Chapter Nine

“I can’t believe what an idiot you sent me.”

The caller was in his car, speeding along the interstate, doing his best to keep his anger under control.

He could imagine Khalid leaning back in the leather chair in his den, white silk shirt open at the throat against his dark skin, tailored slacks freshly creased, booted feet propped up on his desk. Smoke from a thin cigar would be curling into the air in a lazy pattern. With all the rules these days and his family’s preferences for odd indulgences, the caller knew the den was the only place the man could indulge his vice. Arrogance would be evident in every line of his body.

“You were the ones who gave him the instructions,” Khalid said. “Perhaps you didn’t make yourselves clear enough.”

“We were clear all right. There just seems to be a difference of opinion in what ‘disappear completely’ means.”

“She had to be removed,” Khalid insisted. “She was a danger to all of us. And this project.”

“So you say.”

“And your partner,” Khalid pointed out. “We agreed completely on that point, even though for different reasons.”

“In any event,” the caller said, agitated, “a very stupid mistake has been made. I told you something like this could call attention to places and things best left unnoticed and may very well put our plan in jeopardy. I stressed we needed someone who could do this quickly and quietly.”

“What can I say?” The shrug was implied. “Good help is hard to get these days. You knew the time frame gave us few choices. Apparently he misunderstood your instructions. Now you must get rid of him. Deal with the mess and clean it up.”

Bastard, the caller thought. Your man screwed up, and you want to wash your hands of it. If things go wrong, you can hop on your plane and leave us holding the bag. That’s bullshit.

“It was supposed to be a simple job.” The caller was trying very hard to hang onto his patience. “Get rid of the girl. Quietly. Just grab her. Make her disappear. Did your . . . employee think blowing up her car would go unnoticed? Be charged off as an accident?”

“I told you.” Khalid was annoyed now. “The man made a simple mistake.”

Mistake didn’t begin to describe what had happened.

He’d already had this fight with his partner. He hadn’t wanted to do this in the first place. When he’d said they needed to neutralize Mia Fleming, he meant figure out how to discredit her so she wouldn’t be a factor. Making her disappear was an acceptable choice, made reluctantly. He hadn’t meant killing her—at least not in so public a fashion.

He still didn’t perceive her as any real threat. He didn’t even believe in her so-called abilities. The problem was, apparently Dan Romeo did, as did Khalid, and it was creating obstacles he’d rather not have to deal with. The bombing was too extreme and was a major error. Now a member of Romeo’s team had been killed. A bad omen, he was sure. And that one reckless act could draw a great deal more unwanted attention. Even put their plan in jeopardy.

“Surely you don’t think Dan Romeo will simply ignore that the dead man was one of his agents.”

“He can look, but he won’t find anything.” Khalid sounded self-assured. Arrogant.

“Meanwhile the woman is still a problem.” Silence hummed across the connection. “You and Romeo seem to really believe in these so-called visions. I don’t, but what if she somehow comes up with something? Some little thing that they decide points to us?”

“Then figure out a way to defuse her influence. Shift attention away from her. And in a way that would send them off on a wild goose chase.”

“All right. We have a plan that we can activate.” He made a rude noise. “And this one we’ll handle ourselves.”

“Meanwhile you’d better clean up this problem as quickly as possible. Without leaving any tracks back to any of us. There’s far too much money involved here for another mistake of any kind.” The hissing sound of cigar smoke being exhaled drifted across the connection. “So what’s your plan?”

“Compromising the security system without actually committing the theft would have them running in circles. And allow us to get what we need.”

“Really. Exactly how do you plan to do that?”

The voice took on a soft, evil tone. “I think we’ve come up with just the answer.”

* * * * *

Mia had a hysterical urge to laugh when she saw the Phoenix agent that Dan had sent standing in front of her house, leaning against a black SUV. Like every other agent she’d met in this very long day, he was wearing a black jacket, gray slacks, and white shirt.

“Do they all come out of a Play-Doh factory?” she asked Faith. “Same vehicles. Same outfits.”

