Page 16

C aught in her swirling thoughts and emotions, Quinn felt all twisted up inside as she watched Braxton pad back over to the bed. His perfect body, honed from years of training, never ceased to amaze her. She bit her lip when he lifted a washcloth and began to gently clean away the stickiness between her thighs.

“I’m not on birth control,” she murmured. His silver eyes snapped up to meet hers. “I know we rarely used protection before…and neither of us has been with anyone else...”

Her voice trailed off when he didn’t respond, and she lifted her hand and began chewing on her nail. Brax reached over and tugged on her wrist.

“You’re going to gnaw your hand off one of these days if you keep doing that,” he told her, sliding back into bed.

“I can’t help it.”

Laying down on his side, facing her, he reached over and cupped her face. “If you got pregnant, I would never abandon you and our baby, Quinn. Especially not after what happened with your dad.”

She nodded, grateful for his words. Braxton was a noble, responsible, stand-up kind of man to his core, but she’d never want him to feel trapped or bound by an unwanted family. Her dad left the moment he’d discovered her mom was pregnant and she’d never known him. Not that she cared overly much because she’d grown up surrounded by the strongest and most supportive group of women. The household consisted of her grandma, mom, aunt and several female cousins. They ranged from widow to abandoned lover to jilted bride to dumped fiancée. It wasn’t too surprising that men had never been held in very high esteem.

“How are all the ladies doing, anyway?” he asked, stroking a finger along her cheek. “I miss the ol’ gals.”

Thinking about the women in her family brought an instant smile to her face, but it slid away fast.

“What’s wrong?”

“Since I went off-grid, I haven’t been able to see them. I send burners and we talk as much as possible, but it isn’t the same.”

“You’re scared they’ll become targets?” he guessed.

“I was set up, Brax. I know you don’t believe me, but—”

“I believe you.”

All the air seemed to rush out of her lungs. Those three words meant everything to her. “You really do?”

“I was confused and hurt at first, but after my interrogation, I came home, ready to help you. And you were gone. I understand why you ran, but it still hurts. I could’ve helped you.”

Tears filled her eyes and she did her best to blink them away. Instead, the little bastards ended up trailing down her cheeks.

Brax brushed each one away with the pad of his thumb. “I’ve never seen you cry,” he said softly.

“Because I never cry,” she insisted stubbornly, swiping at her face. “I don’t know what’s going on. Maybe I have something in my eye.”

“That must be it.” He leaned in and pressed a kiss to her lips. “I’ll help you clear your name.”

She pulled back, eyes widening. “You will?”

“We’ll get Zane and company to do some digging. Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you can see your family again.”

“Thank you. I appreciate that more than you know.” Settling back down on the pillow, she felt a weight lift off her heart. “How’s your dad? I always adored him, you know. I never dated a silver fox, but if he’d have come along first…” She waggled her brows teasingly.

Brax let out a soft sigh. “He passed away right before I joined Ex Nihilo.”

“Oh, Brax, I’m so sorry.” She grabbed his hand, squeezing it. “He was always so proud of you. And the way he accepted me so easily—”

Dammit. More tears threatened.

“He was one in a million,” she finished.

“Yeah, he really was. He loved you like a daughter and he never believed anything the CIA and my commanding officers told me about you being a traitor. He said they were full of bullshit and you were a good girl who loved her country and…who loved me.”

For a moment, neither one of them spoke. He’d used the past tense. But was it truly over between them? Could they still possibly have a future together? Anxiety over their past screw-ups made her frown and start chewing on her thumbnail again. She couldn’t figure out what was going on in that head of his and it was making her nuts. Making her question everything.

He said he believed her, but was that enough?

He gently pulled her hand away. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but you just enjoyed multiple orgasms, right?”

She nodded.

“And I promised to help clear your name.”

Another nod.

“So why are you so tense?” He dragged his hand downward, curving his large palm over her breast and lightly squeezing. “Need me to make you come again?”

His words lit a fire inside her, instantly heating the furnace within her pussy. “I’m not going to say no to that.”

She shifted beneath his touch, pushing into his callused hand as he worked her nipple into a tight peak. Yes, they should talk more, but she still had too much energy and desire thrumming through her body. And an irrational fear was taking hold and making her think they only had this one fleeting night together.

Because face it, Q, she thought. Why would he want to get back together with you? You’re a hothead, impetuous, ruthless—

“Get out of your head,” he ordered in his Delta Force commander voice. The one that brooked no argument and let her know he was currently in charge. “On your stomach. Now.”

Her belly quivered with excitement at the sternly-spoken order. The shameless part of her loved when he told her what to do in the bedroom. Whenever he took control of her body, she gave it up completely and willingly because she trusted him like no one else. And sometimes, letting go of the constant control she continually maintained felt so good. She knew they were very similar in that regard and always used to take turns bossing each other around between the sheets.

Rolling onto her stomach, she waited to see what he would do next. Every nerve was on edge and the mattress tilted as he moved onto his knees. He trailed a finger down her spine, dipping it along the seam of her ass, then curved a palm over her cheek. His hand squeezed and molded her flesh before he gave it a resounding crack.

