“You’re pretty bossy, you know that?” Teddy pushed back.
Sydney’s face split into a grin. “Yes, I am.”
Damn, she’s got it going on.
“I’m dressed like a boss woman, so I gotta act like one,” Sydney replied. “Look, we’ve got SWAT patrolling outside, and the place is crawling with LEOs. I have some idea what’s going on, and it’s not good.”
She retrieved her glass of wine and Teddy’s beer, handed Teddy his bottle, then tapped her glass against his.
After sipping her wine, she said, “Let’s have fun. Car, I can tell you and Grey are under a shit-ton of stress, and I’ve only been home twenty-four.” She regarded Teddy. “I don’t have deets, but I’m guessing this includes you. Tomorrow, you three can take care of biz like the baddies you are. But tonight, I’m the boss and I say, let’s get craaay-zeeeee!”
The song had changed, the fast tempo had the crowd rocking. Sydney started dancing, Caroline too, so he joined in. It took a little coaxing from Caroline, but Greystone started moving.
Sydney might not be BLACK OPS, but she’d homed in on their mental state. For months, they’d been wound tightly.
Time to let loose.
He was going to spend the evening with the beautiful, intriguing woman who’d hijacked his thoughts from the moment he’d set eyes on her. After chugging down a few mouthfuls of beer, he moved closer to Sydney. To his surprise, she started grinding on him pretty good.
Damn woman. You’re gonna give me blue balls.
SYDNEY
Sydney’s panties were soaked.She was gonna get laid, and she couldnotwait. She was one-hundred-percent sure she was doing the bump-n-grind with the gorgeous blond by her side. Life was complicated. Her job was hella stressful, but it was moments like these where everything became crystal clear.
She had it bad for him. Months earlier, when she didn’t hear from him, she didn’t think he was interested. Turned out, she’d messed up. Miscommunication resolved. Nothing but twoconsenting adults on a night when it made sense to go all-out wild.
Embrace the moment and all that shit.
They danced until perspiration trickled down her back. She loved turning Tank wild, loved touching him, feeling the ripped striations of rock-hard muscles. She could stare into his espresso-colored eyes all night long, but it was the way he looked at her, the intensity of his touch—like he owned her—and the need in his kiss that turned her inside out.
Tonight, she was giving herself full permission to lean into him. No over-thinking, no second guessing, no regrets.
They finished their drinks, switched to water, and guzzled them down like they’d spent a day on the Sahara. She loved that he was in constant contact—either holding her hands, or pulling her close. He’d drop a soft, gentlemanly kiss on her cheek, or a light one on her lips. While she appreciated that he wasn’t pawing at her or telling her how badly he wanted to fuck her, she needed him to unleash himself on her.
I’m ready… and I can handle it.
A slow song started, and they came together in a whoosh of energy. His muscular arms locking her in, his large hands trapping her, his ruggedly-handsome face so close to hers.
She couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t stop staring at him, but when she caressed his chiseled cheek, a shock of desire flooded her system. She was on fire, burning for him, and she was done waiting.
“Ohgod,” she growled.
“I got you,” he rasped.
He broke away, clasped her hand, and led her across the packed dance floor toward the bar.
OMG, what is happening?
She didn’t want another drink… she wanted him.
He bypassed the bartender and walked over to a tall, handsome man with short dark hair and piercing blue eyes.
“Hey, Tank,” said the man.
“Hawk, this is Caroline’s sister, Sydney. Sydney, meet Nicholas Hawk.”
“How’s it going?” Sydney asked.
