“You’re terrible!”
“That’s what they tell me.”
They snickered as quietly as they could, trying not to draw too much attention to themselves. Blaze was pretty funny when he wanted to be, a little nutty. So at odds with his Dom persona, especially the powerful master of last night, yet it endeared him to her even more.
She leaned into his shoulder and they fell silent for a while, the mood turning quiet. Reflective. Michael’s condition dominated her thoughts, and she sensed Blaze was thinking about him as well. Despite Dr. McKay’s grave prediction, he’d survived the night — just barely — and was still hanging on when she and Blaze had boarded the plane.
“Thinking about Michael?” he asked quietly.
“Yeah, he hasn’t been far from my mind for more than five minutes at a time.”
“Mine, too.”
She squeezed his hand tightly. “He’s going to make it. He has to, or SHADO would never be the same.”
“Neither would Bastian.”
“What do you think happened between them?” she asked, peering up at him.
“Bastian wouldn’t say. He didn’t even admit it was Michael who broke his heart, but I’m pretty sure that’s who he was talking about. If I had to take a guess, I’d say Michael marrying Maggie had something to do with the estrangement.”
“And Michael being straight.”
“Or in denial.”
“Could be,” she admitted. “I’m just glad he pulled through the surgery. Maybe now they’ll have a chance to really reconcile.”
“I hope so.” He paused for a few seconds. “Have you heard anything about that federal agent who helped you escape Dietz?”
“J.C.’s fine. He called before we left, and he’s recuperating at home now.”
“You two really bonded in a short time, didn’t you?” A tinge of jealousy colored his words.
“Yes, but you have nothing to worry about, honey,” she said seriously. “He has his life and I have mine. We crossed paths for a time, but that’s all there will be.”
“I can’t say I’m sorry to hear it, though I’ll always be grateful to him for looking out for my baby.”
“I can’t believe he fooled Dietz for a second into thinking he was dirty.”
“Well, Dietz’s ego is pretty big. He probably never thought anyone could infiltrate his nasty group.”
“He’s about to be proven wrong. Twice.”
“Damned right.” He smiled and gave her a sweet kiss.
The rest of the flight passed in companionable quiet and sporadic conversation interspersed with reading a magazine and looking out the window. Funny, with Blaze beside her she wasn’t nearly as nervous about flying. It was as though since the man was so invincible in her eyes, nothing bad would dare happen to him, and to her by association. Silly, but it kept her calm.
Despite his comforting presence, the plane being brought in for a safe landing gave her a familiar rush of relief. She’d taken on a hunk of hurtling metal held together with spit and rivets, and cheated death once more.
They collected their bags and walked through the terminal, as casually as any couple in D.C. for a visit. Innocuous. Throughout the long night, in between getting updates on Michael, she’d made certain their choice of travel clothing would blend them into the background. Jeans and muted colors for their shirts and jackets. Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and Blaze’s was loose on his shoulders.
Glancing at him, her throat closed a bit, the place between her thighs heating even though it had been mere hours since their session. There was only so much she could do to make this sexy-as-hell man fade into the scenery. She might be a master costume and makeup artist, but she wasn’t a miracle worker. Short of altering his face with stage makeup to render him ugly, there was no way to hide his beauty. And this assignment called for an attractive couple.
She was a novice when it came to performing undercover rather than simply preparing an agent to do so, but she managed not to search the lot for Ozzie and Willis. They had arrived first to retrieve the surveillance van Michael had arranged for them, and were here somewhere, watching and listening. They’d never be too far away to come running if absolutely necessary, and only if their cover was blown.
It gave her peace of mind and at the same time was a source of embarrassment. With their electronic listening technology, backed up by the minicams she’d sewn into Blaze’s and her clothing, they’d see and hear
If Ozzie thought to make her the butt of his jokes for the next few years, she’d fix his wagon real quick.
In long-term parking, they located the black Mercedes Michael had also provided as part of their cover. Once away from the airport, they became Mr. and Mrs. John Chase, well-off socialites who’d just moved to the area outside D.C. and who were looking for a new D/s club.
Which would take them to the Velvet Underground. Tonight.
Blaze loaded their luggage in the trunk and they were off, following directions to a McMansion in a nice outlying suburb. The idea of staying in a hotel had been nixed, partly because of the privacy this assignment would require but mostly to ensure they had a real address should one of their targets get suspicious and check.
When they pulled into the drive a half hour later, her lover whistled through his teeth. “Dang, I’m glad we’re not footing the bill.” He glanced over at her. “I don’t do badly for myself, but even if I worked until I’m seventy and saved every penny, I’d never be able to afford living like this. Does that bother you?”
“Of course not.” She frowned. “Why would you ask me such a stupid question? I won’t deny this is nice, but a home is what’s on the inside.”
He winked. “I knew it. One of the many reasons we’re perfect for each other.”
“I think so, too,” she said, warmth spreading through her.
Blaze carried the two heavy suitcases full of clothing, leaving her with the two lighter duffels filled with makeup and wigs. On the front porch, he set down a suitcase, dug for his keys, and found the right one.
In the foyer, they paused at the marble entry and stared in awe. White columns, arches, and vaulted ceilings soared, while a zillion windows filled the interior with light. By contrast, the furniture was darker, perhaps walnut, with fabric in shades of red and gold.
“I wouldn’t be comfortable living like this all the time, but it’s cool to pretend, just for a while,” she admitted.
“I’ll say.” Leaning into her, he nibbled her ear. “What do you say we check out the master bedroom?”
“I like the way you think… sir.”
Dropping the luggage, he grabbed her hand. “I’ll come back and get these!”
She giggled as he dragged her up the wide staircase and dashed to each doorway, looking for the right room. Finding it, he pulled her inside and took her in his arms, delivering a blistering kiss.
“God, I’ve been wanting you ever since you nixed joining the mile-high club. My cock is so hard I could pole vault. Feel.” He guided her hand to the pole in question, proving his point.
“Poor baby,” she crooned. “What can I do to make it all better?”
“Strip, fast.” Grabbing the edge of his jacket, he held an innocent-looking button to his lips. “Go for a long walk, you two perverts.”
They made short work of their clothing, and Blaze hung their bugged jackets in the closet for good measure. He pulled her over to the king-sized bed and fell backward, bringing her down on top of him. Straddling his hips, she leaned over and kissed him slow and deep, loving how his erection rode the crack of her rear. Somehow, just kissing, being naked on top of him, seemed as intimate as actually making love.
An idea formed, and she gazed down at him. “You said you used to be a sub.”
He tiled his head. “Yep. I wasn’t a natural, but it did have its rewards.”
“What did you like best as a sub? The actual sex, I mean.”
Pausing, he thought about that. “I didn’t like being topped by a man, but I loved being dominated by a strong woman, letting her do what she wanted with my body.”
“What are you thinking, baby?” he asked curiously.
