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I stepped forward so I was close enough to touch her. When she didn’t back away, I cupped her cheek. “I have business in Shere. When you’re ready to leave, I’ll return and drive you.”
She smiled. “I’m too tired to argue with you, Levi. We’ll speak tomorrow if that’s all right with you.”
“Of course.” I kissed her forehead, each cheek, then her lips before putting my hands on her forearms. “If there’s anything at all you need, please let it be me you call upon.”
“My bag.” She motioned to my vehicle.
“Right. I’ll carry it inside for you.”
She smiled. “It doesn’t weigh much. I can manage.”
Not wanting to run into Saint and further exacerbate things between us, I relented.
“Thanks ever so much,” Eliza said, waving before she turned to go inside.
“Wait!” I shouted, rushing forward. “Something to remember me by.” I kissed her the same way I had in the car on our way here. It was rough, deep, and demanding. “Now, kiss me,” I said, tearing my lips from hers.
“What do you mean? I did.”
I shook my head. “I showed you how I like it. Now, you show me.”
Her eyes flamed as she grasped my neck to pull me closer. Her lips and tongue were tentative at first. Then she nipped my bottom lip. When I opened to her, her mouth was soft and sensual, pressing deeper but not with the same unabandoned urgency as mine.
When, like tonight, I gave her a turn at being in charge when we made love, I had no doubt this would be the way she’d seduce me. I fucking loved it.
The time it took me to get even halfway from Royal Sussex General Hospital to the command center in Shere was painful. My cock throbbed with desire for Eliza, and my arms ached to hold her, touch her. Even my heart hurt, not knowing when I’d see her again.
“Typhon,” Kima answered my call.
“Hello, Delfino. How are you?” I teased.
“Annoyed.”
“That is apparent. By whom?”
“Do you need to ask?”
I wasn’t sure what she had against Oleander, but her animosity for the woman was ever present. It wasn’t that they did, or would ever, compete for a job. Kima had no interest in joining Unit 23, and if she did, I would’ve dissuaded her.
“Tell me you’re not jealous of her and Poseidon.”
“You can’t be serious.”
“You are his second-in-command.”
She muttered something in Maltese.
“What was that?” I asked.
“By default. There was no one else from MSI he could trust.”
She was right. Malta Secret Intelligence was rife with corruption, something my brother and I had discussed in our most recent conversation.
“Tell me what has you annoyed.”
“It isn’t just her, although she is a bitch of epic proportions. I feel useless.”
Kima was a certified trauma counselor, which had been a tremendous asset after the women who were held captive at Mithras’ villa were rescued. I could understand why she felt antsy. I had to limit the time I spent in Shere, or I’d go mad with boredom.