Faith grinned back, pleased to note Mia was still holding on to her sense of humor. “Phoenix likes it that way. Anonymity works best for them. People can’t tell one from another.”

Mia started to get out of the car, but her expression sobered and she held back. “Do you know this man? How do we really know he’s from Phoenix?”

“I’ll vouch for him.” Faith was already out of the car and on the sidewalk. “Nice to see you again, Drew.”

“Hello, Mrs. Halloran.” Drew shook her hand. “And nice to meet you, Dr. Fleming. I’ve checked everything out, and we’re good to go in. But we need to be as quick as we can, please. Mr. Romeo doesn’t want to give someone the chance to hang around and check you out.”

Mia swiveled her head back and forth. “What if someone’s already here? Hiding someplace?”

“We’ve got it covered. Just hurry, if you can.”

Mia stood in her bedroom, adrenaline draining from her system, suddenly unable to do anything. She was so dazed by the sequence of events and the situation she had trouble collecting her thoughts. Having so little control over her life at the moment made her very uncomfortable. Thank God she had Faith with her, gently prodding, asking did she need this or that.

“I don’t even know how long this will last,” she said in a plaintive tone, holding her hands out in a helpless gesture. “This is so not like me.”

“Don’t worry about it. I had the same problem when Mark was captured. It’s the shock that does it, and you’ve had more than your share today. Look.” Faith sat her down on the edge of the bed. “Chase’s big deal is this Friday. Win, lose, or draw, whatever happens will be over by then. Let’s just make sure you’re safe from here on out.”

“I only hope your aunt can help me get a handle on what I’m seeing. It’s been such a struggle all my life, and I was afraid to seek out strangers for help. I just don’t want anyone else to get hurt or Chase Carpenter’s project to get stolen.” She let out a slow breath and gave Faith a shaky smile, feeling her nerves settling. “I’m better now. Thanks.”

Focused on what she needed to do, Mia stuffed a suitcase with everything she expected to need for the rest of the week. Apparently she’d be away from home until this whole thing was over. In the den she collected her laptop and its case, with her working flash drives zipped into a pocket. As an afterthought, she added two books sitting on a side table. Not that she expected to have the time or inclination to do much reading.

When she opened her front door, Dan was outside in the driveway, talking to Drew. Even though he adopted a casual pose, hands shoved in his pockets, there was an air of alertness about him. Both men turned at the sound of the door opening, and Dan came forward to take her suitcase and laptop.

“All set?” he asked.

“As much as I can be.” She gave him a weak smile. “I thought you were going to meet me at the hotel.”

“I handed everything at the parking garage over to Mark.” He smiled at Faith. “Sorry. He’ll be a little late tonight.”

“No problem. I’m used to it.”

“Thanks for doing this, Faith. I really appreciate it.”

“Any time. You know that.”

“Drew’s going to follow you home,” he told her, “just to be on the safe side. Right now I don’t know who’s in danger and who isn’t. I’d rather you not be alone while Mark’s off meeting with Chase. I’ll call you in the morning, and we can make arrangements for you to collect Mia and take her to your aunt’s.”

In what seemed like seconds, Mia was belted into Dan’s SUV and they were speeding away from her house. Inside she felt shaky, and she was sure it had nothing to do with the day’s events. Being this close to Dan Romeo in a confined space could be dangerous to her hormones. She felt her body responding to their proximity in a way it hadn’t with any other man, and the most intimate gesture he’d made so far was to squeeze her hand.

Except in my vision. If a man in the flesh has never caused me to do what I did in my office, how is it that this man was able to in my . . . whatever it was.

Then she mentally smacked herself.

Quit daydreaming, you idiot. He’s just doing a job. Taking care of, what was it he’d called her? An asset. Yes, that was it. I’m nothing more than an asset. After Friday he’ll be gone, and that will be that. Probably off to spend time with someone as gorgeous as Faith Halloran.

She straightened her spine. At least she’d held up under all the pressures of the day and hadn’t lost her cool. She’d certainly given as good as she got in the conference room. Being an art historian didn’t put her in a lot of challenging situations, but she wasn’t a pushover, either. Once she got a handle on these visions, she’d feel more in control of the situation. And not a liability to Dan or the other men from Phoenix.

