by Loye, Trish
She walked—no, she strode into the middle of his room before turning to face him. “I’ve made my decision. This is my choice. Now live up to yours.”
He let the door swing shut and stalked to her. He couldn’t hold back, not after this night of seeing her put herself at risk for her friends, for countless innocent lives, and for him.
Jack stopped in front of her, so close their chests almost touched. He lifted his hands and gently, slowly, threaded them into her hair, tilting her head just so. This courageous woman wanted him.
Him.
And he felt invincible because of it.
He pressed his lips to hers, taking his time, enjoying that first catch of her breath as he explored her lips. He made sure not to touch her anywhere but her lips and her hair. He wanted this moment to last. His heart beat hard, but steady. He was in control.
Until her hands went between them to land on his chest. Her fingernails digging through his T-shirt, feeling like brands on his skin, before she dragged them down.
“More,” she whispered against his lips, opening her mouth under his.
He combusted. Heat blasted through him and incinerated his control. His breathing turned ragged and he pulled her body tight to his, so he could feel her softness against him. His tongue delved into her mouth. Her small moan set his blood pumping.
He palmed her ass and lifted her. She wrapped her legs around him and a groan escaped him at the feel of her. He turned away from the bed. Not yet. If he went to the bed, this would be over way too soon.
He pushed her back against the wall and ground his hips against hers, unable to stop himself. He growled as he nipped her ear before licking the spot, soothing it. Her head fell to the side, giving him all the access he desired, and he worshiped her neck while she moaned softly. The sounds drove him beyond madness.
He pulled her black T-shirt over her head and his breath stuck in his throat. She wore a simple black bra, but it had the tiniest bit of lace edging it. He let her down and moved back just enough to take her all in. With a single finger, he traced that edge of lace, alternating between watching her glazed eyes and the soft flesh that rose and fell with each panting breath she took.
This woman set his blood on fire.
“Take it off,” he growled.
* * *
She was on fire. His rough command seemed to rub against something low and hidden inside her. She couldn’t look away from his face, from his harshly masculine and heated gaze. This was what she had wanted for so long, what she’d craved.
She unsnapped the front clasp of her bra and under his searing gaze opened it and shrugged it off her shoulders. He made a sound low in his throat. One hand touched her so slow and delicate, as if she would disappear like smoke if he made any sudden movement. His knuckles brushed one hardened nipple and she didn’t even try to hide her moan.
This man made her feel wild and free, releasing her from all of her self-imposed restraints.
Safe.
He made her feel safe to be herself, whoever that was, whatever that was. She could love him for it.
And she wanted to. She wanted to fall head over heels for this honorable, courageous, stubborn man. If he would just let her.
She knew instinctively that he wouldn’t. That he thought she was too good for him. But in the dawn light coming through the cracks of the curtains, she would show him they should be together.
She smiled as she moved closer to him. Spreading her hands over his T-shirt before digging her nails in lightly. “Take it off,” she ordered.
He grinned at her choice of words and whipped his T-shirt off. Before it had cleared his head, her hands roamed the hard slabs of muscle. His chest vibrated with the growl of sound coming from his throat, as if she petted a lion. The predatory look in his eyes only added to the feeling.
He reached for her, capturing her lips. Caressing her exposed skin as they stripped off the rest of their clothing. His calloused hands skimmed down her back and cupped her ass, pulling her close to him. She reveled in him, his hot skin, rough mouth, and leashed strength.
“Christ, I can’t go slow,” he said hoarsely, sucking on her neck. His fingers tugged and rolled one nipple and her back arched with pleasure.
She tugged at his head, bringing his mouth back to hers. “Then don’t.”
He lifted her and her legs went around his waist. His hard length hit her core and she ground herself against him. He swore and walked them to the bed.
She half expected him to toss her down, but he lowered her gently and stepped back, his heated gaze sweeping over her.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful.”
She lifted up on her elbows and looked him over. He was hard muscle, steel will, and pure warrior. She licked her dry lips. His eyes zeroed in on the movement.
Her stomach fluttered and her core clenched. He knelt over her on the bed, leaning down to kiss her again, his tongue delving again and again into her mouth. She grasped his shoulders with a moan, digging her nails in. Without breaking the kiss he settled himself over her.
His one hand trailed down and his fingers grazed between her legs. Her hips lifted, trying to get more.
“Please, Jack,” she said.
“Aye, say my name again.” He slid down her body until he could suck one of her nipples into his mouth. His fingers played with her clit, circling it, never putting quite enough pressure on it. Pleasure raced through her like lightning and she moaned.
“Please, Jack. You’re driving me mad.”
“Anything for you, Sherlock,” he whispered, even as his finger pressed right on the exact spot she needed.
She gasped as heat and pleasure surged through her, but then he was lifting away, stopping when she was so close. She cried out a protest.
He reached to the night table and the condom that lay there. He ripped it open and rolled it on.
“I can’t wait any longer,” he said, and slid between her legs. His gaze seared her, touching something deep inside. Then he drove himself into her.
