Lacey wasn’t herself. At least it didn’t feel like she was really in control.

Maybe Shane was right and she was trying to lose herself in sex.

But that felt wrong. There was no parallel between what was going on around them and her attraction to this man. They were two completely unconnected things. If she could have chosen when it would be convenient to fall into lust over a man, it sure as hell wouldn’t be now or him.

If her travels had taught her anything, it was that she didn’t always get to choose the destination or the journey. She hadn’t chosen Shane, he was just part of her. She wanted him. With no rhyme or reason, this man called to a part of her soul no one else had ever touched before. From that first infuriating moment, when he’d hauled her deaf ass out of the compound, she’d had a thing for him. It made no sense, they weren’t alike, he wasn’t her type, and yet—Shane spoke to her in a way no other person had. Their connection was real, honest and deep.

And because this boneheaded man thought he knew better, they’d never figure out what that mysterious spark was.

She pulled against his grip on her wrists once more then gave up.

If he didn’t want her, then he didn’t deserve her. She’d never before fought for a man’s attention, and she wouldn’t now. Even for him.

Shane bent his arms, lowering his big body a bit. The weight of him pressed her deeper into the mattress, making it harder to breathe. But he was there. In the darkness it was nearly impossible to make out his face, to figure out what he was thinking by the creases around his mouth and the way he looked at her.

The closer he came, the more aware of him she became.

Was this his goodbye?

If it was, he sucked at letting a girl down easy.

He kissed the tip of her nose.

She started, surprised by the almost playful touch.

His lips brushed her cheek and then the corner of her mouth. It was an uncharacteristic and tender gesture from this tough-as-nails man.

She turned her face toward him, wanting more.

Okay, she’d probably beg a little, if she thought she could change his mind. Not a lot, just a tiny bit. Couldn’t he see this wasn’t normal? This spark didn’t happen every day.

“This is a very bad idea,” he whispered.

“I think it’s a very good idea.” She lifted her head and found his lips with hers.

“Lacey.” He made her name sound like both a curse and a plea.

“Please? Shane?” She eased back so she could see as much of him as possible.

There was something he wasn’t saying. She could feel it in his tense muscles, the way his body went stiff in a non-pleasurable manner. Was he afraid of something? Was there a reason why this was a bad idea?

“I don’t want to be someone you regret,” he said slowly, his voice strained.

Oh, wasn’t that a punch in the gut?

Lacey knew what that was like, to be the regret. But didn’t he see that this, right now, was different?

“How could I regret the man who saved my life?” She curled her calf around the back of his.

His hold eased and his hands slid up, joining their palms. She laced her fingers with his, holding onto him.

“I don’t mean that in a flip way. I’m being serious.” She knew how he felt about his coworkers sleeping with their clients. He’d made himself perfectly clear.

It hadn’t stopped them before, though, so she didn’t see why it should now. Unless his conscience was eating at him. She couldn’t do anything about that, except argue that she had no regrets about what they’d done together.

The tension was still there.

“I know you’re turned on.” She could feel the hard line of his erection pressing against her through both their clothes.

“I don’t do this,” he said.

“Fine. Leave, then.” She wouldn’t fight against his moral line in the sand. They’d been over this all ready.

“I can’t.” He nuzzled the side of her face.

“Well, we’re in a pickle then, aren’t we?” She wiggled her toes then pressed them into the sheets. He wasn’t leaving.

“Don’t poke fun at me.” He lifted his head.

“My, we are defensive.” She could hear the frown in his voice. He didn’t like relinquishing his perfect control, even for something he wanted.

“I am not.”

“Okay.” She chuckled.

“Stay right there. Do not move.”

“What happens if I do?” She grinned. Did Shane have any idea how borderline asshole he could be?

“Do you really want to find out?”

Usually, Lacey balked at being told what to do, but with Shane...his orders—in bed—stoked the flames. Besides, she had a pretty good idea that she wouldn’t regret playing along with what he wanted.

Shane pushed up off her. She missed his weight and warmth immediately.

The bed dipped as he moved away from her.

She wrapped her arms around herself, the plea for him to stay sticking in her throat.

