me.”
She stared up at him, her eyes wide, her body not moving. In fact, he wasn’t sure she was breathing. “I know it seems fast, but what I feel for you is real.” The air rushed from her lungs audibly, and her tongue darted out to lick her bottom lip, making it difficult to focus on anything other than her mouth.
She tilted her head slightly to the side, and her fingers flexed against his. “You said you’d never become involved with someone on a mission before.”
“It’s the truth. Never fallen for a mission before. And never had sex on a mission. I’ve always been about the job. I’ve always been about professionalism. I’ve never experienced anything personal while working until meeting you.”
Her hand shifted in his, and at first, he thought she was trying to break the hold. He instantly loosened his fingers, regretting the loss but respecting her wishes. To his surprise and pleasure, she was simply shifting her hand so that she could link fingers with his.
He glanced down as he so often did when they were close together, marveling at the difference between them. His large, tanned hand with callused fingertips holding her pale, soft hands. Different and yet so perfectly balanced together.
Lifting his gaze, he was surprised to see that she was also staring at their linked fingers. “What are you thinking?”
Her lips curved gently, and she replied, “I was just thinking that we seemed to fit so perfectly together.”
The iron band that had wrapped around his heart, fearful that she might not feel the same, loosened, allowing his heart to pound with joy.
Still smiling, she said, “I feel the same about you, Jorge. I wasn’t sure if it was the rescuee falling for the hero or if it was all something I felt alone.”
He stepped closer, bending to whisper into her ear. “I don’t mind being your hero, babe, but this is not a one-sided rescue. As smart and capable as you are, you’re right here with me.”
She placed her free hand on his arm, gliding it up to his shoulder. “I’m sorry I walked out on you earlier.”
“No apologies, Josie. This is a lot on you, and you needed some time to think.”
“Thank you for understanding that.”
He hesitated, his body desiring nothing more than to pull her flush against him, giving in to his desire. But now, more than ever, he needed her to make the move. What happened between them needed to be on her time, her decision.
Her lips continued to curve until her smile was wide and her blue eyes twinkled. She lifted on her toes, her hand going from his shoulder toward the back of his head where she put a little pressure to bend him closer.
He met her smile with one of his own and closed the distance. Her mouth landed on his, and as her tongue swept inside, gliding over his, he could’ve sworn sparks darted about the room. Still linking fingers with one hand, he banded his other arm around her waist and lifted, thrilled when she wrapped her legs around his waist. The heat of her core through her thin pajama bottoms seared straight to his cock.
Still not wanting to take anything for granted, his lips left her mouth and kissed along her jaw. Whispering, he said, “I’m not asking for promises for tomorrow that you can’t give me, but I’m letting you know that this means something to me. You mean something to me. Before we go any further, I need to know exactly what you want.”
She let go of his hand to cup his face, smoothing her palms over his stubble. “I was afraid it was only me. I was afraid that maybe this was nothing special to you, but Jorge, I promise you, I feel the same.”
He turned and walked to the bed, then stopped and waited.
“Yes, I want you,” she said. “I don’t know what tomorrow brings, either. But I know I don’t want you just for tonight. What I feel is so much deeper.” She leaned forward again and kissed him lightly. “Please, take me to bed.”
His heart leaped, knowing that future promises had not been made but also knowing that what they felt was real. Their lips met again, and rational thoughts flew from his head as his blood rushed to his cock.
She dropped her legs, but he held her easily, her feet barely dangling above the floor. With their bodies pressed tightly together, he angled his head, sealing his lips