Page 10 of The Aries Alliance (BLP Signs of Love #14)

Sealed

I never saw myself as an undercover operative, but it made sense as War shared his motivation for vengeance.

Despite his in-your-face approach, I felt in my bones that he was a noble man.

The way he shared his mother’s story showed me firsthand that he could be empathetic.

It made me want to share more of myself with him.

“Let’s seal this deal with something special, starting with a drink.” War picked up a half-full wine glass and lifted it toward me.

I did the same, then clicked my glass with his before downing the slightly chilled liquid. We lowered our glasses and, for the next few minutes, sat in comfortable silence.

“Tell me about your support system. Who can you lean on as you embark on this escapade?” he asked.

Since I just let my guard down, should I share insider information about those closest to me?

“You can trust me,” he said as if he had read my mind. “Take a chance to tell me the truth.”

I took a big breath as War studied my features.

“Give me a minute. EFU has taught me to be guarded.” I picked up my water glass and took another sip of water, followed by a deep breath.

He nodded.

“Take your time.”

It was harder than I thought, sharing my truth.

“I haven’t had a lot of people look out for me in life. I’ve always been the strong one, even as a kid. My therapist helped me see that’s why I fight so hard for others. It’s what I’m used to.”

“That makes sense.”

“Although many think I’m reckless for pushing against the system as I do, I try to center others first. Everyone deserves to be protected and treated with dignity and grace at work.” The volume of my voice descended until I pursed my lips.

War reached for my hand.

“Your core is good, Scarlett.”

“Thank you.”

That motivated me to share more.

“Oh, . . . my best friend, Val, is also my rock. We’ve been close since college. She’s not shocked by my zeal.”

“I like that for you. My sister, Tiffany, is a therapist. She’s on board with my quest for justice. I’d love to connect the two of you. It takes a village to keep your mind right.”

“I agree, and thank you.”

“I was harsh in my office, but I care about your well-being. You deserve complete restoration as you process your work hurt.”

Although I’d been gaslighted by countless people at work, this was the first time anyone from EFU acknowledged that what I endured was harmful.

It was what I expected from Warrick in the first place.

What I realized now was that our culture wouldn’t allow him to support me.

His humility made me trust him even more.

“Thanks for calling my work hurt what it was. I’d like to connect with Tiffany.”

“My pleasure.” War sipped his wine before focusing his intense gaze on me again.

“Do you have a man? For moral support?” War leaned so close his scent filled my nostrils.

My guard rose slightly at the sudden turn in conversation. Like before, I wasn’t sure how to answer.

“Uh, kind of. I mean, I date occasionally. Why?”

My initial attraction to Warrick reared its head as his light eyes bore into my dark ones. The sexual chemistry in the room was undeniable, tapping into my passionate nature.

War finally tore his eyes from mine, then placed his arm lightly across my shoulders.

Common sense told me to change the subject, but my body hungered for War and what he might do to satisfy my physical desires.

He lowered his voice, his warm breath teasing my ear.

“I want to know who you spend your private time with, since I’m gonna be all up in your business when we work together. I don’t want one of your boo thangs to come after me when you don’t have time for him.”

I sucked in my stomach and placed both of my hands on my abdomen, taking short, shallow breaths. When I turned my head to study War’s face, his hooded eyes lingered on my lips. I stared at his full ones as I spoke.

“The guys I date know I work a lot. I hate clingy men.” I shifted my eyes to the wall to break our trance.

He chuckled and stroked his chin.

“Good. I’d hate for your man’s feelings to be hurt when you come to him smelling like me.”

I whipped my head back toward War, stunned by his words.

“Why would I smell like you?”

He placed his fingers under my chin and held my head steady, ensuring I gave him my full attention.

“Teamwork makes people grow close. I want you and your man not to be surprised when he’s balls deep in you, and you call out my name.” He bit my earlobe and sucked it lightly.

My clit thumped as I imagined War inside me. The image, along with his overwhelming presence, had me squirming and shifting my hips.

He released my lobe and rubbed the wet spot with his fingers. I turned to him with my mouth open.

No , he didn’t.

As I tried to recompose myself, War positioned his lips inappropriately close to mine.

“Do you like me shocking you?” His low voice reminded me of a lion’s purr.

I smiled, unable to lie as he stimulated all my senses.

“I’m a red-blooded woman who enjoys passionate exchanges, so yes.”

“Passionate exchanges, huh?”

War cupped my chin and turned my head toward him with his fingers.

I opened my mouth slightly, a combination of shock and anticipation at the close-up view of his flawless skin and perfect features.

He drew his lips in and then licked them, making them wet and shiny.

I unconsciously licked mine too. My throat suddenly felt dry, although I had been drinking water all night.

Before I gathered my thoughts, War brushed his lips so lightly over mine, I wondered if he touched me. I anticipated him doing it again, but he hovered inches away with his breath and body smelling like temptation. We were crossing boundaries, and I liked it.

“Do you have a woman?” I moved closer and asked the question directly into his lips.

It felt like the proper thing to ask.

He chuckled, then sat back.

“I always have a woman.” He reached for my hand and kissed my inner wrist. “But I’m only trying to get up under one.”

Goodness, War was smoother than the finest silk.

“Only one?” I raised my eyebrows, my eyes searching his.

I was playing with fire, but I didn’t care.

“Yeah. I need to keep my distance, though, because what I do with her could bond us for life.”

“Like matching tattoos?” I asked the question innocently.

War flashed his canines and lowered his eyes to my hips, leaning back and letting his eyes roam over my lower body.

“Naw. I’d be more interested in tattooing my lady’s fat ass.”

War raised his eyebrow and held my eyes.

I opened my eyes wide.

He broke his posture, then threw his head back, laughing so loudly it eventually had me giggling too.

“I’m going to enjoy you so much,” he said, brushing his fingers over my chin.

I fiddled with the chain of my thin gold necklace with one hand and picked up my water glass with the other. As I took a big drink, I reveled in the rush of my engagement with War. The little girl in me was pleased that I pleased him.

“We need to focus,” I said the words out loud more for myself than for him.

“Okay, but for the record, I am focusing.” His eyes raked over my breasts. “On you.”

I straightened my body and then wiped the side of my mouth with my fingers.

War’s lowered eyes and luscious eyelashes had me wanting to climb him like a pole.

He finally tore his eyes from me and checked his watch.

“Let’s go to the den and start our official work so we’ll be ready before Monday. I’m not going to have you walk in unprepared for battle.”

“Is it that deep?”

For the first time since I arrived, War’s demeanor turned stern.

“Yes, it is. But when we’re done, we can hop in the jacuzzi tub or chill on the deck where I’ll grill out.”

“I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

“The only suit you’ll need is your birthday suit.”

My mouth formed a huge “O” as War grinned. He kissed the back of my hand and smiled. “I promise all of this will be worth your while.”

“It better be.”

Never did I expect fighting oppression to get me high, but it did with War by my side.