Escalation - Tessa Teevan Page 0,61
intense lovemaking experience of my life. I don’t know what got me worked up. But as I stared down at her, pouring out my heart, it hit me just how much she’s ingrained herself in my heart. My soul. The thought of losing her crossed my mind—then a flash of her on the stretcher. I couldn’t help myself. I needed to do what I couldn’t that day. And as I gave her my breath, I did so much more.
I gave her my heart.
I gave her me.
Which is why I have half a mind to slip out of bed and continue this fishing expedition on my own. As amazing as last night was, I would gladly erase it if it meant she was somewhere safe, far away from this place. But if I do this without her, she’ll be pissed. Hell, she might get pissed if she knew I was even considering it. Still, I rack my brain for ways to minimize the danger she’s in. Aside from locking her in the hotel and not leaving until our plane leaves, there’s not much I can do.
“Stop thinking so loud. I’m trying to sleep.” Brie’s playful tone breaks through my thoughts, and I decide to give it one shot. One last ditch effort to get her to stay in the hotel. Even though I know it’s most likely futile, I know I have to at least try to persuade her.
Rolling over, I hook my arm around her waist and pull her into me until we’re chest to chest. My erection juts straight out, seeking her entrance, staking his claim. The guy knows what’s up. Her eyes dance with delight, and she sucks on her bottom lip, which is so damn enticing.
“How about we stay in? Get some room service. Rent a dirty movie. Act out your wildest fantasies then spend hours soaking in the tub before getting dirty all over again. This is our weekend. We can do whatever we want…and what I want to do right now, is you.” I wriggle my eyebrows, nearly choking on the cheese of my words. I can instantly tell that she’s not buying it.
Her mouth tilts down in a frown as she gazes at me. “Rafe…”
“Come on. We’ve been working for weeks, and I think we both deserve this break. This is vacation. We’re meant to stay in bed and fuck all day long.” The argument is weak, but I have to try or else I’ll hate myself.
“A working vacation. We agreed to that. And we agreed that, last night, there’d be no talk of what we’re really here for. Last night is over, and it’s a brand-new day. I’m ready for some answers. Aren’t you?”
I sigh, running a hand over my face. “Of course I am. It’s just… I’m worried, Brie. Something doesn’t feel right. Like we shouldn’t be here.”
She sits up and crosses her legs. “Why? Have you heard something? Did Agent Howard call?”
I toy with her tiny fingers. “No, no. Nothing like that. As far as I know, there haven’t been any new developments. Everything’s quiet on the agency’s end.”
“Which is why we need to do this. So let’s shower, grab some breakfast, and get this day started. Clock’s ticking, Matthews. We have a mystery to solve.”
She says it with such nonchalance that it surprises me. Like she’s Nancy fucking Drew, not a girl who was recently thrown in the back of a trunk by her insane, possibly psychotic ex-boyfriend who wanted to do who knows what with her. I want to scold her, to shake her until she realizes the danger she’s in, but I refrain. Though she’s playing it cool, I see the pause in her expression. She’s taking this seriously, even if she doesn’t admit it out loud.
After planting a kiss on my cheek, she crawls off the bed. My gaze follows her, firmly planted on her ass until she stops and looks back at me, a devilish grin crossing her lips.
“Rain check on the fantasy part though,” she says, a twinkle in her eyes, before disappearing into the bathroom.
As the water turns on, I grab my phone. No missed calls, no messages. No checking in. Not even a response to my e-mail about my plans for the future. No word whatsoever. The lack of contact makes me uneasy, yet I can’t call to check in myself. Not with Brie around. Still, I can’t help but wonder what the silence could mean for us.
It’s like the calm before the