Touching his arm, I stop Sterling in his tracks.There’s only one way to convince him he’s wrong.One way to tip the scales past his resolve.
I lean up and kiss him.
He takes control, cupping my face and tilting my head back.His kisses are as controlled as he is, deliberate, deep.Hungry for more.
Sterling kisses with intention.
I melt into him, not caring.He’ll hold me up; he’ll keep me safe.All I need right now is this—the safety of his arms, the trust that everything will be okay.
Stroking my jaw, he pulls back.“You don’t know how long I’ve wanted to do that.”
I smile.“I do now.”
He grips Lucky’s shirt in his fist and reels him in, their mouths meeting hard and fast.It’s over as quick as it started, but the look in Sterling’s eyes says he’s not nearly done with us.“We have a lot to talk about, but first, I think we need to finish this.”
Lucky steals another kiss from Sterling, then picks me up and attacks my mouth so filthily that I almost forget what we’re doing here.
I’m panting when he puts me back down.
Even Sterling is biting back a smile.“Let’s go.”
* * *
The cops aren’t too pleased that we aren’t letting them in, but too bad; they’ll need to break the door down themselves.Besides, they should have their hands full with the hostages, especially that last guy.
At least he’s with his friend now.
“Must have shut the elevator down,” Lucky says, pressing the button again.
Sterling isn’t deterred, running behind the teller’s desk.“Then we take the stairs.There are only two levels below this; it won’t take long to find them.”
The stairwell is hidden but unlocked, and we don’t waste any time.
“This must be their escape plan,” I say.
“I don’t see how.There’s no exit except the foyer,” Sterling explains.“None of this makes any sense.The silent alarm was triggered almost as soon as they walked in; they’re taking gold, which is difficult to move and even easier to track; and they’ve been here long enough for there to be a full contingent of officers outside.It’s almost as if they want to be caught.”
“Mate, you know I love how your brain works, but some people are just shortsighted.These aren’t criminal masterminds we’re dealing with here.”
Our whispers echo back to us, effectively shutting us up.We can’t risk them hearing us.
“Your ass looks amazing in these pants, by the way.”
I look over my shoulder at Lucky, shooting him my best,Now?Really?
He grins widely.
“Keep up,”Sterling thinks, his expression as clear as it usually is.
A thrill runs through me.I have a fast pass to his inner thoughts now.No more guessing games.Nothing else for him to hide behind.
This skill is really going to come in handy.
When we reach the first basement level, Lucky opens the door a crack.
It’s silent.No voices, no thoughts.They’re not here.
Down.I point, hearing their silent confirmations.
