SATURDAY, ERBIL ROTANA, Erbil, Kurdistan.

Erin put her head on Riley’s shoulder.

His comfort made the soul eating misery worse. At every turn he’d been there for her, even when he shouldn’t have. He’d broken rules for her, shown her kindness without pity. He was her sweaty, dirty hero.

“What’s wrong? Tell me how to fix it.” He stroked her face, his fingers drying her tears.

How did she tell him everything she’d said about herself was a lie? That she’d bought into this idea she could do it all, be a one-woman army, and she couldn’t. There was no one to blame but herself. She’d chosen this path.

“You can’t help me. Not really.” She sat up, putting a little distance between them.

“Try me. Come on.” He tugged on her hair.

Riley was one of the good ones. But what she needed he couldn’t give her. “I should just try to get some sleep,” she muttered.

“No, talk to me.” He wrapped some hair around her finger that simple action holding her hostage.

She swallowed.

The kind of help she needed was years of emotional support. A human connection. Someone to grow old with. Hell, maybe have those kids her mother kept bugging her about. She wanted to change her life, to be with someone. But she couldn’t force him into that role, no matter how much she liked him or how he made her laugh.

“Erin? Are you going to make me cash in my points?”

“I don’t think you have enough.”

“Sure I do.” He smiled at her. The starlight seemed to twinkle in his green eyes. There was something almost boyish about him like this.

She swallowed and her heart did that first, painful twinge. It was like an acrobat’s hop before a leap. She clenched her hand in the terry cloth fabric of her robe and braced herself for the free falling rush of her heart diving into feelings she had no business having for a man she’d known for a day.

“What’s going on in there?” he whispered.

“Nothing.” Erin gathered her robe around her and stood. She couldn’t tell him her foolish heart was falling for him. Her head knew better, but this was a losing battle. Riley pulled her back onto his lap.

“It’s never nothing.” He nuzzled her cheek. “How can I make you smile again?”

Erin closed her eyes. By being as much of a hopeless, silly romantic as she was? She’d tried to smother this part of her, refuse it existed, but the truth was she’d always wanted a partnership. Joining the army had given her that for a time, but she craved something deeper. Something on a personal level. Sex was merely a bandage for her deeper needs.

Riley kissed the corner of her mouth, his lips lingering against her skin.

She swallowed. Did she take what he was offering? It wouldn’t be enough, but for a few moments she’d feel like it was. Where was the harm? She was already going to have a broken heart to nurse. Might as well make the best memories to hold onto, because in a day or two, he’d be gone and all she’d have were these moments together to keep her company. At least until she figured herself out.

Erin turned her head slightly, not much. Barely a fraction of an inch. It was her unspoken permission.

Riley pushed his fingers through her hair and gave it a little tug, pulling her face toward him. His nose bumped her cheek. She swallowed and her stomach knotted. The heat unfurling in her stomach rolled through her.

She hungered for Riley. It was illogical, and she knew it, but it didn’t stop her heart from going into a full swan dive. At least he was one of the good ones. Her only regret with him would be not enough time. And falling asleep.

“I’m going to kiss you,” he whispered.

“Is that a threat?” Because her insides were shaking.

“It’s a promise.”

Riley’s stubble scraped her cheek. His mouth found hers in a firm, demanding kiss.

Riley in charge.

Erin was a goner, and she didn’t even care. She sighed and parted her lips, his tongue slipping past. She could still taste the hint of the alcohol and mint. She cupped his cheek and surrendered to her desire.

His hand slid under her robe. She sucked in a breath, her nipples hardening in anticipation. Riley slid his fingers along the hem of her shirt, caressing her stomach. She tipped her head back, her head buzzing too much. He kissed her neck and his palm skated up her side. She clutched him closer, relishing the sensation of his skin on hers. There was something about a man with rough hands that completely undid her. she wanted to feel him touch her everywhere. All over.

There was too much fabric between them for that. The bulky robe had to go. She sat up, putting a little distance between them and shrugged one arm free. Riley stared at her, his green eyes focused on her. From the unwavering gaze to the slightly sunken in cheeks, he wore his desire for her to see. This wasn’t a pity fuck. She got her other arm free. The robe fell to the floor.

“Why stop there?” He grinned at her and pulled her shirt up, his hand rising higher against her spine.

She grabbed the hem of her shirt and pulled it up over her head. The cool air didn’t register against her bare skin, not with the way he stared at her. she was hot all over.