She wanted Shane, but she wouldn’t beg him to want her.

The lamp clicked on, the low setting bathing the room in a dim glow.

She blinked at Shane staring at her.

“I want to see what I didn’t get to before.” The hard as stone gaze he leveled at her said there was no room for negotiation on that point.

He grabbed the comforter and sheets, tossing them back in one motion. She drew her feet up, as though she were hiding herself from him. Except, she was still completely clothed. It didn’t matter if she was—or wasn’t—wearing clothes, he seemed to see past all that, deeper than others. Maybe it was him or this attraction they shared, but everything with Shane was different.

He crawled toward her, his gaze studying her as though he were creating a plan of attack.

Knowing him, he probably was.

She gulped. Being the focus of all that purpose was intense. Like before, she knew this wasn’t normal. Connections like this didn’t happen every day.

Shane straddled her hips, forcing her legs back down. He slid his fingers under the hem of her tank top, flattening his hands against her stomach. She sucked in a deep breath, losing herself in his gaze.

He pushed her shirt up, his calloused fingers stroking her skin.

They were the same in that regard. She’d never be soft or delicate. It wasn’t how she was made.

His fingers slid over the curve of her breast and across her stiff nipples. She pressed her thighs together and held her breath. He grasped the nubs between his fingers, rubbing them between his fingers.

Lacey arched her back and sucked down a deep breath.

Dear. God.

Shane’s teeth pinched her lower lip.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and tugged him down, deepening the kiss.

He pulled his hands out from under her shirt, grasped her by the wrists and pried her arms from around his neck.

“I told you—stay right there,” he said.

“I never followed directions well.” She grinned and stretched her arms up over her head.

“That was your warning.” He tapped her nose.

He was playing.

She hadn’t realized it, because he was so damn serious most of the time, but this big, tough guy was unbending a bit. For her.

Shane grasped the bottom of her shirt and tugged it up. She rose just enough for him to slide the borrowed garment up and over her head.

Lacey gulped and lay back, her stomach knotting.

This was always the worst part. Did he like what he saw? Was she lacking? Were her breasts too small? Was she too manly? What?

“Could you be any more perfect?” Shane bent and kissed the place where her sternum met her collar bone.

Her?

Perfect?

She blinked at the ceiling, those words sticking in her head.

There was a list of people who would disagree with his assessment scrolling through her head, but for some reason, their opinions mattered less now.

Shane kissed a line down to the valley between her breasts. She closed her eyes, surrendering to the feel of his touch and kiss. He toyed with her breasts, teasing the stiff peaks with his fingers and mouth.

Lacey arched her back and gave herself over to the pleasure of his touch. She reached down, grasping him by the short hairs at the top of his head, holding onto him.

He flicked his tongue over her nipple and then sat up, the cool air skating over her damp skin. She hissed at the loss of his touch and stared up at him once more.

“I said to stay put.” He tsked and pulled his belt through the loops.

“That’s not fair.” Lacey eyed the belt and swallowed.

“Hands up. You agreed.” He held the length of leather in his palms.

“Did not.”

“Well, you didn’t disagree.”

He was playing with her, but in his own way. She already knew it would be worth it, so why the hesitation?

“Fine.” She huffed and stretched her arms above her head.

Shane leaned over her, wrapping the belt around her wrists and then attaching it to some part of the headboard she couldn’t see. He grinned down at her and any apprehension she’d had about this moment evaporated. How could she not love that face?

Wait—love?

That was a little extreme, even for her usual of rushing into things headlong without a second thought.

It was the moment, the intensity, that was it.

Shane sat back on his heels, fingers hooked in the waistband of her pants. Her mental detour had made her miss a bit. He pulled the remaining bits of her clothing down her legs, stripping her bare.

He bent every so often, kissing her thigh, the top of her knee. For such an alpha, demanding kind of guy, he could be surprisingly gentle and thoughtful. Shane was more than he appeared. So much more.

She pulled at the belt holding her. The catch rattled against something. She twisted her hand. The loop was big enough she could easily wiggle free, but again—did she want to?

Shane tossed her clothing off the side of the bed, his eyes never leaving her.