“Where are we going?” she asked finally, just to break the silence.

He named a new luxury hotel on the city’s northwest side. “I chose it because it’s quiet and away from the noise of the city. I try to do that whenever possible. Staying downtown doesn’t always work for me.”

“I’m putting you to a lot of trouble.” She felt the need to apologize.

“Not at all. A room’s a room. Besides.” He slanted a half smile at her. “This will go on Chase’s expense account, and he can afford it.”

“Can you tell me what happened at the garage after I left? Everyone looked so angry.”

Dan grunted. “There was a lot of testosterone flying around, for sure. But Chase has a hair-trigger reaction to everything, no matter what it is. I don’t think Joy settles him down, either, but that’s just an off-the-cuff impression. Mark will calm him down. And I think tomorrow we’ll have a better report, so let’s wait until then to go over the details.”

“And Dr. Hunter?”

“Mark actually managed to make him think all this excitement would be good publicity for the museum. Plus, he intimated that Phoenix would be making a contribution to the acquisitions fund.” He chuckled. “Anyway, Hunter thinks it’s also good PR for you to be involved in a high-profile case as long as you’re safe.” He slid a narrow glance at her. “The guy was really concerned about you.”

“He’s very good to work for, but that’s all there is between us, if that’s what you’re asking.”

He was silent for a moment. “I didn’t think to ask before, but is there someone you’re . . . ah . . . in a relationship with? Someone we should notify?”

Mia gave an unladylike snort. “First of all, if there was someone, what kind of person wouldn’t have shown up to see if I’m dead or alive? But to answer your question, no. My ‘peculiarities’ don’t make me particularly attractive date material. I get the curiosity seekers mostly. You know, the ones who want to know what it’s like to have sex with a freak.”

Dan cleared his throat, “Listen, Mia, I—”

“It’s okay. I’ve lived with it for so long it doesn’t even bother me anymore.”

Except I wouldn’t mind finding out what’s behind your tough exterior, Dan Romeo.

“Tell me a little more about the visions you get,” Dan prodded, maneuvering through the dark streets.

“They come to me in bits and pieces. Sometimes I get a clear image, but mostly they’re just fragments. Like a puzzle that I can’t quite put together.”

“That must be very frustrating for you.”

She sighed and pushed her hair away from her face. “You have no idea. You know, I’ve had people write me nasty letters before. Sometimes even gather in front of my house and taunt me when my name’s been in the paper. Although they really must have to search to find those articles. But until this afternoon no one’s ever tried to kill me.”

“That means someone’s scared you’ll turn us onto something. And it doesn’t necessarily have to be anyone who believes in your visions. Just someone who thinks we will.” He reached over and squeezed her arm. “There’s always a positive side to things. This is a good sign that your visions are being taken seriously by whoever’s conjuring something up.”

“If only people didn’t have to get hurt or killed to accomplish that,” she said, her voice sad.

“We’re going to do our best to make sure it doesn’t happen again. You have my word on that.”

She recognized the hotel Dan had chosen as soon as they turned onto the street. A few months ago a museum patron had thrown a cocktail party there that had required her attendance. The décor reminded her of European hotels she’d seen on research trips—understated elegance, guaranteed privacy, every convenience possible for the comfort of the guests. Exactly the kind of place she’d have picked for Dan Romeo to stay in.

Dan parked in the three-story garage rather than turning the car over to the valet. In what seemed like seconds they were in the lobby, he’d picked up the new key cards from the front desk, and had them both up in his new quarters.

Mia looked at the three rooms in the suite and thought them big enough to serve as a small apartment. Yet knowing she’d be sleeping within its confines with Dan, its dimensions suddenly shrank.

“How’s the hand?” he asked.

“Not too bad.” And surprisingly, she was telling the truth. “I took some aspirin at the Hallorans when we got there, so I’m good to go for the moment.”

