He exhales, shaking his head like he hates this but is trying to wrestle through it, trying to let me and not control me. And that’s why we work. Because even when he doesn’t like it, even when he doesn’t agree, he gives me space to make my own decisions. He knows I can’t be controlled. Not outside the bedroom, at least. In there… well, he can tell me exactly what to do.
“I don’t love it,” he mutters. “But I get it.”
“It’s surveillance only. No interaction.” I stopped doing those as soon as Gabriel and I got together. I would never put myself in a dangerous situation again.
He rakes a hand through his hair, exhaling sharp through his nose. “So, this is what the surprise was? Because I have to admit, it kind of sucks.”
I laugh. “No,” I grin, brushing my lips over his. “The surprise was the meal I made you. A distraction to keep you from being mad when I told you I had to leave and couldn’t have dinner with you.”
“Aly,” he sighs, “When will you realize I could never be mad at you?”
I kiss him.
“So, when will you be home tonight?”
“In a couple hours. The case is in Hartford, so it’s not a far commute.”
“I’ll drive you.”
“That’s not allowed.”
“Fuck if it’s allowed. I’m going to do it.”
I laugh, shaking my head. “I’m serious, Gabriel. It’s fine. Don’t you have work to catch up on anyway?”
He wrestles with that response because he doesn’t want to lie to me, but I know he needs to catch up on some of the bookkeeping things his business requires.
“Look, it’s just a quick surveillance gig. I’m watching the guy leave the gym, seeing where he goes, recording some video—maybe grabbing some audio—then turning right back around and coming home.” I squeeze his biceps then press my hands to his chest, feeling the slow, steady rise and fall of his breath beneath my palms. “Coming home toyou. Toourbed. To slipping under the covers, back into your arms.” I arch a brow, letting my voice drop, teasing. “I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
His grip on my hips tightens. “Better mean you’ll be on your knees for me.”
I smirk. “That depends. Do you want me on my knees or bent over? Or do you want to tie me up again?”
He groans, tilting his head back, exasperated and aroused all at once, which is my favorite combination on him. He rubs my hips against his thick cock, and it takes everything inside of me not to give into what he wants, what I want. But I’m on a timeline and I need to get to Hartford quickly or I’ll lose this gig and the money that comes with it.
“Surveillance only. Watching him leave the gym, then coming straight back to me so I can tie you to the bed and suck on your pussy?”
I smile. “Yes. Use the good ropes too.”
He exhales through his nose, fighting a curse. “Fine. I’m leaving marks this time.”
“Good.” I trail my fingers over his jaw before pressing a slow kiss to his lips, savoring the feel of him, his warmth, the way he always tastes like himself. “I made your favorite for dinner. Steak and potatoes.”
His arms tighten around me. “Fuck, I love having you here for so many reasons. Pussy and steak. Doesn’t get any better.”
I kiss him again, then wrap him in a hard hug before slipping toward the door. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“I love you, sweetheart.”
I smile over my shoulder. “Love you too.”
Then I step outside to work a case I have no idea is about to change everything.
***
Thirty minutes later, I’m parked outside ofHappy Life Fitness Centerin Hartford, Connecticut waiting for my target.??
I haven’t even looked at his name yet. Or his age. Or the photo the woman who hired me attached to her request. The job came in fast. Last minute. An email from my PI firm asking if I was available tonight on short notice. They knew I lived in Brookhaven now. Closer than my coworker. Closer than any of the other investigators who would’ve had to drive in from New York and it was marked urgent.
