“No,” I panted and ran my hands through my hair, giving him a good show. My breasts bounced around as I grew closer to my bliss.
Oh, so close…
Whoosh!
John somehow was now on top and was pumping himself into me at a maddening speed. I screamed and bucked, and just as I was about to find that place inside that let all my worries fade away like mist on a lake, he leaned in and spoke.
“There’s nothing I love more about you than when you’re wild with need.”
His hips flicked hard, and I burst upward like a confetti popper, colors exploding in my head.
I had no idea when I came down from my high, or when morning decided to show itself, but all that mattered was that I woke to John Black wrapped around me like a warm hug. I snuggled in and went back to sleep.
I vaguely remembered the bed dipping and some movement in the bathroom, but I was just too tired to pry my eyes open.
When I woke for the second time that morning, John was gone, and the urge to throw myself back into my work was strong. For the next four days, I hibernated in my Tin House, desperately going through everything over and over. I needed to figure it out; I needed to find the link that hovered just out of reach.
How were the cartel able to figure out Blackstone’s movements when they were speaking in code? How the hell did they know what the codes meant? I was exhausted and knew I needed a break soon. I stood and put my hands on my hips and leaned back, trying to alleviate the ache in my spine.
I hadn’t seen John or the guys much, as they were closeted with Frank being debriefed on the mission and going through every detail, as I was.
Savannah poked her head in the door and held up a bottle of red. “Dinner’s in ten, and this time don’t miss it. You’ve been hiding away in here way too long. Besides, I have a bottle of Hess here with your name on it.”
“You had me at bottle.” I laughed. “I’ll be right up.” For the fourth or fifth time this week, I closed the file that had haunted me since we’d discovered the cartel knew the codes.
The smell of warm bread hit my nose as a Marcus Martini was shoved in my hand. The guys were standing around with drinks, a typical Friday evening at Shadows.
“You’ve been MIA lately.” I turned my attention to Mark.
“I could say the same for you.”
“Meh, it’s all part of the job.” I wanted to ask him how it was going, but Liam raced by with a water gun, and Mark was soon hard on his heels. Shrieks of laughter came from the kitchen as the two of them ran through. Daniel and Sue had their heads together and were whispering over something that had Sue giggling with excitement.
As I went to join them, a loud shriek came from the kitchen. Savannah ran into the room and turned on the TV. She shouted for everyone to come and listen. Cole stood behind her and rested his hands on her shoulders as they looked at the TV. We all tuned in to what the newscaster was saying.
Helen Kitley, from Channel 5 News, pointed over her shoulder at the activity that was taking place behind her as she spoke. “At 3:46 p.m. today, the Montana Federal Prison broke out in a riot. Four inmates have been killed.” As the pictures flashed up on the screen, the entire room went still. “Denton Barlow, who was well known to have strong ties with the Mexican cartel, was among those killed.” I quickly glanced up and noticed a look pass between Cole and John.
“Oh, my God, is it really over?” Savannah couldn’t contain her excitement, and Cole spun her around and pulled her into his arms as a champagne bottle popped. I couldn’t help but smile. John had shared part of Savi’s story with me, so I knew this was big.
“If there was ever a time to celebrate…” Daniel laughed as he poured the bubbly into several glasses, and the dinner that followed was filled with laughter and good old-fashioned storytelling.
“There you are.” Savannah found me on the back deck looking out over the frosty lake, and her eyes literally sparkled with happiness. It seemed as though a weight had been lifted from her shoulders. “We voted, and we are