“It will be. Public-facing security systems with inadequate encryption. Chain of custody is clean. Nothing that won’t holdup in court.” I’ve already run through the legal angles in my head—twice. “This is gift-wrapped, Alex. All you have to do is take it.”
Another pause. Longer this time. I can hear her breathing, can almost hear the gears turning in her head.
“I’ll need to talk to my superiors,” she finally says. “And the lawyers.”
“You have twelve hours.”
“Josie—”
“Twelve hours. After that, I start making other calls.” I let a hint of steel creep into my tone. “The ATF has been sniffing around for a win for months. I’m sure they’d love a shot at Caruso. Or maybe the DEA—I heard whispers they’ve been feeling left out lately.”
“You wouldn’t?—”
“Try me.” I smile, even though she can’t see it. “Twelve hours. I’ll look forward to hearing from you.”
I end the call and let out a breath.
Stone is staring at me.
“What?” I ask.
“That was...” He shakes his head slowly. “Impressive doesn’t cover it.”
“I used to do this for a living.”
“Yeah, but watching you do it...” He uncrosses his arms, pushing out of the chair, moving toward me with intent in his eyes.“Watching you take control like that. Bend a federal agent to your will with nothing but words.”
“Are you turned on right now?”
“Incredibly so.”
Heat floods through me. “The door?—”
“Is locked.” His mouth brushes my ear. “I locked it when the call started. Just in case.”
“Just in case of what?”
“Just in case I needed to do this.”
He drops to his knees, pulls down my sweats, and ravishes me.
Apparently assertive women are his kink. Good to know.
He gets me off quickly and surges back up, kissing me until the taste of my orgasm decorates my tongue. I’m trembling, nerve endings sparking, but instead of sating me, the orgasm made me hungrier.
I want more. I want to feel the weight of him in my hand, want to know what sounds I can drag out of that controlled mouth. I need Stone.
Now.
“Boone.” I push against his chest until he straightens. “I believe I mentioned collecting on a debt.”
His eyes darken. “Josie?—”
“Sit down.”
For a moment, I think he’s going to argue. Then, slowly, he backs up until his legs hit the leather couch against the wall. He sits.
I stand, crossing to him with deliberate slowness, watching his eyes track my every movement. My pulse pounds between my thighs, still swollen and sensitive from his mouth. But this isn’t about me anymore.
