by Katie Reus
They were going to get to the bottom of this mess. He was going to find whoever had shot at Evie and her friend—and then he wanted straight answers from Evie.
She wanted him as much as he wanted her. Yet she’d left him. And he didn’t buy that it was simply because of her former job. They still could have made things work even if she’d been working undercover. People did that every day. There was more to her leaving and he would find out what it was.
Chapter 11
Evie stepped away from Dylan’s bedroom door then pivoted, turned back and raised her hand to knock. Then she repeated the process three more times, never following through.
What the hell was she doing? She shouldn’t be here. Hell, she wasn’t even sure why she was here other than it was three in the morning and she couldn’t sleep.
She’d processed the fingerprints of the two men from her brother’s house, and while she knew their names, she didn’t know nearly enough about who they were. It didn’t matter that they were dead. She was going to find out who they’d been working for and trace it back to whoever had set up her brother. But first she needed to figure out who wanted Samara dead.
In that vein, she’d been combing over old operation files she still had access to, trying to find out if Seamus had any assets he might be using here in Miami. She’d found a couple of potential hits, so if he was in contact with them, searching them out would be her next move. Because it stood to reason he would reach out to assets.
Damn it, she shouldn’t be outside Dylan’s room. No, she needed to go back to her room. But he was probably inside, naked.
When her phone buzzed in her pocket, she pulled it out and read the text. Are you going to stay out there all night or come in?
She blinked in surprise and looked around the hallway, but didn’t see any cameras. Opening his door, she stepped inside. Cooper looked up from the end of the bed, his big brown eyes sorrowful before he made a sort of snuffling sound. Then he crossed his paws over each other and laid his head back down.
Dylan was in bed, propped up against his pillow, laptop in his lap, and of course the sexy man was shirtless. His ab muscles clenched and tightened as he shifted slightly and she flashed back on that kiss they’d shared. He hadn’t cared that she’d been all sweaty from her workout. Nope, Dylan had never cared about stuff like that. He was a raw, sensual man. Warmth flooded her as she watched him.
She leaned against the doorframe. “How did you know I was outside?”
“It was a guess. Saw the shadow of your feet moving back and forth… And Cooper whined a couple times.” He moved his laptop to the side. “Is Samara okay?”
“Yeah, she’s sleeping.” Which was good. Her friend needed it. “I don’t know why I’m here.”
He gave her an unreadable look then moved the laptop to the night table. As he did, Cooper jumped off the bed. The dog shot them a baleful look before trotting out of the room, no doubt in search of treats.
Sighing, she shut the door behind her and got into bed next to him but didn’t get under the covers. Because yeah, that somehow made this less intimate. She inwardly rolled her eyes at herself. “Leo is right. I’m just bringing trouble to your doorstep,” she said, even as she settled against the fluffy king-sized pillow. His familiar masculine scent teased her, reminding her of the many times they’d shared this very bed together.
Dylan moved closer and wrapped his arm around her shoulders.
She must be a masochist because she leaned into him, laying her cheek against his chest as if this was a normal occurrence. As if they hadn’t been broken up for months and she hadn’t shown up on his doorstep little more than a day ago desperate for help.
“Leo is good at his job. And I don’t care what he thinks about you.”
“Why are you being so nice to me?”
“News flash. I like you.”
She snorted against him but didn’t look up. “I don’t know why. I can be moody and prickly according to Samara.” How could he like the real her?
He laughed lightly, the rumble vibrating through her. “Are you under the illusion that you were sweet and acquiescent when we were together? Because you weren’t. You’re a passionate and sometimes prickly woman. I don’t care. I can be a moody jackass.”
“You say the sweetest things,” she murmured, making him laugh.
His huge room was quiet, with the faint sound of ocean waves in the distance. But the floor-to-ceiling drapes were pulled over the wall of windows, making it seem like they were in a cocoon. As if nothing else existed.
She knew that this moment with him wouldn’t last but she was going to take this calm between them. She was going to grasp this stolen moment with the man she still loved but could never have. “I can’t turn my brain off. I’m just so worried about everything. I’ve never…it’s never been like that for me before. I’ve always been able to compartmentalize things.”
“You can’t compartmentalize when it comes to your family.” He stroked his fingers down her spine in a gentle rhythm she’d missed.
She’d worn a simple black tank top and loose flannel pants with pockets to sleep in. Definitely not what she used to wear when she’d gone to bed with him. No, then she’d worn nothing. This was different, but nice.
“How are you able to take off time from work?” She knew he was busy but he’d stepped up to help her in a big way.
“I pay a lot of people to do their jobs well so I don’t have to micromanage. I’m keeping in touch with the people I need to keep in touch with though. Nothing needs my direct attention right now.”
She sighed, snuggling up closer to him. Being next to him made her feel safe, something she knew was an illusion. Nonetheless, she felt that way with him. As if nothing could touch them. She wished that was true, that they had more time together.
“We were on the news, you know,” he continued.