“Then I think it wouldn’t hurt for you to have a drink before you go to bed,” he told her. “Let’s see what the minibar has to offer.”

“I don’t usually drink,” she protested. “I mean, I mostly stick to wine.” She forced a chuckle. “I’m a cheap drunk, and I don’t like to lose control.”

He smiled at her. “Let’s call this one for medicinal purposes, okay? You’ve had a lot of shocks today. Your system needs to settle down. And I promise not to let you get out of control.”

“Mr. Romeo,” she began. God, that sounded so formal, especially after . . .

He turned toward her, holding two tiny liquor bottles. “Since we’ll be virtually sleeping together, I think Dan and Mia would do a lot better, don’t you?”

Mia could feel the blush creeping all the way up from her toes. “I don’t think . . .”

He winked at her, an unusually informal type of gesture from him. “A joke, Mia. I think you could use a little levity right now. Anyway, I think this is the smartest thing to do. Once all this hits the newspapers tomorrow, it will be the best way to protect you. I don’t want anyone else taking a shot at you.”

“Oh, my God. The newspapers. The television.” She dropped into an armchair. “Oh, hell. The circus is about to come to town. Dr. Hunter will have a fit.”

“Not at all. I told you, Mark’s got it handled. And if there is a problem, we’ll take care of it. After all, we got you into this.”

She shook her head. “No, I got myself into it with my aggravating conscience and that stupid email.”

“Not to worry, anyway. I have a team coming from my office that’s second to none in handling this type of thing. We have clients who don’t even want people to know their names, so we’ve got a lot of experience. Leave it to us.” He handed her the tumbler with brandy in it.

Their fingers grazed against each other, and a spike of heat so intense it felt like fire scorching her skin shot up her arm and into her body, causing her to nearly drop the glass.

Dan’s forehead creased in a worried frown. “Another image?”

She shook her head and took a larger swallow of the brandy than she intended. The sharp bite of the alcohol made her throat burn and her eyes water.

“Easy.” He put his hand over hers, moving the glass away from her mouth. “This is supposed to be sipped. Are you all right?”

No, I’m not. How can I tell you what I felt was the most intense sexual charge you can imagine?

* * * * *

Dan studied the young woman across from him. When he’d first discovered the warning email had come from the DeWitt Art Museum, he’d expected to meet a person he’d already stereotyped in his mind—tall, thin, sallow complexion, hostile attitude. Mia Fleming was none of these, and her appearance had been a great shock to his system.

More than that was the unexpected effect she had on him. Dan didn’t lead the kind of life conducive to lasting relationships. He’d tried it once when he was still a Force Recon Marine, and disaster was too mild a word for what resulted. Since then his relationships had been sexually fulfilling but transient. And emotionally barren. He never made promises because he had no plans to keep them. And the women he spent time with accepted him for what he was.

But here he was, confoundedly attracted to a woman whose safety was now in his care. Of course, he could have assigned anyone to watch her. He had complete confidence in all his men. Yet like a man who keeps hitting his sore thumb with a hammer, he maneuvered to keep her by his side.

Watch it, Dan. Trouble’s stalking you.

This arrangement in the hotel, his own stupid idea, was fraught with danger. He thought about handcuffing himself to his bed so he’d behave himself, then swallowed a laugh. What a sight that would be. Besides, wasn’t he famous for his self-control?

He watched her as they discussed the plans for the following day, her intelligent eyes absorbing everything he said. Hope flashing at the prospect of meeting Faith’s aunt. Resigned dread at the media madness. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and keep her safe from everything.

And if that ungodly flash of heat between them before had been any indication, she wouldn’t offer any resistance.

Sighing, he finished the last of his drink and stood up. “Let’s take a look at that hand before you go to bed and make sure it’s doing all right. I’ve got a first-aid kit in my bathroom.”

He sat her on the edge of the tub, carefully unwrapped the gauze bandage, and checked for swelling or blood seepage. To his experienced eye the wound looked to be doing all right.

“I know the doctor gave you pain pills,” he told her, “but after the brandy you drank I wouldn’t recommend taking anything stronger than aspirin.” He shook two into his palm and handed them to her with a glass of water.

