Page 7 of Unspoken Passions

She huffed a bit, causing her wispy bangs to float up, then down again. “Mick, me and my friends can dress up in red dresses, just like the other women being sold. Calling it sex trafficking is a nice way to say these women are sexual slaves. And the sooner you and your team catch the people doing this, the sooner those women can get help to recover from the nightmare that is their existence now.” She moved closer, folding her hands together. “So we’re doing it. We talked about it last weekend. We all ordered red dresses and we’re going to hit the bars, dressed up like the kidnapped women.”

“And you think that’s going to reveal their hiding place?” he snapped, trying to recall all of the women in her ladies group that might participate. “It’s not going to work. It’s only going to get you hurt, or worse!”

“Our presence isn’t going to help you find the place where the women are being held, but it’s going to reveal every man who knows what the red dress means.” She stepped even closer. Ella was only about a foot away now. “Think about it, Mick. If we can get one or two of the patrons of the sex trafficking operation to speak with us, maybe at ‘The Old Goat’ or one of the other bars around town, then you can question the man. If some guy recognizes the red dress and approaches us, then you’ll know that he’s patronized the…house or bordello or whatever the nest is where the kidnappers are keeping the women.”

Mick stared at her, stunned by her logic. She was right. Her idea was basically going backwards to find the culprits. They’d been trying to find the building where the women were being held. But if they found a man who had been there, someone who could give them information, then they might have more clues as to where the women were being held. It was…freaking brilliant, actually.

“Admit it, I’m right.” She grinned, proud of herself.

He couldn’t stop himself this time. He reached out, swinging her around so that she was pinned by the counter behind her as he stepped forward, pressing his hips to hers. “I think it’s a great idea, Ella. The problem is that you and your friends are not going to do it.”

“Why not?” she asked, her body shifting slightly, her voice breathy. “If it’s a good idea, then why won’t you support our plan?”

It took an enormous amount of effort to concentrate. “Because we don’t put civilians in dangerous situations,” he told her, hearing his voice and noticing the husky quality. He also noticed her hands touching his chest. It was the first time her sweet fingers had ever touched his bare skin and he liked it. Too much!

She licked her lips and he immediately thought of a variety of things she could do with that tongue. “We’re here and we’re ready to help.”

“No,” he replied firmly, inching forward slightly so that her fingers pressed more firmly against his skin. “It’s a good idea. And I appreciate you bringing this to me. But we’ll bring in some agents to dress up and lure the men.”

She leaned closer, her breasts taunting him. She wasn’t looking at him. Ella was staring at his chest. More specifically, she was staring at her fingers, which were delicately tracing his collarbone. Was she trying to drive him mad?

“But won’t it take a few days, maybe even a week, to get female agents here and up to speed?”

“Yes.”

She looked up at him and he could see the need smoldering in her eyes, desire that matched his own. “We’re here right now, Mick.” She leaned forward, her warm breath washing over his cheek. “And we’re willing to do this.”

He growled low, losing the fight against his control. “Ella, what the hell are you doing?”

Her eyes widened and those damned fingers stopped moving. They stilled on his skin and he didn’t like that. He wanted her touching him, everywhere!

“I’m…um…” she started to pull back, but he was too far gone. He lifted her up onto the countertop. That brought them face to face. But that wasn’t good enough. He shifted his hips so that her knees spread wide and he stepped between them, then yanked her forward so that her core was pressing against his stomach.

“You’re what?” he prompted, then slid his hands up her back. “Tell me to stop, Ella.”

She trembled, then wrapped her legs around his waist. “I’ve waited so long for you to touch me like this, Mick. There’s not a chance in hell that I’m going to ask you to stop.”

His surprise at her words broke through the lust. “What the hell do you mean?”

She shifted again, gasping when that nub brushed against his stomach muscles. “I’ve…!”

He lowered his hands, tilting her hips so that she was pressed more perfectly against him. “You’ve what?” he rasped.

“I’ve…wanted…this for so long!” she whispered, then gasped again when he moved against her.

“I’m not supposed to want you like this,” he whispered, watching her carefully as his hands skimmed along her back. “You’re Dan’s baby sister.”

That angered her and she shoved him away. He was so stunned, he let her. Then she hopped down off of the counter and started pacing the expanse of his kitchen.

“What the hell is going on here?” he demanded, his fingers tightening into fists to keep himself from pulling her back into his arms.

“You!” she snapped, poking at his bare chest. “You’re so wrapped up in trying to protect me, seeing me only as Dan’s little sister that you can’t see that I’ve changed, can’t recognize that I’m a grown woman now, with wants and desires. I’m not a baby!” she hissed, poking him in the chest again. “I’m not a child and I’m no one’s baby sister! So if you want me, then you’re going to have to get over this obsession you have with me being your best friend’s little sister!” She stalked towards the front door, but spun around, her eyes shimmering with tears. “Mick, I know that you were Dan’s best friend. And I know that you are incredibly loyal to the people you love. But…” she hiccupped as tears threatened. “But Dan’s gone. He died years ago and I want to move on! I want to have a life. I want to get married and have babies and grow old.” She swiped at a tear and took a deep breath. “I want to do that with you. You’re the only man who has ever made me feel this way.”

Ella was shocked by the words that tumbled from her lips. But she couldn’t seem to stop them. Plus, Mick was standing there looking amazing and delicious and so yummy, it made her stomach ache to look at him. Moments ago, Ella had been so close to finally knowing what it would be like to be kissed by Mick! She’d dreamed about that possibility for so many years, loving him from afar, knowing that she could never experience that magical moment with him.

But then he’d almost kissed her! He’d been touching her and talking to her and…oh, dear heaven, she’d been so close!

“Ella,” he started again, but he still looked confused.

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