that, a car waiting for them at the curb. The drive to St. Peter’s was silent. Dodger was trying to work out a way to tell Anna how he felt. Everything seemed to crash in on him, how he had crossed a line that would have ramifications for both him and his relationships with the team, his promise to Max not to hurt her, and the fear he had harbored for a long time.
She slipped her hand into his as they pulled up and the guards ushered them into the pontiff’s personal living quarters.
“Please wait here,” the guard said and disappeared. It wasn’t long before he was back with the pope.
“Español?” the pope asked.
They both responded yes, they spoke Spanish, which was the pope’s native language.
He said in Spanish, “I wanted to thank you for your efforts in foiling this plan. Although I have already forgiven my attackers, I wanted to make a special effort in seeing the people who worked so hard to keep me safe. Will you dine with me?”
“We’d be honored.”
Later on, Dodger and Anna slipped into bed together, both of them exhausted. She shifted, hooking her arms around his neck, her touch reassuring as she caressed his nape. She didn’t say anything. She didn’t have to. He knew she understood, maybe even better than he did. Using both hands, he smoothed her hair into one long fall.
His thoughts turned inward, wondering how it would be to have Anna, her family, and yeah, even Mad Max in his life permanently. “Anna…”
She made a soft sound and said, “I know.”
“Can’t we—”
“No, Dodger. We can’t,” she said huskily. “Should I leave? Is this too hard?”
“I can handle a little hard,” he said, wanting this time with her.
“So can I,” she said, laughing softly to lighten the mood. “And you have it in abundance. Once again, God bless Mother Nature and the Navy.”
“The cheek, woman.” He exhaled sharply and leaned over and tipped her head up, giving her a soft kiss. “I wish this could last,” he whispered gruffly.
“We’ll always have the memories, Dodger. No one can take them away from us. Whatever happens, this has been life-changing.”
Who the hell knew? Maybe she didn’t want him hanging around on a permanent basis.
The moment he let go, she turned, rising up to straddle his body. Her expression solemn, she caught his face between her hands and stared at him, then she leaned into him and gave him a soft, comforting kiss that turned into something hot, then hotter.
The feel of her hands against his face, the absolute comfort in her touch, made his throat cramp up, and he closed his eyes, experiencing such a surge of emotion that he was damn near torn in two. Opening his mouth against hers, he ran his hand up her back, then down to her hips, urging her to ride him. His dick was achingly hard, and he could tell by the slick feel of her, she was ready.
She smoothed her hands across his shoulders and down his chest, riding him, the heat of her sliding against his cock in rhythmic movements that drove him crazy. She toyed with his nipple. When she squeezed it, the jolt of sensation made him lift his hips.
“Anna,” he whispered.
She reached down and guided him inside. Dodger clenched his jaw against the electrifying surge of feeling, his hips coming off the mattress as she moved slowly, pushing and pulling him with her.
His pulse thick and heavy, he tightened his hands on her hips and drove into her with uncontrollable thrusts. He rolled his head, the cords of his neck taut, as the agony of sensation shot through him. Her breath caught and she flexed her hips, meeting each deep penetration, her hot, wet tightness gripping him, stroking him, drawing him closer and closer. He reached down and found her core, his thumb increasing her sounds of pleasure. He could tell she was close, and he lost it.
His release was intense, followed by hers, and she collapsed against him. His heart was so full and yet so hollow.
The next morning, they flew back to Prague. Mouse had to remain in the hospital for another few days, but it didn’t look like he was feeling any pain with Chiara fluffing his pillows and laughing at his jokes.
“Okay, I meant to ask you this last night,” she said when they got off the plane. “What did you say to the pope that had him in stitches?”