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“Sorry, brother, not this time. We’re a team, and we’ll go in shifts. Your system’s solid. I’d just feel better if there were eyes on the property all night. For all we know, Striker’s next escalation will involve C4.”

“No one’s getting that close without me knowing about it. Period.” Zain clenched his jaw as he stood, closing his eyes for a few moments before blowing out a rough breath. “Midnight, Beckett. Not a minute longer.”

Kash sighed as he watched Zain march out, holding his elbow despite wearing a sling.

“I’d hoped civilian life would smooth some of his hard edges, but he’s as intense as ever.

And before you volunteer to stay up all night or get your panties in a twist, I’ll be keeping watch with him — that whole team thing.

I know you two barely got any sleep last night, and it’s been full-on ever since that chat with Keaton and Dawson.

And I doubt tomorrow will be any easier.

We still have a stash of drugs to find.”

Foster eased back in his chair. “Looks like Zain’s not the only stubborn intense soul here.”

Kash laughed. “Yeah, you’re a real hardass, too. I’ll go close my eyes for a bit, but I’ll see you at midnight.” Kash whistled to Nyx, and the dog trotted off, totally focused on Kash.

Mac shuffled in beside Foster, laughing when he snagged her around the waist and pulled her into his lap. “Is it odd that I’m a bit jealous of the way Nyx looks at Kash?”

“You’re not the only one.” He dropped a kiss on her neck. “If you’re tired, you can head up. I can handle the shift alone.”

“And give you something to gloat over, later? I’m tired, not stupid. Besides, if I wanted to sleep alone, I would have gone back to my rental.”

“Even if we just sleep?”

She brushed her lips over his. “Especially if we just sleep, which is increasingly possible with each passing hour. And at the risk of you walking around, pounding on your chest like some kind of caveman, last night was the first time I actually got any quality sleep. Even if it only lasted a few hours.”

“Sounds like another challenge.”

“That comes after we sleep.” She stood, offering him her hand. “Come on. Let’s get comfy because I’m sure we’ll be traipsing around the perimeter far too soon.”

“At least it’s not raining, yet.”

“And now, you’ve jinxed it.”

Foster tugged her close as they made their way into the living room.

Mackenzie had insisted on clearing the house and grounds before they settled on the couch.

Her head resting on his shoulder as they watched some sappy old movie.

Time ticked past, Mac dozing a bit before they made another round of the property.

Zain and Kash were waiting in the kitchen when they finally trudged through the back door.

Zain looked at them over the rim of his coffee mug. “Well?”

Foster hung their jackets on a hook. “Nothing so far but the promise of another impressive storm.”

“Storms I can handle. Having some ex-Green Beret asshole trying to kill my family? That’s another story.”

“All the more reason to find those damn drugs tomorrow.” Foster placed his hand on Mac’s back and studied his teammates. “You two sure you’re okay? We could all hang out.”

Zain scoffed. “Please, there’s already a third wheel. You two would just make it awkward.”

Kash gave Zain a shove. “Nyx is not a third wheel.”

“I was talking about you, sunshine.”

Kash rolled his eyes. “Just wait until we’re out scouting the area. Nyx might accidentally tackle you.”

“She likes me too much.” Zain gave the dog a scratch then motioned toward the stairs. “Go, before we have to carry your sorry asses up there.”

“You’d better be storming my door if Striker so much as looks at the property line.”

“Still bossing us around.” Zain pointed at the door, this time. “Go.”

Foster headed for the door, glancing back at Zain one more time before taking the stairs then turning down the hallway.

He closed his bedroom door behind him and Mac, leaning against it as she made her way over to the bed, practically collapsing on top as she flopped back on the mattress.

He smiled, studying her until she must have felt him staring and turned to look at him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

Foster pushed off the door and ambled over. “Like what?”

“Like you’ve never seen me before.”

“More like I was admiring how damn beautiful you are.”

She chuckled. “If you like tousled hair and bloodshot eyes.”

“Funny. All I see are brilliant baby blues and thick hair I want to gather in my hands.”

That got him a smile. “And suddenly, I’m not so tired.”

“Oh, no. Sleep, first. Then, we’ll see.”

“I’ll sleep better if you make love to me.” She sat up and fisted the front of his jeans, lowering the zipper then tugging them and his briefs down. She inhaled then ran her tongue along the seam of her lips as she gently fisted his length. “Damn.”

Foster gathered her hair in his hand, just like he’d been envisioning, prepared to ease her back, when she leaned forward and took him in her mouth. No teasing or preamble. Just all that wet, hot pressure engulfing him as she took him to the back of her throat before slowly easing up.

“Christ.” He made a mental note not to yank on her hair, failing miserably a moment later when she repeated her assault, pausing with him lodged deep, this time.

Heat burned beneath his skin, threatening to push him over in record time when she hummed, the low vibration completely wrecking him.

