“I can’t say I remember.”
Her actions exaggerated, she held her hand in front of me as she curled her fingers. I’ll be damned if the little woman wasn’t dissecting me with ease. “You’re lying to protect me, of course. You’re still worried I’ll fall apart as additional memories float to the surface. I assure you I’ve prepared myself for the possibility. You mentioned your poker buddies before. That would mean guys who get together on a regular basis. You’d all have something in common. Like law enforcement in your backgrounds. Right?”
She had no intention of letting this go.
“Maybe so.”
“Yes, I know I’m right. And given the tone of your books, I’d say your friends share the same fury at the justice system, angered that so many criminals managed to get away with their crimes.”
As serious as the situation demanded us to be, laughing with her had become a regular occurrence and I hoped for more. “That I will admit to. When criminals walk free of a crime where all evidence points to their guilt, but a stupid technicality caused by a single mistake destroys the case, you bet it pisses me off.When a monster is freed based on good behavior after being told by countless psychiatrists the bastard is playing them, then goes out and murders again, oh, hell yeah, I have murderous thoughts.” My blood pressure was increasing as her interest was growing.
“I understand.”
“When children are harmed—children, for fuck’s sake—after red flags were missed, that strips away any sense of belief in the goddamn system. You bet I’ve thought about taking matters into my own hands. You bet…” With a deep exhale, I looked away. So much for keeping the group protected.
“It takes an honorable man to challenge the system.”
“Or as you said, a vigilante. The less you know, the better.”
“Perhaps the more I know, the stronger the chance we can help each other. Obviously the killer, whether copycat or the great Python has figured out we’re close. Besides, I’d much rather spend my time with a vigilante any day. At least he’s a just man.”
A just man. If she only knew the things I’d done in the last year. Did I feel any guilt? In truth, hell, no. As I stood here today, I wished I’d done more. Now I had my chance. “Be careful what you wish for.”
“I’m always careful. You know,” she purred as she walked around me in a full circle, wide enough I couldn’t reach out and pull her close. “I also seem to remember after a few mysterious deaths of several people involved who’d been on the wrong side of the law, messages were left. In dust or embers on cars.”
“Oh, really? What was said?”
When she slowly returned to being only a few inches in front of me, I didn’t allow the distance between us to get in the way, taking a single long stride and jerking her against me. Her yelp indicated delighted surprise.
“Justice served. Imagine that.”
I pulled her onto her toes, my hands remaining wrapped around her wrists. “Imagine that.” I lowered my head, allowing our lips to remain a few centimeters away. “What I’m involved in has been a long time coming and it’s vital that no one knows who we are or our missions.”
“So you’re saying you can’t trust me.”
“I’m saying I already do. But as with every mission, some aspects on a need-to-know basis could keep you alive. And God knows I don’t want you hurt ever again, Alexia.”
“Is that why you’re so protective?” Her whispered voice continued. “You somehow think you failed me before?”
“I did. You were forced to suffer for much longer than necessary.”
“Because your hands were tied by rules.”
A strangled laugh breached the surface. “My greatest regret.” When she cupped my face, I was taken aback. There were a dozen emotions in her eyes, feelings that didn’t need words, but dear God, I wanted to hear.
“You did everything you could.” She cocked her head, taking the time to trace lines on my face, even rolling the tip of her finger down the bridge of my nose. “You were the reason I was able to go on including emotionally. I’ll never be able to repay you.”
“There’s no reason to repay me.”
“Is there no other reason you’re so protective of me?”
“Isn’t that enough?” I brushed my lips across hers, relishing the softness of hers, the hunger ebbing and flowing through us both. The hunger was spiking off the charts. I could easily ravage her sprawled out across the computers. If only we had the time.
With a slight arch, she pushed her breasts against my chest, the pressure just enough I couldn’t control my urges. The kiss was sweet at first, the voice inside my head allowed the time to try to convince me my actions were wrong. The failure was instantaneous when I thrust my tongue inside. The feel of having her in my arms was everything a red-blooded man could ask for.
Together, we explored each other’s mouths, taking our time to do so. Goddamn, I could easily quench my thirst from the taste of her lips alone.
The seconds ticked by and I knew if I didn’t stop this now, nothing would. Just breaking the kiss took everything I had. As soon as I did, she repeated the dart of her tongue across her bottom lip, the slight purr coaxing me to continue.
