Burnout_ A Legal Heat Novella - Sarah Castille Page 0,42

caught movement out of the corner of her eye. “Good God.” She slid back on the bed, lifting her feet off the floor.

“You going somewhere?” Ace, now wide-awake, edged toward her and wrapped a thick arm around her waist.

“Home?” She raised her eyebrows in query. “Somewhere rats aren’t about?”

“You aren’t safe at home.” He drew in a ragged breath. “I talked to Ice after they brought you up here. He spent some… time… with Andre in our… basement. What Andre told you was true. He ratted Jason out to the Red Dragons, and he told them about your connection to him. They’ve got him at their base of operations. If he can’t settle the debt he owes them, they’ll come after you. It isn’t fair, and I know you aren’t involved, but they won’t care. It’s all about saving face and ensuring no one thinks they will let disrespect slide.”

“Oh God.” Her hand flew to her mouth. “What will they do to him?”

Ace’s arm tightened around her, comforting rather than restraining. “Ice has a contact in the VPD who told him about a man they’ve got undercover in the Red Dragons. He verified that Jason is with them and still alive, but you need to stay here until we can get him back. I can’t protect you if you leave.”

“I didn’t realize I had a choice,” she said bitterly. “Maybe I got confused when Kickstand and Spook wrapped duct tape around my wrists and dragged me into their SUV and told me I had to go with them, and then locked me in your room after the doctor finished stitching you up.” She wriggled in his grip. “But thanks for making it clear. I appreciate the hospitality. I guess I’ll be going now.”

“Stay.” Ace slid his hand up, cupping her breast in his warm palm. “With me.”

“You kidnapped me.” Sophie pushed his hand away and turned on the bed to face him. “Do you honestly think I want to sleep with you after that?” She tried to ignore the fluttering in her belly and the rush of heat between her thighs.

“Yes.” He tagged her around the waist and pulled her close, easing her onto his lap, her knees on either side of his hips. “’Cause you know I did it for the right reason.”

“You’re wrong.” She gasped when he rocked her over his erection, hard beneath his jeans. Her bound hands dropped to his chest, and she studied the man who was both her captor and her saviour. His thick, dark hair fell to his shoulders. His body, though relaxed, hummed with raw power. His jaw, bristly with two days of stubble, was strong and defined, and he had a slight cleft in his chin that she hadn’t noticed before. So handsome. Her gaze dropped to his lips, full and expressive and made for kissing.

The air between them crackled, and she dropped her bound hand to his chest, meaning to push herself away. Ace slid his arm around her waist and pulled her down, pinning her against his body, her hands trapped between them.

This close to him, the scent of soap and antiseptic, leather and musky male filled her senses. She could feel the tension thrumming through his body; see the challenge in his eyes.

“Stay,” he said again. The word was at once a demand and a request.

With a flash of temper, Sophie pushed up, breaking his hold. She raised her bound hands above her head and brought them down hard, her elbows skimming her hips. The duct tape tore, and she wiggled her wrists to bring back her circulation.

Freedom.

She glanced down at Ace, her satisfied smirk fading when she saw pride in his eyes and not the anger or dismay she expected to see.

“I told them that wouldn’t hold you,” he said. “My girl’s strong. Inside and out.”

She wanted to leave. Instead, she smoothed her fingers against his jaw. She wanted to push him away. Instead, she tunneled her fingers into his hair and brushed it back from his face.

He responded with a soft groan, and she leaned down and pressed her lips against his. She put all her raw emotion into her kiss—anger, frustration, fear, and anxiety. Everything she had, everything she was, everything she wanted, all her regrets and longings were loosed in that one perfect moment, and he responded.

Ace wrapped his arms about her and held her tight. He covered her mouth with his and deepened the kiss, taking control, giving her what she wanted and