Startled, she jumped, then felt her hips jerked up and back. Wiggling her ass against his hard cock, she dropped her cheek against the bedspread and gave herself over to him.

Expecting him to enter her hard and fast, she jolted when his open mouth settled over her wet pussy instead. “Oh, God,” she hummed.

His ruthless tongue licked and speared inside her while his fingers played with her swollen clit. Already so sensitive, she felt her body come alive fast. It’s as though she were gasoline and he was a spark. For a futile moment, she tried to fight the combustion. But it was inevitable. He took her right to the edge of her orgasm then abruptly stopped.

“Braxxx,” she gritted out between clenched teeth. “Don’t you dare stop.”

She gasped when he hiked her ass up and notched the thick head of his cock at her opening. “That’s always been the problem, Quinn,” he rasped. “With you, I could never stop.”

He thrust hard, filling her, and she cried out. God, he felt even bigger when he had her in this position and she did her best to take him. The stretch stung as he reminded her what a rough tumble with him felt like.

So damn good.

“Couldn’t stop thinking about you…” Another hard thrust. “Couldn’t stop worrying about you…”

His cock retreated then slammed into her again. No mercy, no holding back.

“Couldn’t stop caring about you.” His gritty voice caught and she curled her fingers into the bedspread as he tangled his fingers in her hair. He pulled hard, lifting her head, and forcing it up. Grabbing onto her shoulder with his opposite hand, he managed to sink deeper, completely possessing her.

Then he let loose, and all she could do was hold up as best as she could under the force of his large body. But she always gave back as good as she got and she met each of his powerful thrusts, slamming back against him.

Grunts, moans and the slapping of their bodies together filled the air. The bed lurched and Quinn fell forward with a splutter, unable to keep up with him or stop the earth-shaking orgasm that swept over her. The moment after she came, he erupted inside her.

“ Fuuuck ,” he growled, voice harsh. His fingers dug into her sides as his hips continued to pump until he’d spilled every last drop.

A shaky sigh blew past her lips as he pulled out and they both collapsed.

“Goddamn,” he rasped in a low, muffled voice.

Turning her head, she saw his face was buried in the comforter and she couldn’t help but chuckle.

He shifted his head so he could see her. “What’s so funny?” he asked.

“Us. Even though everything has changed, it’s almost still the same.”

“Yeah.” He pushed himself up, reached for the washcloth and gently cleaned her. Then he tossed it and pulled her up into his arms. Laying her head against his firm chest, she listened to his breathing even out and the steady thump of his heart as he lightly caressed his fingers up and down her back.

Once she felt more in control—of her body and emotions—she tilted her head back, looking up at him.

“I know I asked this earlier, but I need an answer.” She swallowed hard then pointedly asked, “So what now?”

“I don’t know.”

A part of her heart crumbled at his answer. But she knew he’d never lie or pretend with her. What the hell had she been expecting, anyway? That he’d ask her to be his girlfriend? Or maybe his wife again?

So stupid , her inner voice taunted.

“Hey,” he said softly, his fingers leaving her back and playing with her hair. “That’s a question we both need to answer. It’s not just what I want.”

“I know.” He was right, but she didn’t feel hopeful. She felt…lost. And so damn confused. One minute he was her husband, the next her target and now…

What was he now?

He is everything , she realized.

◆◆◆

Brax stopped twirling her fiery hair around his finger and looked down into Quinn’s sage green eyes. They swam with vulnerability and it caught him off guard.

“Can I ask you something?” he murmured.

“Sure.”

“Why didn’t you go back to your maiden name?” He’d wondered that the moment he discovered she was the final name on The Agency’s roster.

She let out a soft breath, seemed to consider her words, then met his inquisitive stare.

“Because you were always a part of me. I—” Her voice choked. “I loved you since the day we met and nothing was going to change that. It didn’t matter what my last name was, Brax.”

The last of his walls and resistance fell.

“Quinn…” He pressed a kiss to her hair, burrowing his face in its silkiness. “I think we have a lot of lost time to make up for, don’t you?”

“We’re divorced,” she reminded him softly. “Are you saying—”

“I’m saying I never got over you, either, and I think we owe it to each other to try again. What do you say, my feisty Cherry Bomb?”

Hope, and maybe something else, flared in her eyes. “Are you telling me you believe in second chances, Mr. Graves?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying.”

She smiled. “Me, too.”

He caught her mouth in a long, slow kiss and it felt like they were exchanging an unspoken promise. After a long time, they broke apart.

“Do you still have your ring?” he asked quietly.

“Yes. Do you?”

“Yeah.” He nodded to the nightstand. “It’s in there.”

Quinn pushed off him and reached over to pull the drawer open. She fished around inside and finally found his wedding band, sliding it down her slim index finger and returning to his embrace. Lifting her hand, they both stared at it.

Memories of their time together consumed him. And, for the first time in five long years, it didn’t hurt. He tightened his embrace and she snuggled under his arm. Hope surged inside of him and his heart felt full.

Finally, he had Quinn back in his arms, right where she belonged. And he sure as hell wasn’t going to lose her again.