She cried out, even as her hips surged up to meet his. Stroke for stroke. Deeper and harder. He captured her mouth and controlled their rhythm. His strength surrounding her, taking her higher, closer.
The pace became more intense, erratic. And then she was flying, white bursting behind her eyelids, her insides clenching, her nails digging for purchase. She heard his groan as he followed her off the edge.
After, she lay limp beneath him while they both caught their breaths. He leaned his forehead against hers and kissed her gently, then rolled off her and pulled her back against him. She stayed quiet and curled in his arms, just enjoying his warmth. Taking the time to savor all the feelings stirring in her and relishing the languor in her body.
Later, when he started kissing her neck, her body woke up again. This time was slower, almost relaxed, but just as blissful.
When he took her in his arms afterwards, hugging her to him, stroking her hair, she could almost touch the regret coming from him.
“Stop worrying,” she said softly. “We can do this.”
“We’ll talk later,” he murmured.
She wanted to sit up and make him talk now, to show him that they could have something together, but Jack’s soft caresses lulled her and sleep pulled her under.
* * *
Before Charlie even opened her eyes, she knew he was gone. She wanted to feel anger, but instead she just felt empty. The logical part of her said that he’d told her that SIS had demanded his presence in the morning. Maybe he’d be back.
But she knew he wouldn’t be.
For whatever reason, he didn’t believe they could have a future together, so he’d taken himself out of the equation. They’d had an incredible few hours and that was all he’d ever offered her.
Or maybe that was all he ever wanted.
It was his loss, she insisted to herself as she got dressed and went to her room, where she showered and packed. It was early afternoon and the sun shone brightly into her
room.
She refused to be sad. She’d just had the best sex of her life with a courageous, amazing man. She wasn’t going to diminish it with regrets.
She grabbed her bag. So what if the man hadn’t wanted anything more with her? It had still been a good way to end her first mission.
Something James Bond would do. Have an adventure and then sleep with the sexy partner. Not that she was anything close to James Bond. But it was still a good memory.
Something to pull out on lonely Friday nights.
Her shoulders slumped as she reached for the door handle. She couldn’t even fool herself. His leaving had left her wounded and aching. She was going to hurt for a while.
But she would survive. She straightened and pulled open the door. She’d proven over and over in her life that she was strong. It was time she started believing it.
This was just one more thing to overcome. She would not feel sorry for herself, she vowed. She’d had her eyes wide open when she’d walked into his hotel room. It might hurt to leave and never see him again, but she could do it.
The door swung shut behind her and locked with a click.
26
Four weeks later…
“Are you sure about this, Bua?” Charlie asked. She stood in the Montréal airport with her aunt and her aunt’s two suitcases.
“Yes, Charlotte. For the hundredth time.”
“You have your room with me. You come back any time you want.”
Her aunt hugged her, squeezing her tight. Charlie’s throat tightened and she hugged her aunt back hard.
“Are you—”
Her aunt pulled back and looked at her. “Do you want me to stay?”
She did. She wasn’t sure she was ready for her aunt to go back to London. Not without her. Not without someone to protect her. But she couldn’t do that to Aunt G.
Charlie shook her head, still not able to force words past her throat.
Her aunt took her hands and smiled at her. “Now you listen to me, Charlotte. None of this was your fault. I got caught up in something terrible and it wasn’t your fault.”
Charlie gripped her aunt’s hands and nodded. No matter what her aunt said, it had been her job that had put her in the hands of a terrorist.
“If anything, the experience taught me how little I’ve done with my life. I…I thought I was going to die.” Aunt G’s eyes closed for just a moment. “All I could think about was everything I hadn’t done with my life. I vowed if I got out, then I’d finally start living.”
“So you have to rent a flat in London to do this?”
Her aunt laughed. “Oh, pyari ladaki you make me so proud. I see now that you live your life to the fullest. It’s all I’ve ever wanted for you. And now it’s time I do the same. I want to see the world. Besides,” she winked, “there’s a certain gentleman wanting to see me again.”
“Dr. Harper doesn’t stand a chance,” Charlie said, and hugged her aunt again.
Charlie went home to an empty house, but smiled at the memory of her aunt’s happiness. Tomorrow was Monday, and she had more projects than she knew what to do with. She really needed another scientist to help her. But she didn’t mind being busy. It took her mind off—
No. She wasn’t going to think of him.
She shook her head at herself and went to make tea.
One day at a time.
* * *
Charlie strode toward the conference room. Colonel Blackwell had asked her to sit in on a briefing. Work was crazy as usual, but she didn’t mind it. In fact, she relished it, and not just to take her mind off a certain Scot.
She found that since she’d come back from London, a piece of her had settled. She’d proven to herself that she could do something ‘real’ outside of her lab. But she’d also proven that what she did in the lab—creating things to help her friends survive—was just as important.
She carried her tea in her ‘Lab Rule Number One: Don’t Lick the Spoon’ mug and entered the briefing room.