Hell no, she didn’t want this to stop. She wanted to see this through, to feel him inside of her, to be with him, to hold him.

He bent forward and kissed her mound. She swallowed and goose bumps broke out along her arms and legs. He stared up at her and she held her breath.

Shane slid one hand under her knee, moving one leg then the other until he had her spread open.

Oh, boy...

“I know this will be hard for you, but you have to be very quiet. Understand?”

Lacey couldn’t make her mouth work, so she nodded instead.

He caressed her slit, sliding his fingers along her damp skin. He applied more pressure dipping one digit then another past her labia.

“Damn, you’re wet. I thought it might have just been the rum.”

“Alcohol doesn’t make me horny, just chatty.”

“Noted.”

She shifted her hips, seeking a deeper touch.

“Remember, you have to be very...” His breath warmed her mound. “Very quiet.”

He thrust his thick fingers inside of her. They were just fingers, but she still gasped. It was him, and that was what mattered. She gripped the headboard and planted her feet on the bed, pressing her toes down.

Shane kissed her mound, lower, his tongue sliding over her flesh, exploring her body. It was an intimate touch. He slid farther down and kissed her again, his tongue dipping between her labia. His fingers curled within her, stroking her inner walls. He pressed the flat of his tongue over her clit and she lifted her hips up off the bed.

He hummed against her and kissed again, his lips sliding over her, his tongue stroking her flesh. Each pass of his tongue drew the clitoral hood back, exposing the bundle of nerves to his touch.

She panted for breath and wiggled her toes.

He lay his other arm across her hip, holding her in place. He gently stroked his fingers over her mound, exposing her further to his kiss.

Shane pressed his mouth to her clit, then licked.

“Oh—”

She turned her face, using her arm to mute herself rather than cry out.

His lips and tongue made love to her, while his fingers curled within her.

She tried to move, but his hold on her was too tight. She was at the mercy of his touch stoking the desire within her.

“Shane...” She whispered his name and peered down at him.

He stared up at her, his dark gaze full of lust. He wanted her like this. It wasn’t just for her benefit—he wanted her, too.

That knowledge sent ripples through her body, tipping her over the edge. She groaned and shuddered, pleasure robbing her of her senses. Mini explosions of fireworks blossomed behind her eyes as her insides seemed to quake and shudder at Shane’s command until it was too much. She twisted her hips and he seemed to get the drift, easing out of her, stroking her skin as the rest of the world faded away until it was just the two of them.

Her, and this wonderful, pain-in-the-ass man.

Shane lay beside Lacey, her face buried in the pillow and her arms twisted over her head. Every time he touched her, she jumped as though shocked by electricity, so he’d stopped.

He hadn’t broken her, had he?

He’d been a bit more enthusiastic than he intended. It’d just felt right.

“Lacey? Sweetheart?” He reached over and cupped her chin. Concern was eating at him.

“What?” She glared out of the corner of her eye at him, as though how dare he disturb her.

“You look a little broken there.” He reached up, sliding his fingers between her and the belt. He’d been careful, but in the heat of the moment he could have made a mistake.

Well damn.

The belt wasn’t holding her at all. She had a death grip on the headboard’s center support.

“You shouldn’t be so good with your mouth, then.” She blew a strand of hair out of her face.

He chuckled and placed his hand on her side.

She wasn’t a woman he had to worry about being gentle with, which was far more appealing than he’d ever thought possible. She took every side of him in stride without shrinking from who he was. It was new and refreshing.

“Hm.” She rolled, arching her back and smiling at him, her eyes heavy-lidded from pleasure.

If he were a gentleman he’d leave her like this. Sleep would do her a world of good, but he’d already proved he was incapable of leaving her.

He cupped her breast, just the right size for his hands.

She hissed and flattened her body to the mattress.

“Too much?” He pulled his hand back.

“They get sensitive after an orgasm like that.” She chuckled. “I wasn’t ready. Try again now.”

“You don’t have to be ready, I could just...not.”

“I like your hands on me and in me.”

Shane groaned and his dick twitched. The zipper teeth were going to be permanently tattooed on his penis if he didn’t get out of these jeans soon.

