Page 62 of Burn Protocol

He arches his eyebrow in a challenge. His gaze drops down to my feet again and this time he drags it up with a different intent. I refuse to squirm, but that only seems to entertain him more.

“God, I love this place.” He chuckles low as he glances at Maya one last time. “Have a good shift, lieutenant.”

He tips his head as if to salute me, and walks toward his car. My head reels and my insides feel as tight as a bowstring ready for release. You are so screwed, Gonzales. Maya softly wraps her fingers around my wrist and tugs.

“Come on, El, let’s go,” she whispers. “We’re okay, all is well.”

She tugs again and my feet automatically start moving. One in front of the other. By the time we reach the door, I am smiling softly at myself. All is well indeed. After all, I have Maya at my side.

***

“Querida?”

“In here,” Maya’s voice sounds faintly from her study.

I walk toward the sound and smile. Maya stayed home today to work on her article, but she gave me the key to let myself in after my shift. It feels… right, to come home to her. Even if this building she lives in is basically a deathtrap that puts me on edge the whole time. Accidents can happen anywhere, Gonzales. I push the door open just as she closes her laptop and turns around to face me. A beaming smile on her face. I close the distance between us in two strides, pull her into my arms, and kiss her deeply.

“Well, hi there,” she smiles against my lips and I let out a soft hum.

“Hi.”

“You missed me.”

It is not a question, but a statement. One I can’t even argue with. Because, yes, I did miss her. The station feels empty without her presence. Hollow without her laughter and jokes. Even Rivera commented on it, and he prefers the peace and quiet.

“Did you get some work done?” I ask instead, and she lets out a low chuckle.

“Mhm-mm. But I think,” she purrs, “I need to explore the topic a bit more.”

I arch an eyebrow and lean back far enough to take her in. The smile around her lips is coy and her eyes are sparkling with mischief. She drags her nails over the small of my back and goosebumps erupt all over my arms. Her smile turns into a challenging grin.

I growl and nip at her jaw, before sliding my hands under her ass and lifting her up. Maya lets out a squeal, and now I am the one grinning. I sink my teeth into the soft skin under her ear and she instantly rolls her hips against me. Her breath ghosting against my cheek.

I walk us to her bedroom, pushing it open with my foot, and lay her down gently. She blinks once, her eyes searching my face.

“W... what?” I stammer, suddenly hyper-self-aware.

“You’re so… gentle,” she lets out a surprised chuckle and I freeze.

“Maya…” My voice is a low warning rumble, but she just raises her eyebrow.

“What? You promised me rough…”

The lightness in her tone is such a stark contrast to what she is asking of me, that I am thrown back for a moment. I run my hand through my hair as I gaze at her. Maya’s eyes are on mine, not breaking the contact for a single second. She slowly grazes her teeth over her bottom lip. The movement is so sensual that I feel myself soaking my underwear.

“Fuck, Maya,” I whisper with a hoarse voice.

“What?”

Again that innocent smile crosses her face. And suddenly every fiber in my body wants to wipe it off. I surge forward, pouncing at her like some sort of animal. She yelps and giggles as I press her into the mattress and kiss her hard.

“Off,” I growl as I tug at her shirt.

She obeys while I unbutton her pants and slip them off along with her panties. The heat builds in my core as I gaze down at her unapologetically hot body. I remove my own shirt so slowly that I can hear her whimper.

When I toss it to the floor, I make sure to flex my arm just a little bit and I can hear Maya’s breath stutter. I raise my gaze to meet hers when I slowly step out of my pants. Her eyes dart hungrily over my body and she unconsciously licks her lips. Never in my life have I felt so wanted as in this moment.

I straddle her, pinning her underneath me. Her eyes are wide and dark as she looks up at me, expectantly.