hired him. The man was a thug, bought muscle. All he had to do was force the Russian to download Sundown and confirm once it had been finished, but the idiot had lost the entire goddamn protocol.
Fear blossomed inside him, his silk shirt clinging to his damp skin. The country was vulnerable. The entire defense force was on high alert, awaiting the possibility of attack. He channeled his fear into anger and focused it on Sean, who it appeared couldn’t follow a directive without monumentally fucking up.
“I just got word that Elena Ivanova is in Washington,” the boss said. “She met with SAC Fitzgibbon at Langley this morning along with Secretary Mann of the Pentagon. Apparently, the woman has friends in high places.”
Something his subordinate had neglected to mention. If he’d known Dmitry Ivanov was related to a woman who worked for Russian intelligence, he never would’ve allowed Sean to hire him. He didn’t like surprises, but maybe he could use this to his advantage.
“I’m well aware. I’m close to retrieving the file,” Sean replied. “I’ve learned Ivanova has a relationship with an agent here in the States, a Lucas Gates. I believe that she is staying with him and that her brother is with them.”
He let out a frustrated sigh. “This was not supposed to happen. Sundown was not supposed to be endangered.”
He hadn’t wanted to compromise the protocol, only wanted the paper-pushers in the White House to see how wrong they were, and now everything was fucked. The entire system had escaped into the void, available to anyone with the know-how.
He only hoped Dmitry Ivanov was as good as he had proved so far. He knew the man didn’t want to jeopardize the country’s defenses. From what Sean had said, Ivanov had recognized the IP address and had to be forced to retrieve the file. He sounded like a decent man; it was a shame to have to involve him in this issue, but something had to be done. The country was not secure, and wouldn’t be until the men at the top saw it for themselves.
This wasn’t how he had planned it, but nothing could change it now. Now he had to retrieve Sundown from wherever Ivanov had sent the files, and replace it back in the Pentagon’s mainframe. Only then would he be safe from prosecution.
It was a shame the same couldn’t be said for the Russian, but certain sacrifices were necessary and his reputation and position were more valuable than one man’s life.
No one must know that it was he who had arranged the entire thing.
Chapter 20
Elena inhaled the clean scent of a man—her man. She could have been blind and would still be able to pick Lucas out of a crowd. She drowsily opened her eyes and looked up into his brilliant blue ones, the skin around the sockets crinkling, showing his age as he smiled down at her. With slightly damp hair, dressed in a light grey suit and blue shirt he looked downright edible. She licked her lips and his eyes followed her tongue. Her body warmed, desire coursing through her as if she had become some horny hormonal time bomb.
“I’ve got to go into work but you stay here and help Dmitry, all right? I’ll be home as soon as I can.”
She nodded her understanding, her mind a riot of erotic memories of the previous night. Lucas leaned down and gave her a kiss that if she ended up with Alzheimer’s in her old age, it would be the one thing she would remember with crystal clear clarity.
He sent her a sexy grin before picking up his keys from the bed side table and leaving her with her thoughts. She climbed out of bed, pulling on Lucas’s shirt that had been left discarded on the floor and made her way to the kitchen. Her body was slightly sore from the previous evening’s activities. It had been over two years since she had last made love and her inner muscles were now protesting that fact. She smiled. Lucas certainly hadn’t gone easy on her just as she hadn’t with him.
She looked about the kitchen. The carafe was empty and had been for some time. She frowned when she couldn’t see any signs of Dmitry and assumed he had finally relented and had gone to bed. Her brother was far too used to staying awake all night, streamlining caffeine. She had told him more than once she worried about it. It certainly wasn’t good for him but he’d yet to change his nighttime habits.
She’d begun preparing the coffee maker for another batch when a piece of paper on the kitchen table caught her eye. Picking it up, she recognized Dmitry’s handwriting. The letter had been written in Russian. Either by habit
or because he was paranoid, she didn’t know. She quickly read through his letter telling her he had gone to the library to do some research he couldn’t risk doing at Lucas’s.
She shook her head. Be safe, Dmitry, and for goodness sake keep your head down.
He was taking a huge risk, and had she been around when the decision was made, she would’ve fought to keep him from going. Which was probably why he had snuck out while she was sleeping, the little shit.
She crumpled up the letter and threw it in the bin, then finished loading the coffee maker and pressed the start button before retracing her steps back down the hall towards the bathroom. She let the almost burning hot water of the shower beat down on her shoulders and back, loosening the tension that she hadn’t realized was there, and washed away the dried perspiration left over from the night before. She almost moaned in delight as the water performed miracles on her sore muscles.
Several wonderful minutes later, she climbed out of the shower and dried herself off, dressing in her favorite worn pair of jeans. She added a peach blouse and put on her sneakers, brushed her teeth and hair before exiting the bathroom, and decided it was time for her morning coffee. The machine should have finished making the pot by now.
She poured the coffee into a mug with the CIA emblem and took a sip. She felt the caffeine begin to take effect as it zinged through her bloodstream. She was halfway through the mug when she heard a car pull into Lucas’s driveway. She stood, thinking it was Dmitry, and walked towards the kitchen door that led out to the garden which she’d learned was Lucas’s preferred entrance. She saw the shadowed figure on the opposite side and stiffened, knowing immediately that it wasn’t her brother. The silhouette of the man on the other side of the door didn’t match him or Lucas. Her suspicion was proven correct when she heard the scraping sound of a small tool being forced into the locking mechanism on the door.
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