Page 43

“Y eah, I’ll be sure to call when I get in. We’re flying out tomorrow morning.” The gentle cadence of Nate’s voice floated through the hotel room. Maddie stretched her arms over her head and glanced at the clock. Six a.m. Of course Nate would be working at the crack of dawn.

A squeak split the air as Nate turned in the leather chair at the small office desk near the window.

His eyes landed on her and he smiled. Two cups of coffee sat on the desk beside him and she stretched her hand out and wriggled her fingers.

The events of last night came tumbling back at warp speed, and she needed caffeine to bring her senses in sync.

“Call me if anything else comes to mind.” He clicked off and got to his feet.

“Well, what happened?” Maddie pushed herself up into a seated position and reached for the steaming mug he passed her.

The crisp white duvet slid to pool at her waist and she didn’t bother hoisting it back up.

After Nate’s exploration of her body last night there was nothing left to conceal from him.

“Carlos and Hector are being escorted back to the US today. Almost twenty kilos of cocaine were recovered from the club by the FBI last night. Not to mention the three million in cash in duffel bags in the trunk of Carlos’s rental car.”

Maddie’s jaw went slack and she slowly lifted the mug and sipped. Dear god. Had they not stopped him, all of that cocaine would have flooded the streets of Miami.

“What about Diego and Hector?”

Nate snorted. “Hector was tight lipped and for that he won’t be granted any leniency. Diego sang like a canary, leaving no loophole for Carlos.

Even the crew on the cruise ship that had been working under Carlos to assist bringing the drugs into the US talked to save their own asses.”

“It doesn’t surprise me that Hector wouldn’t talk. Nothing short of torture would make him turn his back on Carlos. Besides, Carlos would have him skinned if he did. What about the murders?”

“Our boys in Miami raided his club and residence. The security camera from the garage where they interrogated Fabian has been confiscated. Tony is the one who did the dirty work, but Carlos clearly ordered it. There’s more footage as well from other interrogations, but that will take some time for the team to dig through. ”

“What will his sentence be?”

Nate guffawed. “Drug trafficking, possession of drugs, first degree murder, kidnapping… he’ll be facing twenty years to life.”

She nodded slowly. “That’s what I figured.” He deserved all that he would get… and more. She curled her fingers around the warmth of the cup and lowered her gaze to the butterscotch colored brew.

“I can’t wait to tell Zoe. It won’t bring Leila back, but at least her death has been avenged and her family will have closure.”

Nate’s hand cupped her knee and he slid his thumb back and forth. “You avenged her death. Hell, you put one of the biggest drug lords of the decade behind bars. Lieutenant Davis sounded like he was jumping up and down when I talked to him—and I don’t think that’s something he does often.”

The image brought a smile to her face and she chuckled.

Nate’s face turned somber. “You’re going to make one hell of an agent.

” His words settled around her heart, lifting it several notches.

He was right, not only had she helped to get justice for Leila, but she had built an impenetrable wall of expertise that even Ethan wouldn’t be able to muscle his way through.

“The case will sound good in an interview.” Her shoulder lifted and dropped. “Plus, I had good help.”

He laughed, took the coffee from her hand and set it on the nightstand beside his. “Do you know how much I love you?”

She tapped her finger to her cheek. “Well, the way you were screaming my name last night…”

A deep laugh rumbled from him. He hooked his arm through her knees and her back flopped onto the mattress. “There’s that,” he said. A smile reached his eyes, making the hazel orbs dance mischievously at her.

His mouth came down on hers, hot and demanding.

She slipped her hands through the strands of his hair and pulled him down on top of her.

All thoughts of Carlos left her mind as her body pulsed with need.

He broke contact; her tongue tingled in protest. Heat radiated from his stare as he slowly made his way down, shoving the tangled sheets from her body and exposing her.

Maddie curled her fists into the sheets at her sides.

Her breath came out in hot, fast pants. Nate settled his warm hands to the insides of her thighs, and his thumbs parted her.

Her toes curled as he pressed kisses to the inside of her thigh, driving her mad.

She needed his mouth on her now. She opened her mouth to protest against his gentle kisses, when his tongue licked into her again.

The back of her head burrowed deep into the pillow and wetness rushed to the demanding flesh. A tight, delicious coil of pleasure curled in her loins; she teetered at the edge of insanity. A cry tore from her throat as he licked over her clit, surrounding her with his heat.

