“Wow.” He raised his eyebrows in approval. “That last move you did was…” He searched for the right words, couldn’t find them, and settled on, “It was really something.”
Her kiss-swollen lips curved into a mischievous smile. “You’ll find I’m full of promises.” She wiggled her eyebrows.
He chuckled, feeling lighter than he had in years. “Luke?The Empire Strikes Back, right?”
Her expression shifted to amused intrigue as she propped herself up on an elbow, gazing down at him. “You’ve really brushed up on yourStar Warstrivia.”
He reached out to gently run his thumb over her bottom lip, marveling at how soft it was. How it fit perfectly against his when they kissed. “I wanted to impress you.”
Her eyes sparkled as she lifted the covers, glancing down his body. “It’s notStar Warsquotes that impress me.”
“Oh, yeah?” he teased, his grin widening as he tackled her onto the mattress.
She let out a squeal, her laughter lighting up the room as he pinned her beneath him. She didn’t fight back—instead, her arms wrapped around his shoulders, and her body molded to his. He couldn’t help but take a moment just to feel—her warmth, her softness, the sheerrightnessof being here with her. The thought that he might get to feel this way for the rest of his life filled him with something dangerously close to happiness.
“So.” He brushed a strand of hair from her face. “When do we get to start tradingMarvelmovie quotes?”
She scrunched her nose. “I have to admit. I’ve never gotten into theMarveluniverse.”
He blinked, utterly baffled. “Why? Superheroes are just star-fighters with better costumes.”
She laughed, the sound like music to his ears, and reached up to smooth down his perpetually unruly cowlick. Her fingers lingered in his hair, and he closed his eyes, luxuriating in her touch. “Maybe because nobody ever took the time to introduce me to the finer attributes of the franchise.”
“Well…” He wiggled his eyebrows. “We’re going to have to remedythatimmediately.”
Her smile softened. “So you’re planning to stick around?”
The question made his heart stutter. There was still so much to consider. He’d have to tell her the truth about BKI. If they were really going to do this, he refused to keep secrets from her. But that would come later.
For now, he gave her the simple truth, “I want to. I’m scared of the thought of loving you and losing you. But now I thinknotletting myself love you is evenmoreterrifying.”
“Good answer,” she whispered, tilting her head to kiss him. Her lips were soft, her tongue eager. “Right answer,” she added before crossing her ankles behind his back and wiggling her hips against him in a way that made his body surge with renewed desire.
As he moved with her in that age-old rhythm, his thoughts slipped away from fear and into something else entirely.
Boss was right all along. So was Taylor Swift.
From the beginning, some invisible string had been pulling him and Julia together. He’d tried to fight it, tried to stretch it until it broke, but it was stronger than him. Stronger than her.
It was the strength ofthem. Together. Andthatwas the biggest adrenaline rush he’d ever known.
Epilogue
Washington D.C.
The snow drifted softly against the windows of the hotel suite like a curious visitor.
Bishop leaned against the glass, gazing out at the Capitol. Colorful Christmas lights adorned the buildings and shimmered through the flurries.
To most, the sight would be a symbol of hope and seasonal joy. To him, it was a pretty façade that covered a cracked foundation that would crumble to dust soon enough. And oh! How he longed for the day.
Behind him, a soft knock announced the arrival of his visitor. He didn’t call out as he hit the remote that automatically closed the blinds and blocked out the view of the city.
Let him wait, he thought maliciously.The strong control the clock. The weak merely watch it tick away.
“You’re late,” he said after taking his time to open the door and then motion for the operative to come in.
The man shifted uncomfortably, his leather shoes scuffing against the polished wood floor as he stepped into the room. “Traffic.”