With the starlight, she could see everything. The desire staring back at her, the way his lashes seemed to catch the light and make the green of his eyes more vibrant. All the scars lining his chest. He was her type, and yet something about this, being with him, was different. She could feel it in her bones. Maybe it was her, finally accepting she couldn’t do this anymore. Or maybe it was something else. Whatever it was, she’d figure it out later.

His hand slid around her ribs to cup her breast.

“When we first met, I didn’t have you pegged as a tactile woman.” He bent his head and kissed the middle of her sternum. His thumb circled her nipple, teasing the stiff flesh.

“What?” She closed her eyes and curled her toes.

“I’m serious.”

“Will you stop talking?” If she began explaining herself she just might dig herself a hole.

“Fine by me.”

Riley wrapped his arms around her, picked her up. Erin yelped, but he moved too fast. One moment she was sitting on his lap, the next she was on her back, laid out on the lounge. He grinned down at her, far too pleased with himself. Her heart did a painful somersault. She couldn’t even tell herself to lower her expectations because she already knew he wasn’t a selfish lover.

He dipped his head, their noses bumping before he kissed her mouth. She curled her arms around his shoulders. His hand slid past the waistband of her yoga pants and into her panties. She groaned, already acquainted with his talented fingers. He cupped her mound, stroking her folds. She groaned and lifted her hips, but he kept the contact gentle.

Erin’s body was too hot, her insides twisted up with need. If she didn’t come soon, she’d burst. Riley clearly had a slower pace in mind, but she couldn’t handle that. Not right now. She was too raw.

She slid her hands down his chest, but the farthest she could reach were his abs. Those wondrous little ridges of muscle. She groaned into the kiss, but he merely chuckled.

“I’m going to do this right,” he said against her cheek.

“What was wrong about the last two times?”

“It’s hard to really enjoy it when you have to worry about people walking in.”

She groaned her frustration

“I’m going to enjoy this,” he muttered against her neck.

She sighed and closed her eyes, focusing on the feel of his lips against her neck and chest. She arched her back a bit as he neared her breasts. The hand between her legs pressed against her more firmly. Her breath caught in her throat as his fingers circled her entrance, teasing the nerve endings.

“Yes.” She lifted her hips again, and he thrust into her.

“God damn,” he muttered.

She whimpered and shifted her hips, hungry for release.

His lips wrapped around her nipple and she gasped. She curled her hands into his hair, holding onto him as his fingers slid in and out of her. She closed her eyes and gave herself up to the sensations zinging through her. Her lust for connection had nothing on her desire for Riley.

He slid another finger inside of her and she groaned, tipping her head back and thrusting up into his hold. He crawled up her body until he could kiss her, possessing her body.

Yes!

Erin reached between them, fumbling with the waistband on his sweats for a moment, but she finally slid past the material and grasped his cock. No underwear. Nice.

She pumped his length, the precome slicking his skin. He rocked into her hold and groaned, hitting notes of need she was familiar with.

“Fuck,” he muttered.

She hadn’t forgotten the bathroom, how she’d caught him off guard, the shock on his face from how quickly he’d come.

“You’re trying to make this short, aren’t you?” He grasped her by the wrist and pulled her hand from around his cock.

“Please, you’ve got at least sixty seconds in you.”

“Sixty seconds? You think you’re funny, don’t you?” He grinned and pushed up, treating her to a wonderful view of his body.

“You are laughing,” she said.

“Well, I hope the next sixty seconds don’t disappoint.” He turned toward the dresser. One, casual shove at the pants and they hit the floor.

His ass was damn near perfect, round and hard.

Erin grinned and pushed her yoga pants and panties down her legs, onto the floor. She rolled to her side and propped her chin in her hands, enjoying the show.

Riley grabbed the box of condoms from the top dresser drawer and ripped it open. She’d purchased the box with wishful thinking in mind, and now she was glad she’d taken the initiative. She did always believe in being a prepared woman though she couldn’t have anticipated Riley.

He tore the packet open and turned, not completely around, but just enough so she could see him roll the condom on. She swallowed, remembering the feel of him, how he’d twitched in her palm.

Riley glanced at her, one side of his mouth hitched up.

He was doing this on purpose, treating her to a show.

She crooked her finger at him.

This wasn’t just sex or lust, it was fun. Because of Riley, how he made her focus on these micro moments.

