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I clung to him, taking short breaths as we both stared into each other’s eyes. There was a sense we’d crossed the line, but it was all pretend.

Even though I could see lust in his eyes, he quickly shut it down, lifting his head so our lips couldn’t possibly find their way back to each other.

His eyes bounced back and forth across mine as his expression hardened.

I did the same, noticing how his muscles were strained against the tight confines of the material. Without thinking, I dragged my tongue across my bottom lip, savoring the taste of him.

The big, brooding soldier had just awakened a part of me I’d tossed aside, searing my skin while scorching the earth under my feet.

He took a step away, his deep breath more labored this time. I wanted so much for him to do it again, but he rubbed his thumb across my cheek as if it was for the last time and pulled away.

Without saying a word, he lifted his head and glanced out the window.

“We should go.”

As with all beautiful things, this would come crashing to an end.

The single touch was meant as a deterrent, a ploy.

Yet I felt something even more incredible than the kiss.

Neither of us was pretending.

CHAPTER 12

Kage

A mistake.

One that couldn’t happen again.

I pulled away, scanning the room as I’d done several times. The men I’d seen out the window had issued an instant silent alarm in the forefront of my mind. The fuckers were combing the streets. Dressed like third world soldiers, there was no mistaking their intentions. When one had walked into the restaurant, I’d known instinctively who he was searching for. I’d reacted without thinking.

The woman had been far too much of a temptation.

She still was.

Now regret captivated my mind. I’d done worse than kiss a woman in my methods of protection and subterfuge, but this was the single time it had felt personal.

“Wait,” she said, her light touch on my arm increasing the heat between us.

“We need to go.”

“Were we compromised?”

“Potentially.”

Juliette exhaled but said nothing else. I motioned for the waiter, already yanking my wallet into my hand. I could only hope my old Navy buddy came through. If anyone could, Stone Bellows would easily manage the danger and secrecy. A former teammate, both his training and creative abilities had added strength to our unit.

The man truly lived on the edge, no risk too dangerous.

With the bill paid, I grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the rear exit. Remaining in the tropical jungle surrounding the touristy town was our only safe method of escape. However, how long would it be before what appeared to be active militia came knocking on our door? What stuck in my craw was the fact the three men I’d seen had been in indistinguishable uniforms. That led me to believe her kidnapping had less to do with the slave trade industry and more to do with a vendetta of some kind.

Or a payment.

The men had been heavily armed just like the two men I’d killed at the estate, their weapons definitely military grade. Either Gray didn’t know the details behind her kidnapping, or he wasn’t in a position to provide me with every scrap of information.

Was it possible the case was classified?