her world. It made no sense, but it didn’t have to. Instincts older than time had him shifting closer, his chest barely brushing hers. Using his thumb, he tilted her head back slightly and deepened the kiss.
The sound she made in the back of her throat had chill bumps racing down his arms. Made him wonder what kind of sounds she’d make if they were both naked with his face buried between her legs pleasuring her.
Her hands pressed against his abs and slid up his chest. He silently cursed the layers of clothing separating him from her touch. When she applied the lightest of pressure, he lifted his head.
Her eyes were slightly glazed over, the green deeper than normal. When she licked her lips, his balls clenched. “We shouldn’t do this.” The husky tone of her voice sank into the very marrow of his bones. Some women would play games, try to seduce information out of him, or use the attraction to distract him. He wasn’t sure it would even occur to her to do such a thing. This was not a woman who relied on her feminine wiles.
“I know.” He dipped down and pressed his mouth to hers again. They both groaned and pulled back at the same time. “I can’t seem to help myself.” The truth of that should bother him more than it did.
“Try.” When she pushed a bit harder, he immediately took a step back. There were many sins that could be laid at his feet, but forcing his attention on a woman would never be one of them.
“Should I apologize?” Would she admit to the attraction or deny it?
She pushed a thin braid away from her face. “Would you mean it?”
Since lying wasn’t an option, he shook his head. “No.”
“Didn’t think so.” She dropped her hands and gave a rueful laugh. “Not sure I’d believe you if you said you did.” Her hands dropped back to her sides. “Our … connection is already complicated enough without muddying the waters. We have to work together. You have your agenda and I have mine.”
Something neither of them could afford to forget. “We’re helping each other,” he reminded her. “We both get what we want.” And maybe when the mission was over, they could extend that to the bedroom.
“And then you’ll be gone.” Before he could speak, she held up her hand, silencing him. “You know it’s true. You have a life out there somewhere, wherever you came from. I have no idea where that is and am better off not knowing, for both our sakes.” She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling. “I’ve never been off Zaxus. I have a brother to worry about. Not to mention other complications.”
Reman was one of those complications, but he wouldn’t be a problem for her by the time Zaxe left. He’d make sure of it.
“I’m not my mother. I won’t lower my guard, sleep with a man, and then pine for him for the rest of my life.” Her expression hardened. “I have too much respect for myself. You want an easy lay, there’s a house on the edge of the city. Everyone pretends it’s not there, but everyone knows about it. Go there. Those women could use the money.”
With a toss of her hair, she started past him. He caught her arm, making sure not to hold too tightly. “You’re not your mother. You’re strong and capable. That doesn’t mean you have to be alone.”
What was he doing? He didn’t know her, not really. And he had nothing to offer, no home of his own. Sure, he had money, amassed painstakingly over the years he’d been forced to work as an assassin, but that was all he had. By the hells of Melton, he couldn’t even give her his real name. Not now that he truly understood the full significance. It would only put her in more danger.
And that was something he had to talk to his sister about. That conversation would have to wait until he was somewhere secure. His communicator was encrypted, but he wasn’t about to take any chances. He’d spent too many years protecting his sister to do anything that might jeopardize her safety and happiness, no matter how small the odds of discovery.
“You offering to stick around?” When he hesitated, she gave him a sad smile. “Didn’t think so.” She pulled her arm away, went into her room, and shut the door, the quiet click more powerful than a laser cannon.