Strategic Maneuvers - Jemma Westbrook Page 0,34
tight, holding her in place as his lips left hers.
Mona’s lids were heavy as she lifted them, barely managing to get them open halfway before giving up.
The blue of his eyes was penetrating.
Consuming.
The hand in her hair immediately released, his fingers sliding free to curve against the side of her face as his mouth came to hers again. The hand on her body slid to the back of her waist.
Now his lips were different. Softer.
Less demanding.
Less what she knew him to be.
And in an instant she snapped out of the haze Pierce’s kiss dropped her into. The fog of desire and realization split, revealing a moment that now felt artificial.
Fake.
Mona pulled away, her eyes easily opening to meet his.
What she saw there bolstered her, dug up a power she’d struggled to find.
She dropped her hands from his face but didn’t step away. “I win.”
Victory thrummed through her veins, chasing the thrill she’d felt seconds before.
Pierce’s brows came together in confusion. “I’m sorry?”
He had no idea how sorry he was about to be.
“The bet you made last night.” Mona smiled. “I win.”
Pierce blinked, his lack of understanding making her feel taller.
Stronger.
This man who controlled everything and everyone around him no longer controlled her.
Her stomach no longer clenched at the thought of his presence.
Her throat no longer went tight at the smell of his skin.
The sound of his voice.
All because she knew the truth.
Pierce was scared of her.
****
“I KNEW YOU could do it.” Heidi sat in one of the chairs in Eva’s room, legs tucked up under her. “Is he going to let you go out?”
Mona shrugged. “Don’t know.”
She didn’t care either. “I just told him I won and then walked out.”
It was the first time she hadn’t wanted to shrink down under the weight of his gaze. In fact, the feel of it on her back as she walked away fed her newfound sense of power.
Lodged it deeper.
“Did you hear from Vincent?” Mona leaned to peek at the array of snacks spread across the coffee table. Brock was on night duty tonight so they were all collected in Eva’s suite, celebrating a productive day.
“You know I did.” Heidi grinned over her wine glass. “I wish I could of been there to see his face when he realized we know everything he knows.”
They’d discovered the address GHOST found and passed it along to Shawn so he could figure out the logistics of keeping an eye on the townhouse in downtown Fairbanks.
They wouldn’t find anything there. It was one more recently-vacated spot they’d been two seconds too late on, but at least it would make them feel like they were doing something.
“You think Vincent knows we found the address?” Eva plopped onto the couch next to Mona.
Heidi shrugged. “It doesn’t seem like it.”
“We’ll find out soon because I guarantee they’re trying to figure out where in the hell I’ve been.” Heidi hunkered lower in her seat.
“Will they be able to figure it out?” Mona picked out a slice of French bread and smeared on some warm Brie before relaxing back.
She hadn’t felt relaxed in forever. So long it felt almost foreign to be able to eat easily without the twisting of her belly reminding her of all the things she needed to worry about.
To feel guilty about.
“For sure they’ll be able to figure it out, but it might take them a day or two. I was real careful.” Heidi sipped at her wine, watching Mona over the glass. “So how was it?”
“How was what?” She knew damn well what Heidi was asking about.
Heidi scoffed, immediately seeing through the false confusion. “You know exactly what I mean.”
“It was fine.” It was more than fine.
Until it wasn’t.
But even then it was something.
Something important.
“Fine? You’re trying to convince me kissing Pierce was just fine?” Heidi pointed at her. “You’re a liar and a thief of joy.”
“How am I a thief of joy?” Mona looked to Eva for help, but her friend shrugged.
“I’ve been waiting forever for Pierce to finally do something and now you won’t even tell me if his tongue was in your mouth.”
“You haven’t been here forever.” Mona started to drink her own wine but stopped. “And what do you mean you’ve been waiting?”
“The chairs. The peacocking. The way he always sits on your desk when he comes into our office.” Heidi shook her head as she emptied her glass. “And don’t get me started on him taking a bullet for you.”
“He would have done that for anyone.” There wasn’t a doubt in her