“Hi, how’s everything?” I question Agent Smith when I arrive at the safe house for my next shift.

She rises from the recliner and jerks her head toward the kitchen. My eyes sweep to Zoe sleeping on the couch, before I follow after Karyn.

“How is she?”

She holds her hand up, tipping it from side to side. “So-so.”

“What’s going on?” My arms cross over my chest and my head cocks to the side, ready to listen.

“She had a tough day. It was her mom’s birthday and it brought up a lot of bittersweet memories for her. She’ll be okay, but she’s emotionally drained.”

“That’s why she’s asleep so early?”

“Yeah. She melted down after dinner and we talked it out. She wanted to watch How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days, but she was out before the first half was over.”

I’m not surprised at her movie selection after what she told me about watching it with her parents. “I’m just gonna let her sleep for now. She probably needs the rest more than anything.” Maybe by the time she wakes she’ll feel better.

“Poor angel’s been through enough. I can’t wait until the trials are over and she can return to her normal life.”

I nod but find myself wondering what her new version of normal will mean. I know her future will be nothing like she envisioned seven weeks ago.

Agent Smith leaves and I sink down into the recliner. Opening my laptop, I take care of answering emails and finish up reports I need to write. It takes me the better part of three hours until I’m shutting down my laptop and setting it aside on the table. When I glance at my watch I notice it’s after eleven o’clock and my eyes travel to Zoe, observing her sleeping form. Lying on her back, she’s stretched out, hands folded neatly over her stomach. Her oval face so serene in sleep, doesn’t hint at how expressive it can be when she’s in the midst of a discussion. No one would guess her striking sky colored eyes could flash like the bluest part of a flame when she’s angry or how they sparkle adorably when she laughs.

Rising to my feet, I stretch and roll the tightness from my neck. I roam from room to room, making sure everything is locked up and secure, before I scoop Zoe up from the couch. Carefully, I carry her down the hall and into the room she’s using. Tugging the covers back, I gently set her down on the mattress and switch on the bedside lamp, so she won’t be disoriented when she wakes. She stirs as I back away, her eyes wild with panic. “It’s okay, Zoe. You’re okay.”

She sits up placing a hand on her chest as she gasps for air.

“Breathe,” I encourage, rubbing my hand up and down between her shoulder blades. “Do you want to tell me about it?”

She chews on her bottom lip and then gives a barely discernible head shake.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes,” she whispers.

“I’ll be down the hall if you need me.” I take a step backward.

“No. Don’t leave me.” Her panic is clear, and I move closer to the edge of the bed. “I don’t want to be alone,” she confesses, her voice wobbling. When her tear-filled eyes begin to overflow, my chest inexplicably tightens.

Sinking down onto the mattress I wrap an arm around her shoulders and her head tucks under my chin. “You’re okay. I’ll stay right here until you fall asleep.”

“No.” Her head snaps up, wide eyes connecting with mine. “Don’t leave me. Please don’t leave me,” she pleads in a heartbreakingly panicked tone while her fingers nervously grip my shirt.

“Shh.” I pull her more fully into my arms and do my best to soothe her. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She climbs into my lap, wrapping herself around me like a child looking for solace. Her hold is tight as if she’s making sure I’m not merely paying lip service and doling out empty promises about staying. “Don’t worry angel, I’ll be here the whole time.”

Pressing a kiss on her temple, I bury my nose in her soft, fragrant hair. She smells sweet like dessert and I quickly remind myself not to take a bite of her - not even one tiny taste. She’s forbidden fruit no matter how I look at it and I won’t do anything to cross that line. I won’t put my job in jeopardy, it’s the most important thing to me. Besides, Zoe’s still in shock and vulnerable, and I don’t want her to think there can ever be more between us than whatever relationship we currently have.

She shifts in my arms, pressing into my semi hard dick. Gritting my teeth, I grimace. We’ve already crossed lines we shouldn’t have. What is it about her that has me making concessions I’ve never allowed before?

