Torn - Cynthia Eden Page 0,98

so they could all make plans for their departure tomorrow morning.

Time to head back to the reality that waited in Atlanta.

“Gabe also spoke very highly of you, Dr. Palmer,” Asher told her with a nod. His voice had . . . softened when he talked to her. Gentled.

She caught the narrowing of Wade’s eyes behind him.

“He said you’re the best when it comes to the dead. But then, I’d already heard about your reputation.”

“Thank you.”

He offered his hand to her. Right. She should shake it. Her hand was immediately swallowed by his bigger grip. She figured that Asher was close to Wade’s size, maybe an inch taller, and built along the same hard, dangerous lines.

Wade moved behind her. His body brushed against hers.

“Got it,” Asher murmured. He immediately let her go. “Sorry I wasn’t any help on this case. Didn’t realize shit was going down so fast. I was pissing away time at the airport when I could’ve been giving backup to you.” He gave a hard nod. “Don’t worry. I won’t be making that mistake again.”

“Wade handled it,” Victoria said. She glanced back at him. “He did what was necessary.”

“Doesn’t mean it was easy,” Asher responded. “I know. Next time, man, you can count on me.”

She focused her attention on Asher once more. “Why did you decide to join LOST?” She got why Gabe had hired him. Extra muscle could only be a good thing. Especially the way their cases were going lately, but . . .

“Not just me,” Asher murmured. “My twin sister will be working for the team, too. Gabe hired her first. I was just the tagalong. Story of our lives. ”

She was surprised.

“Ana was the best bounty hunter in the Southeast,” he said, more than a hint of pride entering his voice as he rolled back his shoulders. “When it comes to tracking, she’s the best.”

“I look forward to meeting her,” Victoria said, and she meant just that. She wasn’t worried any longer, not terrified that someone new would see the secrets she carried. Maybe—­finally—­she’d put her past behind her.

“She’ll be there when we land.” He gave them a brisk nod. “So enjoy your sleep. We’ll be taking off at 0600 tomorrow.”

Right. Sounded good to her.

Asher headed for the door. When it closed behind him, Victoria was aware of the silence.

And of Wade.

She took off her glasses and smoothed a lock of hair behind her ear.

“You don’t move as much anymore.”

She blinked at those words, not understanding what he meant.

“It used to seem like you were all energy, always moving, always . . . going.”

“Maybe I don’t want to go anymore.” She faced him fully. “Maybe I’m exactly where I want to be now.” And he was right—­her nervous energy had faded. She wasn’t on edge, worried about a discovery of what she’d done.

She was . . .

I’m me.

Her hand lifted and stroked over his cheek. His five o’clock shadow pricked her palm. “I’m so sorry that you had to pull the trigger.”

His head turned and he pressed a hard kiss to her hand. “For you, I’d do it again, without even hesitating.”

She knew that. But she didn’t want him carrying that burden on his soul. If there had been another way . . .

His gaze slid back to her. “I need you, Viki.”

Primal. Honest. Deep.

She nodded. “I need you, too.” They were alone. The darkness had come. There would be no holding back. So she took his hand and she led him to the bedroom. She stripped in front of him, saw him toss his clothes away.

Maybe this should have been the time for gentle touches. Pretty promises. Sweet words.

But . . . it wasn’t.

He put her on the bed, spread her legs and put his mouth on her. His touch was rough, hard, and he feasted. Wild and hot and hard, and she came—­erupting with a sharp cry.

Fast. Desperate—­that was what she felt.

Blood and death . . . no more. Life. Wade.

His cock was heavy and long, full, and she reached for him eagerly, stroking and pumping his erect length. Then he was positioning his cock at the entrance to her body. He stood at the edge of the bed, and his hands wrapped around her hips, lifting her up.

He sank into her, driving deep in that first plunge. Her hands fisted around the sheets.

He withdrew. Plunged again. Again.

Deeper. Harder.

Her back arched off the bed. The only sounds she could hear—­the panting of her breath, the wild thunder of her heartbeat.

Again and again.

Deeper,