Page 45 of Baby Take Me Home

“Do I have to be quiet?”

“No, I want you to be loud.” The sound wouldn’t carry through the fire door, another detail I would withhold to fuel her fantasy. “I want you to scream like you did Sunday morning.”

She arched her hips and I rubbed my thumb over her clit. “When you made me come three times in less than half an hour.”

“I think you’re forgetting about the shower. It was five.”

“I thought you didn’t count.”

I grinned as I stroked her, spreading her wetness over her slit. “I said a gentleman wouldn’t count. I did. It was five.”

“I want you inside me right now.” She reached for my belt.

I stayed her hand and murmured against her lips. “The only protection I have is sunscreen.”.

“But I don’t want to stop.”

“We’re not going to.” I plunged my fingers deep into her and picked up the pace of finger fucking her. “I’m going to lick your sweet, wet pussy until you can’t think straight, until you scream my name, and then you forget it and then you forget yours, too.”

“Yes,” she groaned. She undid my belt buckle and slid her hand into my pants, gripping my shaft. “But I want this, too. I want you to fuck me and to screammyname.” She stroked up and down and my eyes crossed. I panted to catch my breath.

“You’re going to have me,” I promised. “After I make you come so hard your legs can’t hold you up, you’re going to get on your knees so I can fuck your mouth.”

I was more turned on than I’d ever been in my life, but I wouldn’t lose control and risk unplanned consequences. If Ashlee needed to believe she was in danger of being caughtin flagrantedilectot to take back some control, I was there for it. I would enjoy going along for one hell of a ride, but I would keep her safe while doing it.

CHAPTER 18

TJ

Ashleeand I arrived back at HEAT headquarters at nine that evening. After our enthusiastic interlude in the art gallery storage room, and a lively dinner with Cassandra and Tony and their friends that included several bottles of wine, we were sated and exhausted. I wanted nothing more than to grab a shower and curl up in bed, preferably both with Ashlee.

But given the heavy mood hanging over HQ like a funeral shroud, I knew the minute we entered the building that our date was well and truly over. X was in the conference room beside my office, behind closed doors with Samantha and Penn.

“If X kills me, at least I got to have a real date with you first,” I whispered to Ashlee. When she widened her eyes, I shook my head. “Kidding. She won’t literally kill me. I don’t think. But I’m sure there will be hell to pay.”

Technically, I hadn’t done anything wrong. I’d been scheduled to be off Tuesday afternoon and evening to attend Tony’s showing and dinner, I’d concluded the field operation with Ashlee safely, and my well-trained team was perfectly capable of handling the post-mission debriefs on their own.

But X wasn’t likely to give a damn about technicalities. I’d disappeared for hours on end with a civilian who was under our protection, and although I’d had the situation under control every minute, if I were in X’s shoes, I would fire my sorry ass.

Ashlee was watching the group in the conference room through the glass wall. Her eyes drifted down to the blueprints on the table. The Kovacs’ house plans, if I had to guess.

“I assume that meeting isn’t for civilians,” she said.

“Trust me,” I said, “you don’t want to be anywhere near this or me when X gets me in her sights. You’ll get briefed on the mission tomorrow, along with the rest of the team.” I desperately wanted to kiss her, but if there was anything left of my career, doing so would burn it down. I squeezed Ashlee’s hand. “Sounds like the rest of the team is in the lounge. I’ll join you there shortly.”

By the time she reached the lounge door, Kessler was there to welcome her into the gathering. Jensen met them in the doorway and handed Ashlee a bright orange drink. She glanced at me and raised her eyebrows in concern, then smiled and followed Kessler into the lounge. I was shocked at how natural it was to have her here, and how comforted I was knowing my team would protect her with their lives. At least, I hoped they were still my team.

I took a deep breath and prepared to find out. Jensen left the party behind and joined me. Together, we entered the conference room. Everyone greeted me except X, who glanced at me and looked back down at the blueprints.

“Jensen,” X said, “you’re ready to brief us?”

So this was how X wanted to play things. All business, at least for now, in front of the team. I was so, so good with that.

“Yes ma’am,” Jensen instantly took her cue. He bent over the map and circled a large room with his finger. “I’ve been able to isolate energy output based on heat signatures. This room appears to have not only a massive amount of comms and data flowing in and out of it, the amount of energy being consumed here suggests serious security. Fort Knox-level security. Which I’m only saying metaphorically because we all know Fort Knox could use some better systems.”

I said, “If we’re going to find the data we need to prove Kovac is with Carbonados and to find the mole in our own government, it should be there. What’s our plan to overcome the security system?”

“Systems, plural,” Jensen corrected. “Power outage is our best bet.”