Awareness creeps around the edges of my sleep, dotting the blackness with light, but I push it away. I’m so comfortable right now; more than ever before. The female form contoured against the front of my body couldn’t be more perfect. My arm around her waist, draws her back until a round ass presses into my hard cock. I want to be as close to her as I can - an inch of space between us would be too much distance. She fits against me like a puzzle piece and there’s a sense of rightness about this moment.

My eyelids slowly open, pausing at half-mast before raising the rest of the way in a panic when I notice Zoe’s in my arms. Fuck. I’m so screwed. I can’t believe I let this happen and how the hell am I going to get out of here without waking her? I freeze in place, barely breathing as I try to form an exit strategy.

She wiggles her ass back into me and I clench my teeth, biting back a groan. When she does it a second time, my hand clamps on her hip, stilling her motion.

“Knock it off.” I know she’s awake.

Turning over to face me, she stares up with sleepy eyes and tousled hair. It’s all I can do to resist the urge to roll on top of her and start the morning in the best possible way.

She smiles. “I slept better than I have in weeks.”

Grunting, I back away, placing distance between us.

“No, don’t.” Her arm wraps around my waist. “I’m so comfortable and I haven’t felt this safe since my parents…” she trails off.

“Zoe,” I shake my head at a loss of what to say as I stare down into her pleading blue eyes.

“Please Nash. Just for a minute more?”

Fuck. She could talk the devil into reforming his evil ways. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I pull her close. She burrows against me like a needy kitten, burying her face in my neck. Her warm breath teases my skin with every exhale and my morning wood is like the super boner from hell. I’m painfully hard.

Zoe’s lips press against my skin and her tongue licks the base of my neck. A groan slips between my lips and I let her continue even though I know this is wrong. Her mouth lays a trail of kisses up my neck until she rubs her lips back and forth on my stubble covered chin. The sweet gesture is sexy as hell. I fight the urge to pin her down and ravage her from head to toe, instead I lie still and let her continue.

“I’ve been wondering if it was rough or softer than it looks.” Her hand joins in, caressing over my chin and her index finger traces above my mouth before moving to my lips. She outlines their shape, her touch innately sensual. Fuck my resolve. Why am I resisting her?

Rolling to my back, I pull Zoe on top of me. “And?” I prompt, hoarsely as her pussy presses against my cock.

She runs her lips over my jaw, then hovers closely over me. Our mouths are separated by only an inch and her warm breath fans over my face temptingly.

“It’s softer than I imagined.”

Gripping the back of her hair in my fist, I urge her head down until I capture her lips with a hungry growl. Her mouth parts and our greedy tongues meet for the first time. She whimpers into my mouth and rolls her hips, grinding down onto my cock. Our kiss is explosive like bombs going off in a war zone. Both of us take what we want without restraint. She’s passionate and untamed as she derives pleasure from my body. Our lips never part as my hand grips her hip, guiding her rhythm as she rocks her clit against me until she comes. Tremors quake through her and I swallow the gasp she expels. She tears her lips from mine, panting uncontrollably and collapses on my chest.

Reality punches me in the face hard and fast. Oh shit. What the fuck have I done? I roll her off me to her back on the mattress. Moving away, I sit up on the edge of the bed, placing my sock covered feet on the floor. Resting my elbows on the knees of my jeans, I grip my head in both hands, pressing the heels of my palms into my eye sockets. This is a fuck up of epic proportions. How the hell did I let this happen? Not only did I spend the night in her arms, but I encouraged her to dry hump me. And I didn’t check in with the other team members at all. Jumping to my feet, I grab my phone out of my pocket and read the messages I missed, quickly typing one back.

“Nash.”

