Page 76 of Tangled Like Us

I nod. “Just practice.”

“Practicing is very professional of us.” Her palm warms my chest, and we kiss deeper.

Again, and again.

Speeding up the tempo each time she arches her waist into me. She’s practically dry-humping me—don’t go there.

Yeah, I’m so far over there at the moment.

We pull back for a half second. Catching breath.

“If I’m too heavy, you can set me down,” she says conversationally. “I don’t mind.”

My chest tightens, and I narrow a stern look on Jane. “I could bench press you all night.”Did I make her feel…?Concern draws my brows together. I clasp her face, my large hand enveloping her flushed cheek. “You’re meant to be in my arms, Jane.”

She pulses against me and sets her laced fingers along the back of my neck. “I…um.” She shakes out her scrambled thoughts. “We’ll be experts in the art of fake-dating in no time. Don’t you think?”

I nod, not wanting to set her down yet. I’m on another point. She’s clearly in need of a release—I am too—but guilt gnaws at me for bringing her here without setting her off.

Leaving her like this…

Either my features aren’t padlocked or she’s getting better at reading them because she asks, “How many people are downstairs?”

“All of SFO, Jack, and three of your cousins.”

“That’s quite a lot of ears that could hear…things.” She lifts her chin and straightens her off-kilter headband. “Rain check? For other things besides your cock in my pussy.”

My nose flares.

I fight against conflicting emotions. I want to set her down, kneel at her feet, hike her leg over my shoulder and eat her out until she hits a trembling peak. I want to take care of Jane and satiate her fucking needs, but also do it when there aren’t ten people downstairs.

I want to obey my orders and the leads.

I have to obey the leads.

I want Jane.

In another beat, I exhale a tensed breath. Readied for my purpose here, and it’s always to keep her safe. Anything less is un-fucking-acceptable.

I tell her, “We can work out more details later.” She’ll want more structure, and after I go through security meetings, there won’t be gray areas concerning what we need to do in public to pull this off.

She nods. “Bien.”

We stare at each other like we could kiss for another hour.

I haven’t let her go.

Come on, Thatcher.I need to move the fuck out, but I notice how she eyes the cord to my mic and earpiece.

I’m her bodyguard. Kissing me is just part of a security op.

We’re aware.

Slowly, gradually, I lower Jane, and her feet gently touch the floor.

I start heading to the door, but on instinct, I glance over my shoulder to check on her.

Curiosity bubbles up in her eyes. Her lips are more pink and swollen because of me, and she’s hanging on the bedpost again.