Frowning, she sat up. “What do you mean?” She’d been so focused on researching Seamus and other things that she hadn’t been watching the local news. It was usually bullshit anyway and she got tired of seeing the same media talking heads discussing the explosion at her brother’s building. She knew what had happened and it cut deep every time she saw a recap of it.
“It was just a quick recording of us. Someone must have caught us leaving the police station.”
Damn. She’d only been with him for a little over twenty-four hours. “What was the news about?”
“Your brothers, mainly. Lots of speculation about the Bishop companies and stock. Questions about the bombing, questions about Ellis being wanted for murder. Then gossip wanting to know if you and I were back together.” His tone was dry.
“Ah,” she said, laying her head back against his chest. “I hope associating with me doesn’t hurt your business.”
He actually laughed. “Don’t worry about that.”
“I miss you,” she whispered. She probably shouldn’t admit that to him, shouldn’t make herself vulnerable. But he deserved it. He deserved much more than she could give him right now. He’d gone above and beyond what a friend, let alone an ex, should do. And they’d never been simply friends anyway. She’d hurt him, yet here he was, stepping up.
He shifted so quickly he took her off guard when he pinned her underneath him. “I miss you too. So why did you leave me?” His green eyes flared with anger. Gone was the calm man she knew so well.
“I told you.”
“What you told me was bullshit. You thought I wouldn’t like ‘this version’ of you. You told me you didn’t want to be stuck in Miami. Then you moved right back here months after you left. If you didn’t want to be with me, that was all you had to say. Not come up with a pack of lies.”
“I do want to be with you.” Her voice trembled. “But it would never work out.”
“Why not?”
She pressed her lips together, not willing to tell him everything. Not yet. Maybe never. She wasn’t noble like him. She was terrified of his rejection. She could admit her
own weakness. Dylan Blackwood.
“You’re not going to answer me?” he pressed.
“No,” she whispered. She tensed, expecting him to kick her out then. She wasn’t giving him the answers he deserved.
To her surprise, however, he crushed his mouth to hers, stealing her breath and her heart.
She ate at his mouth, kissing him in a frenzy. This kiss brought back a flood of naked memories. Him pressing her up against his shower wall. Her riding him on this very bed. His big, strong hands tracing every inch of her naked body… Yep, they both needed to be naked. Right now. Hell, ten minutes ago.
Frenetic energy hummed through her as she shoved at his lounge pants. He wouldn’t be wearing anything underneath if things hadn’t changed. She didn’t tear her mouth from his as she managed to shove them down his long, muscular legs. More memories flashed in her mind, of her touching him everywhere, learning every inch of his finely honed body.
Reaching between their bodies, she wrapped her fingers around his erection and stroked once, groaning as she did. God, she’d missed him.
He moaned into her mouth, sliding his hands under her tank top, cupping her breasts with his big, callused hands. “Clothes off now,” he growled against her mouth, his words uneven.
She could definitely handle that. In record time she stripped her clothes off, desperate to be skin to skin with him.
“I’m still on the pill,” she rasped out as he settled between her legs again. The feel of him on top of her, the feel of his cock thick and heavy between them, was so familiar. Then she froze, realizing that he’d probably been with other women in the last six months. “I’m still clean,” she said carefully. Some of the energy and heat started to dim as reality set in.
“Me too,” he snapped. “And I haven’t been with anyone else, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
Relief washed over her, a soothing balm to her frayed nerves. “Me neither.” It was as if something inside her snapped free as she leaned up, meeting his mouth with hers.
The kiss quickly turned savage as their mouths clashed. They were both so hungry for each other, the energy rolling off him mirroring her own.
How had she lived without him for six months? Hell, how had she lived before him? He was this bright, beautiful swath of color in her world, and once she’d lost him it had been like losing part of herself. She’d never recovered. Instead she’d kept on living her life with a hole inside her.
He reached between their bodies, cupping her mound and sliding two fingers inside her in a smooth, practiced motion.
Her inner walls tightened around him as she arched her hips, rolling up against him. She was soaked.
“Fuck,” he growled against her mouth, his body vibrating with energy.
Then he shifted down her body, burying his face between her legs with no warning. Not that she needed it. And for some reason the action surprised her, though it shouldn’t. He’d always been so raw and sensual.
Her inner walls tightened again, desperate to feel him inside her. But he was clearly going to take his time torturing her—in the best way possible.
He flicked his tongue against her slick folds and teased her clit mercilessly, bringing her right to the edge of climax in the way only he knew how. He’d learned her body long ago and he hadn’t forgotten exactly what she liked. What she needed.
“Inside me, now.” A not so quiet demand.
“Foreplay,” he said as he shifted again, moving up her body and caging her in with his forearms. She loved the way his muscles bunched and flexed.
“Later. Need this now.” She couldn’t even get out a complete sentence, but only force out a few words past her tight throat. She grabbed him by the back of his neck, not that he needed the motivation.
He crushed his mouth to hers again as he settled his cock between the juncture of her thighs. Then he was inside her, thrusting, over and over.
She felt completely filled by him. In more ways than one. Right now was very dangerous for her heart. But it was hard to care as ribbons of pleasure flowed through her, as he thrust over and over, pushing her to the edge of sanity.