I take two steps toward the door before my feet halt and I turn to face Zoe. She leans on her elbow, head cradled in her palm and my chest tugs when I meet her eyes. I see so much emotion staring back at me. I lose myself in the war between what I want to say and what I must say. Squeezing my eyes shut for a moment, I berate myself for being weak. Get a grip and do the right thing. When my lids open, I steel my expression and run a hand through my hair.

“I’m sorry for everything that happened. I know better and I never should have sat down on the bed with you in the first place. It was inappropriate behavior on my part and I take full responsibility. If you’re uncomfortable with me now, I can ask for another agent to take my place.”

She sits up, the covers falling around her waist. I force myself to focus on her face.

“What are you talking about? I was upset, and you made me feel better. How is that wrong?”

“I’m an adult and you’re vulnerable from losing your parents. None of this should’ve happened.”

“Nash, get over it. I’m not some young, naive girl so don’t pretend I am. It’s insulting, and I don’t deserve it. If you want to blame yourself for something that naturally happened go nuts, but I don’t regret it. I like you and I hope it happens again. If you can’t admit you enjoyed it too that’s your problem. You didn’t kiss me like someone who’s not interested.” Her expression is open and honest as she bravely exposes her feelings for me.

“It can’t happen again, and it won’t.” My tone is firm as my feet back toward the door. “Think about what I said. If you want a new agent, just let me know.”

She rolls her eyes in answer as I turn around, walking from the room. Once I’m in the hallway, I pause, bracing a hand against the wall. I can’t believe what just happened and the worst part is I didn’t want it to end. I’d be climbing right back in her bed if I could.

Stalking down the hall, I head for the kitchen. I need coffee, stat.

I splash some cold water on my face and comb my wet fingers through my hair, while I wait for the coffeemaker to heat up. Bracing my palms on the edge of the counter I stare out the window over the sink, my eyes carefully roaming the woods. Fortunately, it was a quiet night. If it hadn’t been, both Zoe and I would likely be dead right now.

Small bare feet pad across the floor behind me. “Nash.” Zoe’s arms snake around me. I can feel her taut nipples against my back and I’m instantly hard.

“Zoe,” I growl. “Let go.”

Her arms tighten, hands resting at the top of my jeans. My nostrils flair and my eyes squeeze shut. It would be so easy to take what she’s offering, but she’s so young. She has no idea what she’d be getting herself into. I’m not a teenage boy and I don’t fuck like one either.

“Nash.” Her hands slip under my t-shirt to caress the skin along my waistband. My eyes snap open and I turn, gripping under her arms. Her face registers surprise when I lift her, spin around and set her down in front of me on the edge of the sink. Pressing my cock between her legs, I grind against her. She gasps, and my fingers slide up her back, burying in the thick depths of her dark chocolate strands. Tugging her head back, my lips move to her neck. I place sharp, biting kisses on the column of delicate skin moving up to hover over her shiny pink lips.

“Is this what you want?” I yank on her hair, pulling her head back and drive my cock against her center. “Do you want a hard fuck in the kitchen because that’s all it would be.”

Staring up at me, her blue eyes search mine for a hint of emotion I can’t afford to let her see.

“Do you?” I jerk her hair once more.

“No.” Her answer is so soft I barely hear it.

“There can’t be anything between us, Zoe. It’s never going to happen, and you need to let this schoolgirl - older man fantasy go. Do you hear me?”

“Yep, I hear your bullshit, but the question is do you?”

“Go find something to do.” I ignore her question.

She slaps away my hands as I attempt to help her down from the counter. Slipping down on her own, she lands gracefully on her feet, before racing from the room.

I collapse against the counter with a shaky sigh. Pushing her away required a lot more will than I imagined it would. Once my lips tasted her skin and my cock settled between her legs, I didn’t want to be anywhere else. And I certainly didn’t want to stop until I’d sampled every delectable inch of her before burying myself deep inside her.

I slam my palm down on the counter. “Fuck.”

These trials can’t happen fast enough. Hopefully, the dates will be set soon, and Zoe can move on to college and I can begin working on my next assignment.