dogged him all day and had more than a little to do with his putting off going to see Katrina as long as possible. He might have avoided the errand until tomorrow if he hadn’t answered the phone on his desk just as he was wrapping for the day. Not thinking about much except heading to his temporary quarters for the evening, he picked up the handset.
“Chevalier.”
“Hey, it’s Katrina. Are you coming by to get the equipment you need for the op? Michael said to expect you, and I’m about ready to go home.”
Crap. He hadn’t realized she’d be waiting for him. “I’m sorry, time got away from me. I’ll be there in a couple of minutes.”
“Okay, see you.”
Hanging up, he buried his face in his hands. “Damn. Okay, stop being a pussy and face her like a man. She already knows that you want her as much as you want her lover.” Hell, she’d wanted Bastian, too. Had that changed?
And as a result, seeing her and Michael spending every waking moment together cut twice as deep. After tidying his desk, he shut down his computer and walked out, thinking that a call to his former director was in order. He’d stick it out here until Dietz was caught, and then he’d move back to Virginia or wherever the hell they wanted to send him. Alaska would work.
Or maybe the president would be so pleased, he’d agree to send Bastian overseas as an agent so deep undercover, his real identity would cease to exist. Maybe he’d be like James Bond, breaking hearts all over Europe until he either vanished into a cozy retirement in the Mediterranean or got his ass blown up by the enemy.
Stifling a sigh, he walked into Katrina’s office to find her shutting down for the day, as well. She brightened when she saw him and crossed the few feet to give him a warm hug.
“Hey, stranger.” Pulling back, she studied him. “Haven’t seen much of you in over a week.”
“I’ve been busy protecting the world from heinous criminals.” He shrugged. “You know how it is.”
“Unfortunately, I do. How sad is it that those criminals keep us employed?” Her eyes twinkled.
“Very. You have a couple of gadgets for me?”
“I do.” Scooping them off her desk, she placed them in his outstretched palm. “I don’t have to tell you how these work. I just want to point out that the audio device is disguised as a nipple ring. You can wear either a mesh shirt or a solid one and it won’t interfere with the sound. The camera was trickier, but Emma and I came up with a solution by disguising it as an earring.”
“Neither of my ears is pierced, though.”
“Doesn’t matter. See this? It’s one of those magnetic-button things, no piercing required. The angle won’t be as good as if the camera was fixed on your shirt or somewhere it could point straight on, but it’ll be okay.”
“What about a necklace?”
“Didn’t think of that, but we’ll design something for Friday night. Come to think of it, changing up the accessories will be good. Less suspicious.”
“All right. Guess I’m good to go.”
She hesitated, biting her lip. “Bastian, please be really careful. I haven’t trusted Dietz since the day he accepted the job as Michael’s right hand. He’s evil, not stupid. Whatever we’ve thought of, he’s already there.”
“Gee, thanks,” he deadpanned. “Maybe I should just wear my T-shirt that has the red bull’s-eye on it and stand in the middle of the road.”
“That’s not funny.”
“Agent humor. What can you do?”
She considered him a moment, obviously chewing on something. “Why did Michael originally pass you over for the CEO’s position and give it to Dietz? I’m not the only one who’s baffled by that, either.”
“The truth is, he
“Wait. About the other night—”
“What about it? We’re all adults. You and Michael have a thing, and I get that.” How calm he sounded. Not at all like his guts were being ripped out. “I’ve got no claim on him, or you for that matter, as much as I — Forget it. I have to go.”
She grabbed his hand. “Bastian… I still want you. Do you still want me, too? This is important.” Her earnest expression arrested him, those big blue eyes begging him to be honest. He could fall into them and never emerge.
“I’d give anything to be with you
“What if you could? Would you have both of us?”
What a fucking question. He stared at her, wondering what game she was playing. “You want to know? Fine. Yes, I’d have you both. And I’m getting too old to play for kicks — with you two I’d play for keeps.”
“Then do it.” Stepping close, she cupped his face. Gave him a soft kiss that deepened into something strong and passionate. It didn’t last long, but it shook him to his toes. Awakened his groin. “Put your money where your mouth is. Finish what we started in your office.”
He groaned. “Katrina—”
“What do you have to lose?” She slid a hand to his balls, manipulated them through his pants. Rubbed, stoking his desire.
Everything. He stood to lose it all, but right now he wanted her so badly. “We can’t. You’re with Michael.”
“He and I haven’t set any rules yet. Besides, as long as the other man is you, he won’t mind.” Leaning in, she nibbled on his neck, sending little chills through his body.
“I’m not so sure about that.”
“I am.” She moved on to his ear. “Trust me.”
“I don’t have any protection with me.”
“I do, in my purse,” she said, gesturing to where the handbag sat on the counter behind her desk.
“Oh, shit.” Fire licked at his groin, the flames demanding to be fed. He was screwed. Taking advantage of her victory, she turned and dug in her purse, and triumphantly held up the small packet.
Placing it on the desk, she went to work on his zipper. Flashbacks of the other day in his office teased his brain, shooting little ripples to his eager cock. Bad idea or not, there was no denying that his body craved a replay, but one that ended in satisfaction for both of them.
She opened his pants and his erection sprang free, pointing the way to bliss. When his shaft slipped between her lips, a helpless moan escaped his throat and he threaded his fingers through her soft hair. Urged her to take him deeper.
“That’s it. Suck me,” he rasped. “Harder.”
Grasping the base, she did as he asked, tightening the suction and even using her teeth to lightly scrape the sensitive flesh. He shivered, loving the slight edge of danger, being so firmly under her control. Because there was no doubt that although she was the one on her knees, she was in charge. At the moment.
Just when he couldn’t stand the torment any longer, she pulled off him with an audible pop and reached for the condom. “Ready for me?”
“Do you have to ask?”
Smirking, she tore the package with her teeth. Slowly, she rolled the latex onto his sensitized cock, and he found himself wondering whether this was how it went down between her and Michael at the club. Instead of jealousy that she and Michael were together, the idea heightened his lust, driving it to an almost unbearable level. Bastian not only approved, he longed to be a part of them.
A wave of doubt rose and he squashed it ruthlessly, determined to make the best of his time with Katrina. He wouldn’t ruin it by overthinking their future — or lack thereof.
Helping her to her feet, he crushed his mouth to hers, fingers working on her zipper. Breaking the kiss, he shoved the pants down, undies and all, sliding them to her ankles. Her shoes were in the way and he lifted each foot, yanked them off, then tossed the pants aside. Cupping her face, he gave a bit of rein to the aggression boiling in his blood. He barely recognized his own voice, low and snarly.
“At the club the other night, how did Michael take you?”
