“Once you have that, you’ll go after him?” he asked.
“Maybe. If we can take it to the authorities. So far we haven’t been able to pin anything on him. The woman he used to file the lawsuit won’t talk. The loan to Lexi, while ruthless, isn’t illegal. When someone tipped off the D.A. about the money laundering at the foundation, it was untraceable. This is our first real chance to get hard evidence. At least I hope it is. Part of me thinks it’s another dead end. That it will just lead to some poor kid in a basement somewhere, working on a contract without having ever met Garth.”
Mitch had to fight to keep from squirming. He wasn’t used to being the bad guy. He’d thought Skye deserved whatever happened, but she didn’t deserve this.
“How can I help?” he asked before he could stop himself. Help? He was supposed to be on Garth’s side.
She looked surprised. “I thought you hated me.”
“I don’t hate you.”
“Then you should be in Hollywood making movies because you had me convinced.”
He didn’t want to talk about that, either. “I had a lot on my mind.”
“You called me names. You acted like a total jerk.”
“I was drunk.”
“It wasn’t the one time.”
He didn’t know what to say. His anger, always so accessible, seemed to have faded away. “You need to give me a break. I have a lot going on.”
She looked away from him and sighed. “It doesn’t matter. You can hate me if you want. I probably deserve it.”
He didn’t want to hear her say that. This wasn’t the Skye he knew. His Skye gave back as good as she got. She stood up to him and flung milk shakes at him. She called him names, took him on and came back for another round.
“I’ll help you with Garth,” he said, willing to commit to anything to see a little fire in her.
She sat up. “Really? You mean it? Jed’s having one of his cocktail parties in a couple of days and Garth is going to be there. Would you come, too? You could keep an eye on him, maybe size him up. I’d like your take on the situation.”
Mitch bit back an oath. He was a lousy spy to begin with-he wouldn’t be much of a double agent. Besides, he was having his doubts about his agreement with Garth.
A cocktail party at Glory’s Gate? He couldn’t imagine a worse night. But he couldn’t refuse Skye. Not when she looked so hopeful.
“I’ll be there.”
“Really?”
She smiled at him as if he’d just handed her the sun, then threw her arms around him.
“Izzy and I are in the most ridiculous fight,” she murmured, her face pressed into his shoulder. “Lexi is busy with Cruz and I’ve been feeling really alone in all this. It means so much that I can count on you.”
His self-worth meter hit an all-time low. Unfamiliar guilt made him feel like an eight-year-old who just knocked a baby bird out of a nest.
“Skye, I don’t know if I can find out anything.”
She pulled back enough to stare into his eyes. “I know. No pressure, I promise. It’s enough to know that you’re willing to try. Despite everything, I’ve always known I could trust you.”
He held in a groan. Not knowing what else to do, he leaned in and kissed her.
MITCH’S MOUTH was warm and familiar. Skye told herself that giving in to him wasn’t a smart idea. That she would probably regret it later, but right now she couldn’t seem to care. With all the confusion in her life, it felt good to have something solid around and today that was Mitch.
She shifted closer, wanting to feel all of him, even as she parted her mouth to admit him.
She’d expected the kiss to be enticing-she’d always loved kissing Mitch. She hadn’t expected the wave of heat that crashed through her, making it tough to breathe.
Wanting exploded from nowhere. It was as if her insecurities, her fears and all her worries faded into the background. The only thing that mattered this second was never letting go.
He wrapped his arms around her, as if to hold her in place. If she’d been able to speak, she would have told him she wasn’t going anywhere. Not while they were touching and every nerve in her body danced in anticipation.
His mouth claimed hers with a certainty that made her want to give in more. She ran her hands across his shoulders, feeling his strength beneath the soft cotton of his shirt. His tongue played with hers, each stroke sending need rippling through her.
It was like the last time, she thought hazily. Desperate and fast, but without the anger. This time there was only passion.
He drew back a little and kissed his way along her jaw. She went to work on the buttons holding her blouse together. She found herself fumbling a little as he licked his way down her neck.
Sensual shivers caused her skin to pucker. Between her legs she felt heat and swelling. Every part of her wanted to be with him again, to feel him inside of her. She ached for what only he could give her.
She pulled her blouse free of her slacks. He’d already reached behind her and unfastened her bra. The second it came off, he leaned in and took her right nipple in his mouth.
The warm dampness of his mouth made her sigh. The flick of his tongue against her sensitive skin made her gasp. She wanted to take off the rest of her clothes, but she could only hang on as he sucked deeply, pulling her into his mouth.
Fire shot through her, burning down to her belly, making her squirm. Now, she thought frantically. She needed him now.
She didn’t remember it being like this-fast and uncontrolled. Making love with Mitch had always been about connecting. There had been pleasure, but they were just as intent on being together. Now, she wanted what he could do to her and what she could do to him. She wanted him hard, filling her, losing control. She wanted him desperate.
There was no time to analyze the change. Even as he moved to her other breast, she reached for the belt at his waist and worked it free. Then his hands were unfastening her slacks.
She stood so she could push them, and her bikini panties, down. She stepped out of her clothes, completely naked. His gaze roamed her body, and desire darkened his eyes. But instead of unzipping his jeans, he slouched down on the sofa and drew her closer.
“Kneel,” he told her.
She looked from him to the couch, understanding dawning. The shy part of her hesitated, while the rest of her sent up a quiet cheer. Before she could pick a side, he reached out and slid a single finger between her legs. He moved through her waiting heat, finding that one spot and rubbing it.
“Now,” he whispered.
She knelt on the sofa, her knees on either side of his hips. She grabbed the back of the couch for support while he shifted until he could press his mouth against the very center of her. His hands rubbed her bare legs, his thumbs moving closer and closer and then she felt his tongue lightly stroke her most sensitive spot.
She gasped at the contact, then closed her eyes. He licked her slowly, thoroughly, as if rediscovering everything she liked. Pleasurable sensations poured through her, making her groan.
There was nothing for her to do but let him have his way with her. She arched her body as he licked her over and over again, moving just fast enough to make it impossible for her to catch her breath.
She’d never done anything like this before, she thought hazily. Not in this position, not with her body so exposed. He had total control, moving faster, bringing her closer, then slowing down until she was panting with need.
She got lost in all of the various sensations, the feel of gentle stroking, the scrape of his teeth and the play of his lips on her body. Tension filled her, pushing her toward the end. Her body quivered and clenched, anticipating. She rocked slightly, holding in the need to beg.
And through it all he kept pushing her toward her release, closer and closer.
She clutched the sofa back and pressed down, needing more. There was sound and movement beneath her, but she didn’t know what and didn’t care.