They both stood up at the same time, and suddenly their bodies were touching, crowded into the narrow space between the counter and the tub. Later he might try to recall who made the first move, but now all that mattered was the look in her eyes, the fresh scent of her skin, and the warmth of her soft body pressed close to his. In seconds his lips were on hers, his hands gripping her shoulders, his tongue sweeping into the dark, wet cavern of her mouth.

* * * * *

Mia, shocked by the contact, was held in place by the electricity of it and the feel of his warm, hard body against hers. Unfamiliar surges of heat flooded her, arousing a body that had relegated sex to an unused corner of her life. His big, yet gentle, hands caressed her back, kneading her muscles, while his head slanted this way and that to give him better access to her mouth.

Mia clung to him as if she’d disappear in the air without the anchor of his body. Experimentally she slipped her small tongue into his mouth, and his grip on her tightened. She wanted to melt into him, wrap him around her small self, and block out the rest of the world.

She had no idea how much time passed. It could have been minutes, or even hours, when Dan finally lifted his head. Her lips suddenly felt bereft with the absence of his mouth on hers. She was dazed, her eyes unfocused, her breath escaping her in a ragged pattern. She was sure she’d never get her heart rate under control again.

He studied her face with an unreadable expression in his eyes.

“Mia,” he began.

“If you apologize I will kick you in a place that will hurt very much,” she threatened, striving for some kind of control herself.

He actually smiled. “I won’t apologize because I’m not sorry. But this is a strange situation.”

“No kidding.” She realized he still held her in his grip, albeit a more relaxed one. She had no intention of moving.

“What I mean is . . .” He stopped. “Shit. You’re part of a case I’m in charge of. A vital part.”

“And you never become involved with people who are part of a case or a mission,” she finished for him.

“It’s more than that. Forget for a moment that Romeo’s Rule is never to mix business with pleasure.” He brushed her hair back from her forehead. “You’ve become a target in a cat-and-mouse game. You’re probably the only person who can give us any kind of indication as to what might happen to Oscar—if, in fact, something does happen. Someone is certainly taking you seriously. Your car’s been blown up, you’ve been yanked from the comfort of your home, and you’re still in danger. Any one of these reasons would be good enough to say this should not happen.”

Mia sighed and forced herself to step away from him. “Yes, I can see where that would create a lot of problems. I guess I’m the one who should apologize.”

“No.” He snapped out the word, then took her by her uninjured hand. “Come here. The bathroom is no place for a rational discussion.”

He led her back into the suite’s living room and sat her down in one of the chairs. When she looked up he was standing in front of her with his arms folded across his chest. She could easily see the Force Recon Marine in every line of his body and the steely look in his eyes.

“No lectures, please. Okay? I’m just too weary for it.”

He softened his stance, then knelt in front of her. “No lectures,” he agreed. “But help me out a little here, Mia. Something clicked between us the minute I walked into your office. Don’t try to lie about it, because I know we both felt it. To tell the truth, I don’t know which one of us was more shocked. Maybe still is.”

She nodded, waiting for the rest. Wondering if he’d had a vision, too. Vibrating with a combination of anticipation and anxiety.

“I haven’t . . . I don’t . . .”

She almost laughed to see this tough warrior fumbling for words.

“Okay, I’ll say it for you. You don’t have relationships because it distracts you from your work. You take your sex where you find it, and you don’t find it on your cases. So it would be best for both of us if we forget what just happened.”

He burst out laughing, the sound breaking the tension. Then he sat down cross-legged at her feet. “You are definitely something. And a lot more than I would have taken you for.” He took her hands gently in his. “You’re right on the money in everything you said except for one thing.”

“And that is?”

“This isn’t casual, and I don’t want to forget what just happened. But I don’t want to put you in a position where your credentials are compromised because we’re . . .” He fumbled for the right word.

“Sleeping together?”

“Having a relationship.”

“Which you don’t have,” she reminded him.

He ignored her as he continued talking. “I don’t want to take advantage of you while you’re in a vulnerable state emotionally. I’d hate myself for a long time.”