“Did I say something wrong?” Lacey chuckled. The minx. She knew exactly what she was doing to him.

He pressed his hand to his groin in an attempt to calm his erection.

“You know, I’m not against—”

“Whatever you’re going to stay, don’t.” He closed his eyes. Her purring voice was inviting enough. He didn’t need her words to paint a black and white picture for him.

“Want me to lend a hand?”

“Stop.”

“Oh, come on, Shane.” Her toes rubbed against his leg.

“I’m trying to not come in my pants and you aren’t helping.”

“I see. Where were you planning on coming, may I ask?”

“Lacey.”

“What? I’m just trying to say I could make a few suggestions.”

“I’m going to shove a pillow case in your mouth if you don’t shut up.”

“You should have warned me you were into that sort of thing.”

“Usually, I’m not, but for you I’ll make an exception.” He rolled almost off the bed, swinging his legs to the floor at the last moment and stood.

“You’re just going to leave me tied up here?” Lacey pulled against the belt, her eyes impossibly large.

“Your left hand’s not even in the belt anymore, which means your right hand could slide out.”

“Damn it.” She sighed and let her left arm drop to the mattress.

Shane hauled his shirt off and tossed it on the floor.

He needed to think about something other than the naked woman or he’d blow his load before he got the condom on. He tossed his wallet on the side of the bed and eased his jeans to the floor. He was hard enough it was nearly painful.

He focused on what he was doing, the simple act of undressing. The cool air felt good against his heated skin. He could still smell Lacey on him, hear her rustling the sheets.

Shane opened his eyes to find Lacey on her side, watching him. Her eyes seemed to dance with so much light it was nearly magical. He wasn’t kidding when he’d said she was perfect, and for this brief time, she was allowing him to hold her. He’d take what he could get and when she left, he’d be broken, but at least he wouldn’t have regrets.

He pulled the condom out of his wallet and tossed it on the mattress. That done, he crawled across to her. She rolled to her back, her lips curling up.

He’d put that smile on her face. It made him more than a little proud.

She opened her mouth and before she could get a word out, he pressed his finger across her lips.

“Unless you’re telling me to fuck off and get out, I don’t want to hear whatever suggestions you have, got it?” Because she’d likely say something that would make him lose it right here and now.

She kissed his finger.

“You’re no fun.” She sighed.

“That’s not what you were saying a few minutes ago.” He grinned and sat back on his heels.

“Whatever I say during an orgasm cannot be held against me.” She blinked. “What did I say?”

“Plenty.” He winked. She’d muttered a few unintelligible words, but he didn’t have to tell her that. He grabbed the condom and tore it open.

“You’re the worst.”

“Then why are you looking at my cock like it’s what you want for Christmas?” He rolled the condom on and squeezed his shaft.

“I’d rather not wait that long, thank you very much. Besides, if you had that boner that long, I’d be seriously worried about your health.”

“Thank you for your concern.” He chuckled and pitched forward, catching himself on one hand.

Her legs curled around his thighs, pulling him closer.

“You’re so damn beautiful, you know?” He stared down at her.

Lacey’s lips curled up into a smile, but she had no quick quip for that.

“I’m not saying that because I’m about to put my cock inside of you, either.”

She opened her lips.

He thrust and she gasped, whatever comment she’d been about to make silenced.

Her pussy was warm, drawing him in deeper.

“Fuck,” he muttered and dropped his head forward.

“Oh—Shane.” Lacey’s pupils were huge, her features relaxed.

He pressed his pelvis to hers, sinking as deep as he could get while her vaginal muscles contracted and stretched around him.

Shane bent until he could wrap his lips around her nipple. He suckled the stiff nub and she gasped. He pressed his teeth to the sensitive flesh and she whimpered, her pussy constricting around him.

Good.

He wanted her as mindless as he was.

He pushed up, just enough to grip her by the hips, and thrust. Her breasts jiggled. She wrapped her legs tighter around him and arched her back. He moved her, controlling the depth and force of how their bodies joined. He’d wanted this to last longer, but after watching her come apart and tasting her, that just wasn’t happening. The best he could do was to make her as lust-crazed as he was.