“You ready for this sixty seconds?” he asked.

“Get over here,” she said.

He walked toward her, his cock bobbing with each step. There was a glint in his eye she didn’t quite trust. He was up to something.

She wasn’t going to forget tonight. It was going to stick with her, sixty seconds of satisfaction or no. The sex didn’t matter, it all boiled down to Riley and her. That was what set this apart.

He stopped next to the lounge and bent, kissing her mouth. He dug his hand into her hair, grabbing a handful. She pushed up, wanting more. He tugged on her hair, so she got on her knees, splaying her hands on his abs.

“Turn around,” he said.

A shiver went through her. She wasn’t the only one with needs or ideas. She grinned and turned, bracing her forearms on the back of the lounge.

“Like this?” She peered over her shoulder at him.

“Yeah.” Riley twisted her hair around his hand.

Her breath caught in her throat and she closed her eyes.

“Is that too hard?” He kissed her shoulder, across to the base of her neck.

“I’ll tell you when,” she said.

“Got your timer ready?”

“Shut up.”

“What if I last longer? Do I get a prize?”

“This isn’t good enough?” She pressed her hips back against him.

He chuckled. Try as she might, she couldn’t keep from joining him. This is what she really wanted.  The connection, the mutual desire. She liked who she was with Riley. He understood her, the drive that pushed her to come here, to do what she’d thought was best.

His fingers slid along her folds, bringing her back to the moment.

The pleasure would be a bonus. The real treat was being here with him.

“Fuck, you’re wet.” He pressed his forehead to her shoulder as his fingers slid inside her.

She rocked back until she felt his knuckles against her.

“Sixty seconds,” he whispered.

“Shut up.” God, she was going to regret those words.

Erin leaned forward and his fingers slid out of her. She dropped her head forward and listened to the cushions as he shifted, felt the press of his thighs against hers.

Riley tugged on her hair. She rocked back, meeting the head of his erection. His hand closed on her hip and he thrust. She dug her nails into the cushions, sucking in breath as he filled her.

“Oh, God.” She dropped her forehead to the cushion.

“Put in a good word for me?” Despite the humorous question, his voice was strained.

Erin laughed, caught off guard.

He leaned over her, gripping the cushion next to her arm, covering her body with his. He kissed the back of her neck, a tender gesture she wasn’t prepared for. Her insides quivered, and she squeezed her eyes shut.

“Timer’s running.” He was breathless, and they’d barely begun.

She opened her eyes just enough to see his hand, all the tendons sticking out in stark relief. He eased out of her, the grip on her hair relaxing. She squeezed the cushions, holding on tight, but it didn’t prepare her. He pulled on her hair, her scalp prickling. At the same moment he thrust, rocking her forward. Quakes of pleasure shook her, and she knew she was in over her head.

Riley wrapped more of her hair around his hand. She rocked forward, unwilling to wait for him. His cock slid from within her. Without warning he tugged sharply on her hair, rocking into her. His hips pressed against her ass.

She swallowed, but it was difficult. Her whole body vibrated with the sensation of fullness, being alive.

“Oh, yes,” she whispered.

Riley gripped her hip, pushing her forward. She turned her head. The image of him behind her, his gaze focused on the point where their bodies joined, would be burned into her mind forever. There was something about the intensity, how every fiber was focused on that one point, that resounded within her.

He glanced at her, their gazes locking.

Did he know she was a hopeless romantic? Had she guarded her secret well enough?

He pulled on her hair. She pushed back against him, their bodies joining harder this time. She whimpered and buried her face in the cushions.

This time he didn’t guide her. He kept a tight hold on her hair and drove into her again and again. She rocked back, but he was in control. He fucked her with long hard strokes, thrusts that left her gasping for air. Her body hummed with the pleasure of it.

Riley groaned and leaned forward. He gently bit her shoulder, and she shivered. She loved his contradictions, funny and demanding. Strong and gentle. This world hadn’t ruined him.

He let go of her hair and reached around, his fingers stroking her mound. She flexed her hips, rocking forward then back. There wasn’t much distance to play with, but it was something. He found her clitoris by feel. She shivered the moment he pressed his finger to it. He massaged it in a little circle, short-circuiting the rest of her rational thought.

She moaned and rocked against him in time to his stroking, the coil of desire tightening inside her. As much as she wanted to go on like this, her body could only take so much.