And just like that, her contentment shattered as if it had never been.
Cat and Jake were on the far side of the table. A man sat with his back to the door. A man whose broad shoulders and short brown hair made her halt in her steps.
Colonel Blackwell stood at the front of the room. “I’m glad you could join us, Dr. Singh.”
“What’s he doing here?” she asked the colonel.
Jack swiveled in his seat to look at her, his hazel eyes alight with concern. Concern that she’d give him a hard time?
Of course she was going to give him a hard time. The bastard hadn’t contacted her in four weeks, then just showed up where she worked? What the fuck?
“Excuse me,” Blackwell said coldly.
Shit. She’d spoken aloud. “Sorry, sir. I was just…surprised.”
“I can tell,” he said. “Trooper Sinclair has agreed to be our liaison with the SAS.”
She turned to Jack. “The SAS took you back?”
He gave a small smile. “Aye. In a limited capacity. I won’t be going out with a patrol any longer, but will work solo or with EDGE.”
“Well,” she said, nodding. “That’s great. Everything you wanted.” But he’d never called her. Which meant he hadn’t wanted her. And now she had to work with him. “Fucking great.”
He arched a brow at her.
Oh, he did not get to do that. She turned on her heel and walked out of the briefing. She’d take whatever flak Blackwell threw her way, but she couldn’t stand to be in a room with Jack Sinclair right now.
“Charlie, wait.”
Damn her short legs. He caught her easily and stepped in front of her. Fine. She could be calm and cool.
“What?”
“I want to explain why I haven’t gotten in touch.”
In touch. Like they were freaking pen pals or something.
“You don’t need to explain, Jack. I’m a big girl.” There. That was cool.
“I’ve been on lockdown for weeks. Unable to contact anyone while they sorted through my story and the evidence collected at Frost’s manor.”
“Lockdown? Like jail?”
He nodded.
“Even in jail you get a freaking phone call,” she said, and started walking past him. So much for calm.
“I didn’t want to get in touch until I knew that I had something to offer you.”
She stopped walking away and strode back to him. Her finger stabbed his chest with each word she spoke. “I don’t need you to offer me anything. I support myself. I wanted you, not your job. Don’t you get that?”
He shook his head. “Not fucking financial support, Charlie. I wanted to make sure I could offer you…” He ran a hand over his face. “Fuck, I’m not good with words. I wanted you to see…my true self, without guilt, fear, and regret weighing me down. I would have been a miserable son of a bitch if I couldn’t get my dishonorable discharge reversed. You deserve better than that.”
She lowered her hand and thought about his words. Really thought about them.
He was right. It would have killed her slowly to see him hate himself. But it didn’t mean she’d forgive him so easily. He was here, at EDGE, and she’d found out by seeing him in a briefing.
That, she wasn’t forgiving.
“Fine,” she said. “I get your reasoning. And you’re here now, working with EDGE. All your dreams come true. Yay you.” She waved a hand. “Now run along. I’m busy.”
He caught her hand and didn’t release it when she tugged. She was pissed, but not enough to throw her tea at him.
At least not yet.
“Just listen,” he said softly. “I came straight here from the airport. I wanted to find you first, but I don’t exactly have free rein to run loose here. I had to wait for you to be called to the briefing.”
He let her tug her hand free.
“Can you forgive me for being an ass?” he continued. “I should have called, but I…”
“But what?”
“But I was
n’t sure what to say.”
“Seriously?” She tugged her hand and he let go. “Are you that bad with words?”
He ran a hand through his hair. “I’m not exactly known for my brains.”
“You’re smarter than you think,” she snapped. She couldn’t stand to see him put himself down.
“Christ, I don’t deserve you. But I want you anyway.” He swallowed. “Here’s the truth. I didn’t call because I didn’t want to say the wrong thing and fuck things up more than they are.”
She felt something soften inside her and cocked her head. “But you’re not afraid of saying the wrong thing in person?”
He gave a short harsh laugh. “Fuck, yes.” Then he stepped close, until their chests almost touched. Desire swirled in her. “But in person, I might be able to kiss my way back into your good books.”
His hands slid up to frame her face. “I have thought of nothing else but seeing you, since I left your side.” He touched his lips to hers gently. A butterfly kiss, whisper soft. “You saw me at my darkest and still found the light in me.” Another kiss before he pulled back and captured her gaze. “Please say you’ll forgive me and give us a chance?”
Yes. Yes. Yes.
Joy leapt inside her, but she frowned and pretended to think about it. “On one condition.”
“Anything for you.” Those three words gripped her heart.
She couldn’t stop the smile that burst from her. “I will forgive you only if you start kissing your way back into my good books right now.”
A wicked smile lit his face. “I’m yours to command.”
For More Edge….
If you want more of the E.D.G.E. Security series then sign up for my newsletter (click here) to stay up to date on new releases. Or you can go to my web site. www.trishloye.com
Also by Trish Loye
Edge of Control - Book 1
Edge of Reason - Book 2
Edge of Danger - Book 3