She swiveled her hips, using his body to leverage hers, meeting his thrusts in time

Lacey stared up at him, never once glancing away. This was them—together—without a doubt. He wasn’t the only one feeling something. It was mutual, lustful destruction.

He thrust into her tight pussy and hissed. He withdrew and thrust, her legs constricting around him until he shoved deep and hard, nearly driving her up the bed.

She groaned, and her lips parted.

He lifted her higher off the bed, changing the angle, and thrust again.

Her jaw dropped, and her eyes went wide.

Whatever spot he’d just found he needed to map.

Shane thrust, watching her face, until he felt her begin to shudder. Her pussy tightened around him.

“Fuck,” he muttered and leaned forward working himself in and out of her.

She curled her one arm around his shoulders, her nails digging into his skin.

“Lacey!” Her name was forced from his lips as the rush of orgasm took him by surprise, his spine tingling and the world fading away.

God damn that pussy magic.

He collapsed next to her, his every nerve thrumming from pleasure and his body giving out. She wrapped her arms around him, stroking his back and shoulders.

“You aren’t a total lost cause, stick in the mud,” she said.

“What?” He could hardly process her words.

“You’re pretty fun sometimes.” She tapped his nose and snuggled closer.

“Can you stop talking for five minutes?” He wanted to bask in the post-sex bliss for at least a few breaths.

“Fine.” Lacey wrapped herself around him, quiet and content.

He peered down at her.

For some reason, her not talking didn’t seem to bode well for him.

She blinked up at him.

“What’s that look for?” he asked.

“Nothing.”

“Nothing always means something.”

“You’re so not nice to me.”

“I would argue that point.” He blew out a deep breath, and it felt as though the mattress welled up on all sides, sucking him down.

Lacey chuckled.

He smiled at the top of her head and kissed her brow.

She was trouble, pure and simple, but the best kind.

“I am not a stick in the mud,” he said.

“You can be, Mr. I-follow-all-the-rules.” She prodded his side.

“Not all of them.” He captured her wrist, brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm.

“Okay, most of them, most of the time.”

“I don’t know any other way.” Come to think of it, he’d always followed the letter of the law when it came to rules and orders. It was just how he was wired. “I never thought about it like that until now.”

“I haven’t upset your world order, have I?” She pillowed her cheek on his chest.

“Yes, but maybe I needed it? Maybe I needed you all along?”

He’d heard a proverb once, about a light bearer showing the way out of a maze. It’d been a convoluted story told through a translator, and he’d never thought about it since that moment, but maybe that was what Lacey was. His light bearer, showing him a different way to live.

“What’s that look for?” He traced the line furrowing her cheek.

“I usually let people who count on me down. I don’t want to let you down.”

“Everyone lets everyone else down at some point. We can’t all be perfect.”

“Yeah, I just...” Lacey rolled to her back.

He turned toward her, sensing a deep movement in the current that connected them now.

“I like you a lot, you know? And I just feel like...” She blew out a breath.

It wasn’t just him.

That was a bit of a relief.

He splayed his hand on her stomach, one of hers sliding up to cover his.

“How about this? No promises, no plans. We see what happens, how things turn out for the next few days, and we take it from there, okay?”

Shane knew she would leave him someday. A wild thing like Lacey wouldn’t stop being free for someone bound in habit the way he was. But maybe, for a moment or a day or a month, they could be together, and he could learn to see the world through her eyes.

Marcos peered up at the five-star hotel. For all its glamour and comfort, the thing was also a fortress, outfitted to protect politicians, celebrities, dignitaries and other important people. Marcos’ team couldn’t penetrate to the penthouse without drawing the attention of the police, which meant that so long as the targets were in there, they were out of his reach.

If he had different people, a hand-picked team, they could breech the building with a covert tactical assault, but he didn’t have the funds or time to pull together that caliber of people.

They needed another plan. One to draw the targets out into the open.

For that, he needed the Torres brothers.

His client was pissed. Marcos hadn’t been able to avoid telling him. Instead of threats fueled by fear, the client was even more committed to seeing the gig through. It gave Marcos options, and right now he needed them. His time was running out.