“Oh, god,” she cried. Her orgasm rushed through her like a dam breaking, her body convulsing into harsh spasms. Nate flicked his tongue leisurely over her folds as she came crashing back down to earth.

Nate’s shoulders knocked against the back of her thighs, shaking her body. Her eyes narrowed, but he crawled over her and settled himself on top of her. His hazel eyes sparked, and with the soft glow of morning light through the window, gold flecks shone in them.

“You’re so fucking amazing.” He rested his palms on her cheeks, his laughter diminishing. Every inch of his rock-hard body covered hers and the hard press of his dick against her belly made her shift her knees, wanting him closer.

Her cheeks warmed. “No, I’m not. But I find it amazing that you’ve had me up twice during the night, and now you’re doing insanely good things to my body again.” The memory of waking to him entering her from behind seared through her.

After leaving the club, they’d found a nice hotel on the ocean, ordered food, showered, made love, and crashed.

They still had to book their flights out of San Juan, but at the moment she didn’t want to return to normal life.

Nate lowered his mouth and sucked her bottom lip between his teeth, making desire spiral through her once again.

Her back arched against him and her fingertips curled into his shoulders.

The nightstand beside Nate vibrated.

She frowned and Nate pulled away. “Shit. I have to get that,” he said.

She sighed as he rolled off her and lifted his phone. He let out a curse and his thumbs tapped against the screen. She had to tell him now. Last night, they’d both been too shaken and exhausted to talk about everything. But now, she needed to get it off her chest.

“Nate, I have to talk to you.”

He set the device back on the nightstand and came back to her. He fit easily into her arms… he fit everywhere. He nuzzled her neck and the coarse bristles on his jaw tickled her throat. She giggled and squirmed. “What about, babe?” he growled.

She squeezed his shoulder, stilling him. “It’s important.”

His brow creased and he shifted off her, bracing his head on his fist, his elbow bent on the pillow next to hers.

He stared down at her and her heart stalled.

She hated that he didn’t know what had happened with Carlos the other night.

That he’d had to suffer through listening to them and have his imagination run wild.

“I didn’t get to finish telling you yesterday, but I never slept with Carlos.”

His knuckles dragged across her cheek and he smiled. “I never thought you did.”

“You listened to the whole thing?”

“Dylan called me down as soon as he realized what you guys were going to do.” His eyebrow rose skeptically.

Heat crept up her cheeks. “Dylan heard?”

He shrugged, his lips dipped nonchalantly. “Not really. I got there and took over once you got started. I didn’t listen long. But it sure sounded like things were getting carried away.”

She pushed the embarrassment from her mind and turned to face him. “It wasn’t, I promise. I slipped him the roofies and the rest was just kissing. He got pretty sloppy and tried to grope me, but with the drinks he’d already had, he passed out pretty quick.”

Nate snorted.

Maddie laughed, relief washed over her. “It was gross, but better than any other alternative. Still, I hope I can forget that night.”

A dark shadow crossed his face. He coasted his fingertips down her arm, stopping at her wrist where he lifted her hand, and brought her palm to his shaft.

“I can help with that,” he ground out. She smiled and welcomed him into her hold, squeezing tightly and dragging on him until his eyes rolled back.

“Jesus,” he breathed softly. He fit himself over top of her, hooked his arm in the crook of her knee, and pressed into her, filling her in one stroke.

Her breath caught and her legs fell open, begging for more.

He closed the distance between their mouths, his wet, slick tongue moved past her teeth.

He rocked against her, spreading her heat.

He pulled away from her lips and buried his face in her neck, his tongue flicking over the sensitive flesh, mimicking his act only moments before.

She needed more. “Harder,” she gasped. A low rumble sounded in his throat as he gave her three long strokes, bringing her higher and higher.

He drove deep, pressing against her clitoris.

Her cries were rough and ragged as she clung to him, hanging on for dear life as her body pulsed violently.

“Maddie,” he rasped in her ear. He pumped harder into her and his own release came, shaking them both.

Her muscles turned lax and her head throbbed deliciously as blood flow returned. She stroked her hand over his back and gave a soft chuckle. “This was the best morning I’ve had in a long time.”