She’d never, in her entire wild life, been kissed with such complete focus. His warmth drugged her, and his taste of mint, promise, and man seduced her more completely than any words of love. The kiss was all Tace. Everything she’d wanted and everything she’d feared.
Yet she couldn’t help but kiss him back, pulled into his slow movements and deliberate gentleness.
A growl rumbled up from his chest and into her mouth, sending electricity through her. She moved against him, her body becoming restless. His pressed her into the bed, holding her still, as he continued playing.
Finally, he lifted his head to let her breathe. His eyes had darkened, and his nostrils flared. Desire was stamped hard across his face. “If you don’t want this to happen, now’s the time to put a halt to things.” The drawl deepened with his need. His strong hand still cupped her jaw, and he swept his thumb across her tingling mouth. “I want to taste every inch of you.”
She shivered. He’d take his time about it, too. Her mind fuzzed and her body yearned. “This is a mistake.”
“Yeah. Wanna make it?” His gaze dropped to her mouth again.
God, she wanted him. It seemed as if her penchant for bad boys and huge mistakes hadn’t ebbed. Maybe it was impossible to truly change. Right now, with her body on fire, she didn’t care. She needed relief. “Yes, but just one night.”
“Darlin’? I could take a whole night just with your breasts.”
Her nipples hardened to rock. Traitorous little bastards. She thought rapidly but not too deeply. “Okay, two nights. These two nights in Merc territory, and then we go back to normal. This can’t be a thing.” Her voice came out breathy and low. If he knew her story, her criminal past, he wouldn’t like her. Even now, at his darkest, Justice was all about law and order.
“Hmm.” He licked along her jawline, and she arched against him, caressing down his flanks.
She’d said yes, and now she could touch him. Really touch him. Firm muscle and unreal strength filled her palms. Even his lower back was muscled. She hesitated upon reaching his very fine butt.
“Don’t stop now,” he whispered, his breath heating her ear right before he nipped.
She jerked and then laughed. “All right.” While he licked the shell of her ear, she ran her hands over his taut ass. Firm and hard . . . just like the rest of him. He finished with her ear and lifted up to settle his mouth over hers, more firmly this time.
She caressed up his torso and under his shirt. They had too many clothes on. She opened her mouth to tell him, and he dove in, kissing her hard. She lost herself in the moment, her palms on his warm skin.
A hard knock on the door had him off her in a second and standing between the bed and the door. “What the fuck?” he snapped.
“Tace?” Greyson knocked again. “We need a medic.”
Sami sat up and fumbled for the flashlight. She flipped it on and tried to control her breathing somehow. Then she yanked the sheet to her throat like a damsel from the fifties would have.
Tace stomped forward and shoved the dresser out of the way. “If you’re fuckin’ with me, I’m killin’ you.” He yanked open the door.
Sami pointed the flashlight at Grey. He stood bare chested with unbuttoned jeans it appeared he’d hurriedly yanked into place. Bruises, cuts, and ripped muscle showed both the strength and danger he exuded. His dark hair was ruffled and his eyes cloudy.
He winced and held up a hand to protect his eyes. “We had a Ripper attack on our south border, and one of my guys needs stitching up. The other is still knocked out, and I don’t know how bad it is. Would you take a look?”
Tace’s shoulders went down.
Sami tried to calm herself. Oh God. What had she almost done? Heat flared into her face. Thank goodness it was dark in the room. Five minutes more, and she would’ve been naked with Tace Justice.
Tace glanced her way and then back at Greyson.
Oh. Sami slid from the bed. “I’ll come assist.”
Tace shook his head. “If you put the dresser in front of the door, then you can sleep. Don’t let anybody in but me.” He glanced at Grey. “I expect you to guarantee her safety if you want my help.”
“I give you my word.” Grey eyed them. “I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” He turned and disappeared down the darkened hallway.
Tace grabbed her hand and tugged her toward the door. “I’ll wait until I hear the dresser in place. I’ll be back in a few hours, so you get some sleep.” He turned and pressed a hard kiss to her mouth. “We’re not done with this.”
He moved into the hallway and shut the door.
She swallowed several times.
“Dresser,” he barked from the other side.
