Quickly, he tore open the package and sheathed himself. Moving between her thighs, he positioned his cock at her opening, cupped her bottom and lifted her, and sank into her slick channel.
“Oh! Oh, God, yes,” she cried. “Been too long. Fuck me.”
He started with slow thrusts, angling deep. Watched his rod impale her pussy again and again, until a warning tingle began at the base of his spine and his balls tightened. Wouldn’t be long.
Lowering her bottom, he covered her body with his and gathered her to his chest, wanting this closeness when they came together. The sense of completeness. He fucked her hard and fast, their breaths mingling. Drove them higher.
“Ah, fuck!” he yelled, every muscle locking down as he pumped his load inside her. She clung to his shoulders, riding out the wave, milking his cock. Bathing him with heat.
When the last of their spasms subsided, he collapsed over her, sweaty and panting. And more satisfied than he’d been in months. Maybe ever. “Does this mean you’re giving me another chance?”
She smoothed a finger over his jaw, her expression so tender he could’ve wept. “It means we’re taking things one day at a time. sir,” she added softly.
Oh, God. Did she have any clue what that did to him? He kissed her thoroughly before coming up for air. “Works for me.”
“Now feed me, tough guy. We have a file to study.”
It wasn’t the commitment he’d hoped for, but it was a start. Probably more than he deserved.
But he’d put his foot in the crack of that door and shove it wide open. Come hell or high water.
Four
“You prepared for the grilling we’re gonna get from Michael?” Blaze glanced at Emma as he drove them back to the compound. The hour was early, still dark, and few cars were on the road.
Too friggin’ early considering they’d been up half the night reading and absorbing the information on their case. And exercising her mattress during the other half. “I’m ready.” She rubbed her tired eyes, wishing she’d put on at least a touch of makeup. Her bloodshot eyeballs in her pale face probably looked like two assholes in a snow bank, as her grandma used to say. “I can’t believe one of those guys is a major. This sucks.”
“Look on the bright side — we get hazard pay. You know, in case the major and his buddies get wise and tell Dietz, and they decide we’d look great in cement shoes.” He grinned, apparently not bothered by the prospect.
“You missed your calling as a comedian.”
“I’m a riot at family reunions.”
“You have a family? I thought you were hatched.”
“Now who’s the funny one? I’ll have you know my relatives love me even if they think I’m a bit off. Which, in our crew, is saying a lot.”
“You mean there’s a whole flock of Kellys running around with a glitch in the ol’ gene pool?” she teased.
“Yep. My uncle was the original flower child. Claims he spent a whole summer down in Texas smoking pot with Janis Joplin, and most of us believe him. He’s an aging hippie with a brilliant IQ, still sports a ponytail and wears bell bottoms, and thinks I don’t know where he hides his weed when I visit.”
She couldn’t help but laugh at the picture he’d painted of his uncle. “You’re kidding.”
“No. Scout’s honor.”
“Now I don’t have to wonder where you got a name like Blaze. That is your real name, isn’t it?”
“Yeah. I have my uncle to thank for that, too. He’s one of those cerebral types who believes a name should fit the soul, or some shit.”
“Look on the bright side. You could’ve been stuck with Moon Unit, Dweezil, or Apple.” No mention of his parents. Interesting. But if he didn’t want to talk about them, she wasn’t going to kill the fun mood by bringing up the subject.
“Yeah, our occupations are strange enough. As it is, we boast a moonshiner, a belly dancer, a lion tamer, and a rock star in rehab.”
She snorted. “A lion tamer?”
“Told you, we could found the city of Kooksville.”
“Who’s the rock star? Anyone I’d know?”
“Maybe.” He shrugged. “Ever heard of Ash Kelly?”
“What? Get out!” She gaped at him. “You’re related to
“The same. He’s my cousin — my uncle’s youngest son. We’re pretty close, since we were practically raised together.”
“I can’t believe it,” she breathed. “That’s so cool.”
“One would think so.”
The reserve in his tone pricked her curiosity. “You don’t?”
“I would if he was happy. You might’ve heard or read that he was in a relationship that recently broke up over his career and some scary problems with a former girlfriend. In short, he was devastated, made some bad choices, and is trying to get himself back together.”
“I’m so sorry. I hadn’t heard, but then I’ve been out of touch with a lot of tabloid news lately. I hope he gets back on his feet soon and his issue with the old flame is put behind him. Any chance he and his girlfriend will get back together?”
“Girlfriend
She blinked at him. “Oh. Wow.”
“Exactly. Talk about pressure, someone of his stature struggling to keep it secret. Then the big explosion, and the press gets wind of it after he goes to rehab. He’s still an emotional mess, but he’s doing better, so maybe there’s hope.”
She itched to know the whole story from the beginning, but his tone seemed to close the subject. Perhaps another time. In any case, they’d arrived at the compound, putting a hold on her fascinating journey through the branches of his family tree.
She walked inside with him, navigating the maze to Michael’s office. The man’s secretary wasn’t in at this hour, so they passed her desk. Blaze knocked on the partially open door.
“Come in.”
Their fearless leader looked impeccable in his suit, and not as gaunt as he’d appeared when he first returned to SHADO. Had he gained some weight? She thought so but couldn’t be sure.
“Work agrees with you,” she told him as Blaze shut the door, glancing at the sexy, slender blond man hovering to one side of Michael’s desk. Bastian Chevalier? What was he doing here? “You’re looking better every day.”
“Should’ve returned to the fold sooner,” Michael said, giving her a half smile. “Being here is like being a single parent with several hundred rowdy children to take care of. Keeps my mind off my personal troubles. My friends have helped, too.”
Poor man. She wanted to comfort him but doubted she’d know the right thing to say, even if they were closer. It struck her that she didn’t know how Maggie died, and couldn’t name offhand anyone else who did.
Bastian made a huffing sound. “As if you ever allow anyone close enough to—”
“Sit down,” Michael cut in sharply, directing her and Blaze to take the vacant chairs in front of his desk. “Willis and Osborne will be here any minute.”
Michael waved a hand at Bastian. “Everyone already knows Agent Chevalier,” he said coolly, earning a frown from the man in question. “He’s done me a big favor by agreeing to permanently take the vacated CEO’s position.” The one Dietz had previously held as Michael’s right hand, though no one said so.
“Congratulations,” Blaze said with enthusiasm, rising to briefly shake the man’s hand. “I can’t imagine anyone