Foster wasn’t sure if he started moving his hips by chance or by design, only that he was thrusting into her mouth a minute later. Reveling in the way she moaned around his length, sounding more than pleased with herself.

He closed his eyes, trying to stave off the inevitable release, aware it hadn’t been anywhere close to long enough.

That a lifetime might not be long enough where she was concerned.

Mackenzie didn’t seem to be strung tight.

Wasn’t obviously poised on the edge like him, clawing at anything that would give him a hint of control, until she faltered.

Prying his eyelids open took a few attempts, but he finally managed to stare down at her. And damn, she seemed as wrecked as he felt. Her chest heaving nearly as much as his as she worked his length, looking as if she was ready to explode.

His chest tightened, a deep warmth spreading up through his core. He stopped thrusting then tugged on her hair, waiting until she finally met his gaze. “Mackenzie.”

That’s all he managed around the lump in his throat — the thickness making it hard to form the right words. Three in particular he feared would change everything.

She furrowed her brow, then eased free, pushing to her feet a moment later.

Foster kept his fingers buried in her hair as he tilted her head and ravaged her mouth, drinking in every hushed rasp that seemed to scratch its way free.

She was gasping for air when he finally pulled back, using the brief pause to tear off their clothes before wrapping his arm around her waist and shuffling her onto the bed.

Her thick brown hair fanned out across the sheets as he settled above her, bridging his weight on his elbows. He stared down at her, memorizing the fine curve of her jaw and how her skin blushed pink. She was beyond stunning.

Mac palmed his cheek, smiling up at him. “Foster.”

God, the way she said his name.

He nuzzled her hand. “It’s not that I wasn’t thoroughly invested in you sucking me off, I just needed…”

More? Her?

Her smile widened as she slid her hand behind his neck and dragged him down to her. “Then, what are you waiting for? Love me.”

Had she read his mind? Knew he was teetering on the edge of that cliff, ready to throw himself off? Did she feel remotely the same?

He held her gaze as he slowly sank inside her.

She inhaled, her breath stalling as her head tilted back.

Her eyes rolled slightly, a breathy moan escaping her full lips as the tendons in her neck corded.

She dug her fingertips into his back and side when he finally bottomed out, holding himself fully seated.

Mac took a few panting breaths, clenching her jaw before meeting his gaze, again. “Foster, please…”

Her voice trailed off as he pulled back then slid home. A bit harder. Faster. Only pausing for a few moments before thrusting, again — loving the way she cried out his name.

She urged him closer, eating at his mouth as he kept his pace slow and easy. Building the heat between them until his muscles started cramping.

Mac panted against his ear, every ragged breath fraying the one thread of control he had left. “God, Foster. I need…”

She cried out as he slammed home, her voice shattering the last of his willpower.

He let loose, pounding into her as the headboard knocked against the wall.

Mackenzie scratched at his back, her heels giving each stroke an added boost until everything collided, and he cracked, emptying into her in a series of stabbing thrusts.

Heat tore through his veins, sending him into a numbing haze until his strength waned, and he collapsed on top of her. The room faded, nothing but their rough breath sounding above the pounding in his chest. What was likely a heart attack in the making.

It wasn’t until all that heat started to cool that he was able to open his eyes — take stock.

Mackenzie’s face was scrunched up, her chest still heaving as she drew in a shaky breath then pushed it out.

Tears dotted her cheek, but it was the dreamy smile curving her lips that made his heart skip a beat.

Love.

That’s what it looked like. Staring up at him when she finally opened her eyes. And he couldn’t stop from dipping in and kissing her mouth. Drinking in the softest of sighs.

He shifted his weight to one elbow, brushing his thumb along her skin. “You okay?”

She laughed. “That depends. Are we dead? Because I can’t imagine anything being better than this.”

“Pretty sure we’re both still breathing.”

“Then, that should be illegal because… damn.”

“Think you can sleep now?”

Another laugh, the easy sound bubbling up all those emotions until he had to physically stop himself from shouting out those three words he’d been thinking about earlier. “I hope Kash and Zain don’t need us because I’m not sure I can move.”

“So, no shower?”

“Only if you’re carrying me and doing all the work.”

“Challenge accepted.”

Mac wrapped her arms around his neck after he’d rolled off and gathered her in his arms. “You’re going to hold me all night, right?”

“All night.”

She smiled, somehow staying conscious until he had them back in the bed, her head tucked against his shoulder.

He pulled her closer, smiling at how she burrowed against him. “Sleep. I’ve got you.”

She dropped a kiss on his chest. “Remember. All night.”

He nodded, chuckling when she drifted off a moment later. As if someone had flipped a switch. Foster glanced at the door, hoping Kash and Zain were okay. Not that he questioned their skill, but Jack Voss wasn’t their typical opponent. And Foster had a bad feeling that the worst was yet to come.