you to admit it. I’m sorry about that, too. And about—”
He rose once more and stood in front of her as Tilly moved out of the way, looking down with those delicious golden eyes that she had come to know so well.
“You didn’t know. I didn’t let you, then. And now… Now it doesn’t matter. We have a lot in common, Grace.” He smiled. “And not only because we’re shifters.”
There was hunger in his gaze. Lust.
She had managed to control the embers of desire that always ignited inside when she was with Simon. But now, her passion flared, as if it had suddenly burst into flame.
Impulsively, she reached up—and was suddenly in Simon’s arms.
His lips met hers, claiming them. His tongue penetrated her mouth, entering into a sexy duel that made her knees weak.
Before she could sink, he lifted her into his arms, his mouth not leaving hers.
“Your phone call was from the bedroom?” he asked.
“Yes,” she said and pointed generally toward it, eager for the wonders that awaited her there.
Chapter 14
Simon stayed the night.
His presence filled the small unit that was Grace’s Arizona home, especially the small bedroom where the sounds of their lovemaking reverberated against the walls.
His scent was raw and masculine and hypnotic. His body was hard and skilled. His growls and sexy rumbles were as wild as the most feral natures of each of them.
Simon’s touch, his taste, his exquisitely intense and erotic lovemaking… Grace’s most delightful memories couldn’t compare with the reality of spending hours in Simon’s embrace, beneath him, surrounding him. Even the sex they had shared briefly only a week or so ago… It had been delicious, but it had been over much too quickly when compared with this captivating, prolonged and extraordinary experience.
When Grace finally fell asleep, she felt sated. Exhausted. And when daylight arrived, Simon only had to touch her gently before they made love all over again.
Finally, clearly spent, his breathing gasping into her ear as they lay in a limp bundle wrapped in her bedclothes, Simon muttered, “I’d better go back to my place and shower and change. No fresh clothes here. Yet.”
The possessive suggestion made Grace grin to herself. She turned to burrow her face against the black and silver hairiness of his hard chest.
But she felt her expression shift grimly as reality intruded into her mind.
They had as much in common—more, in many ways—than she had even dreamed of originally.
They also had barriers between them that might never be overcome. Like her commitment, for so many reasons, to the military. To Alpha Force.
But this wasn’t the time to talk about that. If nothing else, for the sake of her unit and its success, she had to do all she could to encourage Simon to share the formula he had created to help control his shifting. She felt certain there’d be some give and take, that he could trade some of his secrets for those of Alpha Force—on a limited basis that only her superior officers could determine. He would benefit from the exchange, too.
She would be his liaison. Would take her lead from Lt. Patrick Worley soon.
Patrick would also help advise about sending pseudo-sick people here to Charles Carder to flush out the biohazards thieves.
And when that was done, when Grace’s mission was over and she returned to Ft. Lukman for her next assignment?
This wasn’t the time to think about that, either. Instead, she moved her sensitive breasts against Simon’s chest as she reached down for him one more time.
“Again?” He definitely sounded interested.
“Again,” she confirmed as his body reacted to her touch.
Simon stayed long enough to shower—alone, to prevent any further distractions for now, he said. But he gave her one heck of a kiss before he left. One full of promise and temptation.
When he was gone, Grace hurriedly put on some clothes and took the very patient Tilly out for a walk in the growing morning heat. The dog had stirred frequently during the night but hadn’t interrupted the humans and their strenuous activities on the bed above where she’d slept. Grace praised her now for being such a good girl.
On their way back into the residential building, Grace stopped as Kristine and Bailey caught up with them. The two dogs sniffed noses in greeting as residents in camo uniforms passed by.
“So you’re alone now?” Kristine said with a smug smile. She was in casual clothes, and her short, dark hair appeared mussed, as if Bailey and she had been running. “How was your night?”
Grace