Crossing her arms over her chest, she narrowed her eyes. “Not that you would tell me otherwise.”
He leaned back slightly, pulling his shirt from his waistband. “Did you want to see for yourself?” His eyebrows waggled humorously. “I’ll show you mine if you show me yours.”
Callie pursed her lips. “I don’t have a gunshot wound, you do.”
What would she do if he pushed the issue? Would she fall prey to the charms he was trying to show or would she bolt like a scared rabbit? Touching her again would cause him more pain and sleepless night but hell, he’d always been a glutton for punishment.
Unbuttoning his shirt, he pulled the sides apart, warmth flowing through him at her gasp and intake of breath. She might pretend she wasn’t affected but he knew otherwise.
“See,” he said, showing her the wound site and small scar remaining. Not that he’d tell her about the slight infection he’d gotten shortly after. More worry was something she certainly didn’t need.
Taking her hand, he guided it to his side. “All better.”
He kept hold of her hand and stroked his other one along the arm she’d braced on his shoulder. His fingers itched to continue their journey but would she let him?
“See, I’m fine. How about you?”
She started to pull away at his touch. No, he couldn’t let her, needed her too much.Distract her.
“So, one of the numbers you found was an FBI number.”
Her eyes widened and her hands remained where they were.Success.
“Do you know who the FBI agent is who works for Victor? Did you get him?”
He shook his head. His hands touching her legs again removed some of the disappointment. “No, it was an empty office not attached to a specific person. Anybody in the building could have used that phone. But this at least is solid proof someone in the Bureau works for Victor.” Thanks to his Army buddy, Chris Shaunessy, who worked out of the Baltimore field office. Getting this kind of info was almost impossible if you didn’t have access, which Jack didn’t anymore.
“You already knew that, though,” she responded. “It’s probably the person who kept giving away your position right after Angelo was killed.”
He continued moving his hands up her legs. The last thing he wanted to think about was Cabrini. Her skin was like silk, her thigh muscles tight but lean.
“Do you still run in the mornings? You used to love doing that. Said it was the one thing that woke you up adequately.” Though he’d had a unique way of waking her up too. Something more to his liking.
“Not every day like I used to. But I’ll go occasionally when Jonathan is at school. I don’t often get time without him and when I do, I need to focus on getting work done.”
His jaw tensed. “I should be here for you. Make things easier for you.” He wanted to be with her. Would give anything for that to happen. Now was all he had.
Pulling her closer, he moved one hand to the ties on her top, his other skimming up to her thigh. The ties came undone easily so he trailed his fingers over the creamy mounds popping out.
“Jack, we shouldn’t…”
When he touched his lips to the skin he’d been caressing, her words dried up. She slipped her hand into his hair and clenched, drawing him closer.Don’t need to be told twice.Licking his tongue along the pebbled tip, he tasted the sweetness he’d been so long denied. How had he gotten by without her as long as he had? How would he do it again when he needed to leave?
Right now he didn’t care. The taste of Callie on his lips drove the flames of desire higher and higher. His arousal throbbed and his jeans tightened. Sliding his hand under the lace of her panties, he squeezed her firm behind, wanting to go further. He pulled her even closer, trailing his mouth over her breast. Her legs slid farther apart to accommodate him. Dipping his finger inside her center, he found her warm and waiting for him. Heaven, pure sweet heaven.
As he slid a second finger inside to explore, she shook herself and pushed back. It had been too good to be true.Should have known better.
Her glimmering eyes filled with remorse as she stood and moved to face away from him. “We can’t, Jack, I’m sorry. I can’t put myself through that, then have you leave again.”
It tore her apart. For him it was even worse. Shattered dreams and desires were truths he lived with daily.
“I know, Calico, I’m sorry, too. I just want you so damn much.” Stepping toward her, he placed his hand on her shoulder. She tensed but didn’t pull away. “You’re beautiful and loving and I need a little bit of that in my life every now and then, so I don’t—”
He couldn’t finish. Couldn’t tell her how often he thought of putting a bullet in his head to end his suffering. Yeah, he was alive and healthy but living without her and Jonathan and always on the run was worse than anything hell could come up with. But he wasn’t a coward. It was his fault Victor was in their lives.Get back to work.Find a way to remove him.
Callie turned around, her eyes wide and frightened, guessing what he’d been about to say. Touching his cheek, she caressed the stubble that had gathered since his morning shave. A lone tear blazed a path down her cheek.
“Oh, Jack. I’m sorry I can’t give youeverythingyou want. But I can offer comfort for now. I hope it helps a little.”
