was murdered for it before he could realize his dream.”
“Lily, I’m so sorry,” he said, reaching for her hand.
She took it, curling her fingers around his. “So am I. I lie awake nights fantasizing about all the different ways there are to make traitors pay, men like the ones who snuffed his wonderful light. Is that wrong?”
“No.” He pulled her close. “In your position, I’d likely go one giant step further. With no remorse.”
“I’m glad you understand.”
She sounded so sad, he wanted only to erase her pain. She’d shared a part of herself he suspected she’d never divulged before, and he felt honored. Closer to her than to anyone since the day he’d met Liam, and still…
This was different. These burgeoning emotions inside him, the connection to the woman at his side. He couldn’t name them, didn’t care to.
But in his own way, he’d show her.
“Let me make love to you,” he said.
Her breath tickled his ear. “Please.”
She’d given him a gift. Now he’d give her one in return.
Something he’d given no other woman.
Ten
Watching Jude shed his jeans and shirt, Lily trembled inside. A profound bond had been forged between them. Not the one he imagined, but a bond all the same.
She’d had to explain to him about her father, allow him the opportunity to understand her motivations even if he’d never know the truth about why she needed absolution.
What part of him greed and evil hadn’t destroyed understood that she’d brave hell itself to eliminate men like those who’d murdered Brandon Vale.
Men like Jude.
Hard to believe; he was so beautiful. Muscles rippled under taut skin as he tossed his jeans aside, his cock hard and leaking. Green eyes glittered with desire, his strong jaw clenched. She couldn’t help but respond to him, crave him inside her. Her sex burned, nipples ached.
“I need you,” she heard herself say. “Now.”
“Your wish…”
She took his wrist and guided him to her. He pushed her onto her back and unzipped her skirt, pulled it down. Brushed her slick sex, ever so lightly.
“Sweet. Already hot for me.”
Next, he helped her off with her blouse, plucked each of her nipples to points. He grazed one, then the other, sucking while raking his fingers through her long black hair.
One palm skimmed her belly, delved between her thighs. He stroked, spread her dewy moisture over her sex, rubbed her clit. Sent electric sparks zipping to her nerve endings as she opened her legs wider, inviting more.
His lips lowered to hers in a kiss so gentle it brought tears to her eyes. As they kissed, his fingers parted her flesh, dipped inside, stroked in and out, preparing her.
“I want to feel you with nothing between us,” he whispered into her mouth. “No barriers, just our skin. I’m clean-I swear. Liam’s the only one…”
“I’m healthy, too. Jude,
He crawled over her, positioned himself between her legs. His cock probed her opening, pushed into her heat. Deeper, every bump and ridge massaging her inner walls. So good, so right.
When he was fully seated, he braced his arms on either side of her head, cradling her close. Holding her as though she was precious to him, he began to move. She wrapped her legs around his waist and lifted her hips to feel each stroke to the fullest.
His back muscles flexed and rolled under her hands. His auburn hair curtained his face, full lips parted. Driving deeper, he tilted his head back, throat exposed. She couldn’t help but bite and kiss him there, tease the vulnerable area with teeth and tongue.
She reveled in him. His movements, his musky male scent. This wasn’t the wild, explosive fucking of before, but something far more meaningful.
“Mine,” he murmured, burying his face in her hair. “Mine.”
She’d never been so complete. Cherished.
This man was truly making love to her.
Thrusting in slow, sure rhythm, he drove them to the peak. Overwhelmed her like a spring storm, replenishing a barren desert. Strong and true, his passion carrying her with him over the edge.
“Oh, baby, yes,” he moaned, big body shuddering. “Yes.”
She arched into him, his name on her lips, clinging tight. Never wanting to let him go.
They came down together, Jude stroking her hair, kissing every inch of her face, petting and loving. He was such an affectionate man, in bed and out.
But only because he didn’t recall being any different.
Slipping out of her, he rolled to his back and gathered her into his arms. She settled her head on his chest, listening to his heartbeat. He kissed her head, voice low and rumbly. Protective.
“Don’t even think of going anywhere.”
“Right now?”
“Or tomorrow, or the next day.”
She swallowed hard. “No worries there.”
“Good.” He let out a big yawn. “God, I’m tired already.”
“You’re probably still recovering from being sick. Do you still hurt?”
“Some, but not too bad.”
She bit her lip, pondering her next question. Per Dietz’s orders, she wasn’t supposed to ask, or do anything to jog his memory. Now she wondered.
“Jude… tell me about the nightmares. About the killing,” she said softly.
He went still under her. “Why?”
“Because I care about you.” She paused, caressing his chest. “Do you think they’re based in fact? Maybe you were, like, working for the government or something.” Oh, that was pushing it. Dietz would be furious.
“I don’t know what to believe,” he said tersely. “And I don’t want to talk about this.”
Well, that went about like she’d expected.
“Fair enough. I’m sorry. Why don’t you take a nap?” she suggested.
“Will you stay?”
“I have work to do, but yes. For a while.”
“All right. Lily?”
“All right. Lily?”
“Hmm?”
“I’m glad you came into my life,” he said. “I just thought you should know.”
Did the guilt never end? “Thank you. I-I’m glad, too.”
He hugged her close, but in moments, his breathing evened out into sleep. The drug still doing its work. When she was sure he was out, she left his embrace, went to the bathroom, and washed up. God, she could smell his cum and wanted to rub it all over herself. Wallow in it like a cat. Instead, she finished and began to dress.
She refused to think of what had just transpired between them. The depth of emotion, of their connection. It was all for nothing, meant nothing in the end.
She’d best not forget that.
Leaving him, she fetched the thumb drive from her closet and went down to the office. She closed the door and sat at her desk, wiggling the mouse to wake up her computer.
Inserting the drive, she waited for the box to pop up containing the file and got busy. Or tried.
The program was a maze to her. To an agent experienced in breaking code, however, this one would be child’s play.
Did she dare call someone to help with this? If so, whom could she trust?
There were a couple of agents she’d trust with her life. The problem was, she wasn’t willing to risk theirs. Nor could she take a gamble on saving the worm to her computer’s hard drive, or making copies.