She was rapidly losing patience. “Damn it, Dan. Do I look like a shrinking violet? Like someone who can be pushed around? I’ve had to be tough to deal with this stupid ‘gift’ and to be able to build a life for myself. I could easily have looked at you just now and told you you’d gotten your signals wrong and to back off. But I didn’t do that, did I?”

Again thoughts of the erotic vision she’d had slammed into her, and a flash of excitement sizzled through her. She looked up at Dan and saw answering heat in his eyes. Saw resistance falling away. As was hers.

“Mia . . .”

She sucked in her breath. “I know.” And she did. Everything was different with this man. All her natural shields were down, her defenses nonexistent.

“This isn’t the time . . . I don’t want to . . .”

“O-okay.” Should have known. He’ll find an excuse. Get over it. Back to dull Mia.

“The hell with it.” He cupped her face with his hands and his warm mouth pressed down on hers, gently at first, then with more urgency. He tasted her lips, licking the edges, nibbling at them before probing the seam with his tongue.

Mia clung to his wrists, anchoring herself, the pain in her hand forgotten. She’d always considered herself slightly repressed sexually, but Dan pressed a switch inside her that opened a door. She opened her mouth eagerly for him, accepting his tongue inside. Exulting when it fluttered and explored. Meeting it with her own.

He prolonged the kiss, tasting every bit of her, wooing her with his mouth before finally lifting his head.

“I don’t usually do this.” His voice was even, but his eyes were heated.

“H-have sex?” She laughed nervously.

“With someone I’ve just met whom I respect. Especially in the middle of a mission.”

Mia’s body tightened, rejection already sweeping over her. “I understand. It’s all right.”

“No.” His mouth was touching hers when he almost shouted the word. “This is different. I don’t know . . . I can’t explain . . . If you want me to stop, now is the time to tell me.”

“Don’t stop,” she whispered.

He swept her up in his arms and carried her into one of the bedrooms. Setting her on her feet, he tossed back the covers on the bed and snapped on the bedside lamp. Reaching into his pants pocket he took out his cell phone and set it on the nightstand before turning back to her.

“I can’t wait to see you naked.” His voice was hoarse with need.

She began to unbutton her jacket but he brushed her hands away.

“Let me. Please.”

He peeled off each layer of clothing as if he were unwrapping a Christmas package. Mia stood there, trembling at his touch, watching his eyes travel over each part of her body as he bared it to his gaze. His hands cupped her breasts with an almost reverent touch, thumbs brushing back and forth over nipples that hardened into peaks. Slivers of lightening flashed through her body, igniting her pulse. A throbbing began deep inside her, radiating outward until she was sure Dan could feel it, also.

He paused long enough to remove his jacket, tie, and shirt before stepping close to her again. His body was just as she remembered it, taut and muscular and golden. Surely he was the most gorgeous man she had ever seen. Tanned, olive skin covered hard, sculptured muscle. Crisp, curly black hair lay across his chest, arrowing down a very flat abdomen to the most enormous erection she had ever seen. Heavy testicles lay against well-defined thighs. Only a long, thin scar that ran from his collarbone to his abdomen marred his beauty, but in Mia’s opinion it only added to his sex appeal.

She sifted her fingers through the soft dark curls on his chest and scraped her nails over his nipples. He rewarded her with a hissing intake of breath. She’d never been an aggressive lover, barely able to respond because her partners never came to her as if they really desired her as a woman.

But Dan made her feel as if she were the sum of all the desirable women in the world rolled into one. He trailed kisses down the column of her neck, nibbled at her ear, licked the upper swell of her breasts before taking one nipple into his mouth. She felt the pull clear down to the center of her pussy, to the clenching of her womb.

He slid his hands around to her back, pulling her tightly against him so her breasts were pressed against that hard wall of chest. Her skin was so sensitive now that she could almost feel every individual curl in that mat of hair.

