Charmed: A Masters and Mercenar - Lexi Blake Page 0,32

You think it will be harder to manage the mission, but we’re going to be side by side every single day and every night. Do you really think we can stay away from each other?”

“We have to. Once we get there, I have to concentrate on the job.”

“Not every minute of the day. That’s why you have backup. No one can keep that kind of concentration up. You will need to relax.” He loomed over her. “That’s where I come in.”

His words were hypnotic, almost as mesmerizing as his presence. “You’ll help me relax?”

He was staring at her like she was something precious, like he couldn’t take his eyes off her. “I’ll play things any way you want when you’re working, but you get a couple of hours a day when I’m in charge. Of course, you know you’re still in charge deep down, but during that time, my goal will be to get you out of your head, to force you to let go of all the stress that comes with being the person you are. Strong. Brave. In control.”

It was everything she’d ever wanted. “And what do you get out of it?”

“I get to concentrate on you,” he said. “I get to let go of everything that makes me tense and crazy and focus on something that makes me happy. You.”

He was too much. How was she supposed to believe him? Or should she go with the fantasy of him since in two weeks she would be back in London? What could it truly hurt to sleep with him for a couple of nights? Staying close to him was good for their cover, and if she was in the same room with him, why shouldn’t they touch each other?

“I’m not getting serious about you,” she explained. “My life is in London.” What there was of it. “I’m going to be here for a few weeks and then I’ll be back home.”

Back to real life, which didn’t include a hot cowboy god of a Dom. She would be back to watching all her friends have kids and settle down, to worrying about her friends who were in trouble and didn’t want to be found.

A slow smile spread across his face, like he knew he’d won the battle. “I might make you want to stay.”

She shook her head. Like she’d thought before, he was too much. She would fall so hard for him, and it would disintegrate at some point in time. She couldn’t handle it again. “I won’t. I’ll get on a plane to London and I’ll go back to my world. But maybe a few weeks in yours wouldn’t be terrible.”

“It wouldn’t be terrible at all,” he said, his fingers tangling in her hair. His eyes suddenly went hard, but in an incredibly sexy “I’m taking charge” way. “I think you should relax right now.”

There were reasons for her to not do that at the moment. “We’ve got a PI looking for us.”

“And if he shows up, what will he find, Nina? Will he find us plotting how to bring down a spy, or will he find us doing what engaged couples most like to engage in?”

The man knew how to make sense, but he was forgetting a few things. “And the saleslady?”

“Will be happy to let me stay in here for the rest of the day because she’s smart and she knows I’m going to tell her we’ll take it all at the end of this.” Those fingers tightened, pulling at her scalp in a perfectly delicious way. “Do you agree that I’m in charge when it’s time to relax?”

She could fight him, but she didn’t want to. Not in any way. She knew she was bargaining but she couldn’t help herself. Perhaps if she went into the relationship knowing it wouldn’t last, she wouldn’t get hurt in the end. “You’re in charge.”

“Damn straight I am. Now turn around.”

“Am I going to try anything else on?”

“I told you we’ll take them all. As for trying something on, yeah, you’re going to try me on. I think I’ll fit just fine.”

Her whole body lit up at the dark tone his voice had taken. He’d used a form of this tone the night before, but this time he’d deepened his voice. Maybe it was unconscious, but it was obvious he’d gone into top space, and that made her skin sing in anticipation. She turned and he had the dress off her, allowing her to step out of it before