He reached between their bodies as she scored her nails down his back. And when he teased her clit with just enough pressure, it pushed her over the edge.
She was already on a tightrope and this was all it took to send her tumbling off. Her climax was fast and sharp.
“Evie!” He let go too, emptying himself inside her in long, hard strokes as she found her own release.
It felt as if her climax went on forever. She clung to him, unable to let go, too afraid of what would happen if she did. Part of her was terrified that this wasn’t real, that she was just dreaming. Eventually she came back to herself, stroking her hands down his spine as she savored the simple act of touching him. It was a miracle she’d lived without him for so long.
He brushed his lips over hers even as he remained on top of her, still inside her. “I’m going to get all your secrets,” he whispered, mirroring what he’d told her yesterday. “That hasn’t changed.”
In response, she kissed him again. He probably would get all her secrets. Because she was weak where he was concerned. And once he had them all, once he knew that she’d targeted him, that she’d used him, he would walk away. But he wouldn’t be able to take her memories. No one could do that.
They were hers and she would keep them locked up tight forever.
Chapter 12
Evie opened her eyes at a buzzing sound. She faintly heard the sound of water running in the background and realized Dylan must be in the shower.
The buzzing continued. What time was it? Oh shit, her phone. She jolted upright and started searching for it. She found it on the floor with her discarded pajama pants. It was only six in the morning so she hadn’t slept too long. Hell, they’d barely slept at all.
Blinking, she read the texts Samara had sent one after the other.
Where are you?
I’m in your room and you’re not here.
Your bed is made. Did you leave?
Crap. She quickly texted Samara back. I’m in the gym. I’ll meet you in your room in just a minute.
She tugged on her pajamas and hurried out of the room. It didn’t take her long to reach Samara’s bedroom. Thankfully she didn’t run into any of Dylan’s security guys—though she was pretty sure they were all outside anyway.
She reached Samara’s room as her friend stepped out of Evie’s bedroom.
Her friend looked her up and down then snorted. “The gym? Is that what we’re calling it now?”
She felt her cheeks flush. It was too early for this conversation. “Shut up,” she muttered. “And what’s up?”
“I should ask you that.” Samara stepped into her room with Evie. “But I’ll give you a reprieve for now. I couldn’t sleep and thought I’d see if you’d found anything new.”
“Not in the last three hours.” She pulled out her phone and checked the apps she had synced with her computer just to be sure. “You’ve got everything I do.” She’d copied Samara on all the information she’d found and vice versa.
“I’m getting sick of being cooped up. We need to hunt down those assets today.”
Evie nodded. She’d already have done it if not for what had happened at her brother’s house—and the subsequent visit to the police station. “I agree.” She looked out the window onto the huge pool and backyard. “I’ve been thinking about telling Dylan the truth,” she said quietly.
Since Samara had been on the Jensen op, she knew how Evie had targeted Dylan for an invite. After Dylan had gotten her the introduction to Jensen, she was supposed to have ended things with Dylan—but she hadn’t. The team hadn’t been thrilled, but she’d pushed back. Samara had been the only one back then who hadn’t given her grief.
“That’s an interesting choice,” her friend said, easing onto the bed and only wincing slightly. If it wasn’t for the threat against her life, Evie was sure she’d be fine to leave Dylan�
�s house.
“It’s pretty obvious we had sex a couple hours ago. And it’s more than just sex for me. Him too. I don’t like lying to him.” It ate away at her insides.
Samara lifted a shoulder. “Technically you’re not lying.”
“I’m withholding information.” And it was the same thing. She wouldn’t reason it away in her own head. That would do a disservice to what she felt for him, what they’d shared.
“Do what you’ve got to do, girl. Let’s figure out who’s trying to kill us first. Then tell him.”
“Okay,” she said, pulling out her buzzing phone again. Telling Dylan now wouldn’t serve any purpose. They needed to figure out who was after them, and once they had…she would come clean. She wondered who the hell would be calling her so early— Her heart skipped a beat when she saw Evan’s cell phone number. She swiped her finger across the screen. “Hey!”
“Hey yourself,” he said, his voice raspy and scratchy.
Tears sprang to her eyes as his familiar voice filled the line. “I don’t know what to say… Can I come see you?”
“Yes. I want to see you as soon as possible.”
Thank God. “I can be there in twenty minutes.”
“Okay. I’ll see you then.” He disconnected before she could respond.
“It’s my brother,” she said to Samara, heading for the door.
“I’m going to figure out our plan of attack for today. Let me know when you leave the hospital and we’ll take care of business.” Samara had a familiar gleam in her eyes that said she was ready to kick ass.
She eyed her friend critically. “Are you up to driving around while we hunt these guys down?” They knew more than most how boring recon work could be. People thought being a spy was all glamorous but a lot of the time it meant sitting in a vehicle or some other spot, watching people. Boring as shit.
“I won’t be able to kick in doors or anything, but I can still be your backup. My brain isn’t broken.”