He was kissing her again, plunging his tongue inside her mouth, barely giving her air to breathe. Somehow her slacks and panties disappeared, and he lowered her to the bed, splaying her legs, his eyes glued to her wet folds. Mia knew she should feel embarrassed. She wasn’t used to having men look at her this way. But somehow with Dan Romeo there didn’t seem to be any self-consciousness.

He leaned over her, running his hands from her shoulders down the length of her arms to her fingertips, his touch firm and light at the same time. His fingers danced along her waist, cupped her breasts than traveled over her tummy to the neat line of hair defining her sex.

Pulling back, he made quick work of his slacks and boxers, then kicked his shoes and socks to the side. Mia’s eyes widened when she saw him fully naked before her. Nothing in the vision could have prepared her for the reality of the man. His cock was proud and erect, the tiny bead of fluid on its broad head gleaming in the lamplight. His sac hung heavy against his muscular thighs. A Roman god, Mia thought, her breath catching in her throat as her eyes took him in.

“I want to taste you.” His voice was thick with hunger. “No, I have to taste you.”

He arranged her on the bed so he was between her thighs, placing a pillow beneath her hips to raise her to him. When his fingers opened her to his view, he took a moment to drink in the sight of her again before bending and lapping the length of her slit.

Mia’s heartbeat stuttered before shifting into overdrive. His tongue was magic, caressing every inch of her throbbing core, rasping against her clit again and again. The same cloud of lust enveloped her that the image had invoked. Only now she didn’t have to bring herself to climax; the Roman god was doing it for her.

The spasms began deep inside her, rocketing into the walls of her pussy, burning through her, blanking out everything except the voluptuous sensation of pulse and beat. When he suddenly withdrew she cried out, hung on the precipice of fulfillment. She opened her eyes to see him dragging his pants from the floor, yanking out his wallet, and fishing inside. The sound of crinkling foil told her what he was doing. She heard his labored breathing as he sheathed himself, then he was back, the head of his shaft poised at the entrance to her hot channel.

“Please,” she urged, in a tight voice, eyes closed. God, she just wanted him inside her. Now.

With one hard thrust he was inside her, the thickness of his shaft stretching her walls and setting off every tiny bundle of nerves. She opened her eyes again to see his taut face just inches from hers and a passion burning in his eyes brighter than any candle flame. He lowered his head and pressed his mouth to hers, invading her with his tongue. The taste of her own flavor was so erotic, so exciting, her body blazed in reaction. She clutched his shoulders, scored his back with her fingernails, wrapped her legs around him, silently asking for more. Deeper.

Slowly, steadily, he moved his hips, rooting deep, his tongue mimicking the movement of his body. Mia could think of nothing but this man, this place, and the pulse racing through her. As he increased his pace he murmured into her mouth, erotic words, things he wanted to do to her. Every word, every groan, only drove her higher.

She felt his incredible control in the tension of his body as he waited for her to peak, for the tight spiral of need to finish unwinding.

“Dan!” she screamed as it crashed over her.

And he let himself go.

The spasms seemed to go on forever, their bodies convulsing together, her inner muscles grabbing his cock with an iron grip. She felt the hot spurt of his cum inside the latex, heating her through the thin barrier, and knew this was beyond anything she’d ever experienced before.

When the pulsations finally ebbed, slowing to aftershocks, then fading to nothingness, Dan collapsed forward, barely keeping his weight from crushing her. The only sound was their labored breathing as they drew air into oxygen-deprived lungs, and the slamming of their hearts, which Mia was sure echoed off the walls of the room.

When his breathing slowed to a manageable rate, Dan pressed light kisses everywhere on her face, telling her better than words could that this hadn’t just been a quick fuck to him. That she was more than that.

He withdrew slowly, took time to dispose of the condom before sliding beneath the covers, taking her with him. He tucked her head under his chin, cradling her with muscular arms that offered comfort, protection, and . . . affection.

Affection?

Mia snuggled back against him, feeling replete and not even aware of her injured hand.

“Sleep,” he urged her in that warm molasses voice of his. “You’ll need it.”

They were both acutely aware that tomorrow was Tuesday. Only three days remained to find out who was behind this and stop them.