Riley dug his hand into her hair and pulled her head to the side. His mouth kissed hers and her desire spiraled out of control. Her vision blurred, and she whimpered as the pleasure branded this moment onto her soul forever.

“Fuck yes,” Riley groaned.

He eased off her clit and rocked into her. His motions were jerky, uneven, out of control. He wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her limp body to his with a shout.

They stilled, sucking down oxygen. Her face was mostly buried in the cushion while Riley’s chest pressed her further down.

Erin was totally wrecked. Whatever control of her choices and this thing between her and Riley she’d thought she had, it was gone now. She couldn’t keep lying to herself, telling her poor heart that moments like these were enough. They weren’t. She wanted to keep tallies with Riley. She wanted to find a damn stopwatch for the hell of it. She wanted more. She deserved more.

“I lost count around eighty,” he said between breaths. He sat up, clearly more in control of himself than she was at the moment.

“And there goes the moment.” She hid her smile.

“I hate to break it to you, but I’m human and male. I can only do one thing at a time.” He braced his hand on her hip and eased their bodies apart.

“You did pretty well.” More like fucking fantastic, but she couldn’t say that.

“Was that a compliment?” Riley pulled her back until she sat on his lap again.

“Don’t let it go to your head.” She wrapped her arms around his neck and smiled.

“That was a compliment.” He closed one eye and did another imaginary slash on his invisible tally board.

She shook her head and kissed his cheek, allowing herself this much.

He turned, kissing her back.

“If we didn’t need sleep, you’d be in trouble,” he said.

“Who needs sleep?”

“You do. And, I’m afraid I don’t run on batteries.”

He stood with her cradled to his chest.

These moments were numbered, and she had to enjoy them.

He carried her to the bed and set her down, then crawled in behind her.

“Just for a moment,” he whispered.

He wrapped his arms around her, spooning her.

She squeezed her eyes shut, her throat tightening with panic. They’d known each other for a day. She shouldn’t be in this much danger after a little more than twenty-four hours, but she was. In that much time, with a little kindness, Riley had driven home every reason why this job wasn’t working out. And he’d done it all before they had sex. The fooling around didn’t count. She’d fallen for him before that, when he sat up drinking tea and eating biscuits with her. Maybe she was too sad, pathetic and lonely, or maybe it was him. She couldn’t tell anymore, but she did know that when her heart broke, it would shatter her.

SATURDAY. ERBIL, KURDISTAN.

Mark tossed his helmet down into the floor board. Hours of driving aimlessly were doing nothing but burning fuel. He needed a solution. The bitch couldn’t have vanished. People didn’t teleport. She was in Erbil somewhere and he’d find her.

He glanced at the time.

It could be worth trying again.

He pulled into a parking lot and scrolled back down through his contacts. Over the years he’d cultivated favors from a lot of people for a variety of reasons. Even if it was to just have someone in his debt. Out here, a favor could go a long way at the right moment.

Kurdistan was different from the world surrounding it. It was heavily guarded, and the military took even the most routine check-point sweep seriously. Which meant there was a real-time record of when people crossed the city and where they were going. Getting access to that data was near impossible. Without the right connection.

Mark pressed dial once more and listened to the phone ring.

He’d done a minor favor for one of the chief technical officers working with the checkpoint guards. If anyone could track a person across the city, it was him.

“What?” the man on the other end of the line snapped.

“Good evening,” Mark drawled.

“You’ve called me five fucking times. Why?” The man sounded more tired than angry.

“I’m looking for someone. She’s in trouble and I need help locating her. Please? I don’t want to have to call her family and tell them I don’t know where she is.” Mark put his own desperation in his voice to sell the story.

“What the hell are you involved with now?” The man sighed. “Who is she?”

“Erin Lopez. She works for NexGen. Last time anyone saw her, she was in a dark SUV with an American man. I don’t know what they have on her, but she’s not with them willingly. Please, I know this isn’t the way things are done, but I’ve got to find her before they make her disappear. You know how the Americans can be.”

“How long has she been missing?”

“Couple of days.”

The man blew out a breath. “Hold on.”

Success.

Mark wasn’t a praying man, but he thanked whatever god was listening to him.

“I’ve got her going through a check point around nine. I’m texting you the details, but you did not get this from me, understand?”

“Yes.”

“Lose my number. I can’t help with every sob story, okay?”

“You’re doing the right thing.” Mark hung up and slumped in his seat.

A break. Finally. It was exactly what he needed.