Page 58 of Rami

Ivy’s fingers moved lightly up and down his back, and the sensation was like a deep tissue massage after such an intense orgasm.

When her nails toyed lazily with his scalp, goosebumps prickled his flesh. He could lie with her forever. Her touch was like balm on a burn, like a hot bath after a stressful day—Ivy was sheer paradise.

He’d never been a praying man. Never really expected golden gates to open for him at the end of his life...

But Ivy was all that and more.

Her hand caught his jaw and steered his lips to hers. She kissed him gently, her mouth sensually teasing his, making him aware that this was the most perfect moment he’d ever experienced. She licked his bottom lip. The act didn’t feel sexually charged but soft and, hell, loving.

And then, she pulled away. He groaned with the need to deepen the kiss but knew he’d already wrecked her little pussy for the night.

“Be right back,” he said. He rolled off the lounger and quickly disposed of the condom inside. He came back outside in a dry pair of briefs and with a blanket and a warm, damp cloth.

Getting back on the chair, he waited while she cleaned herself then tossed the blanket over them. He lay on his back and Ivy curled against his side. Her knee dragged up onto his thigh and her hand settled in the valley of his chest. Her breathing was steady and relaxed.

The cool night air surrounded them but beneath the blanket, their bodies generated enough heat. “You warm?” he asked, just to make sure.

“Mmm,” she mumbled sleepily.

He tucked her closer and brushed his lips over her temple. “Sleep.” As he said the word, he drifted off.

Buzz, buzz, buzz

Rami’s head twitched. His brain identified the sound but at the same time rejected it. How long had he been asleep? The still-dark sky indicated not long at all.

Buzz, buzz, buzz

Shit. He snapped open his eyes and peeled away from Ivy’s warm, snuggly form. After scooping up his phone from the cement, he quickly crossed the patio and opened the slider. “Yeah?” he answered.

Pressing the cool device to his ear, he rubbed his eyes against the glow of the kitchen’s undermount lighting. Their supper dishes were abandoned on the table, and the white stone countertop was covered with the mess they’d made preparing their meal. His plans to clean up had been interrupted by Ivy’s decision to strip down to her underwear.

He hated leaving a mess for the morning.

“Dammit. Why didn’t you answer?” August’s voice rang with annoyance. “I called a few minutes ago. Thought they already got a bullet in your head.”

“Still kickin’. What’s up?”

“You need to get out of there now. The cartel guys have left their motel and are heading in your direction. You’ve got fifteen minutes. Tops.”

Sonofabitch.

“’Kay.”

“Where you gonna take her?” Defeat clung to August’s words. He didn’t have to spell out where his mind was going.

This was getting exhausting. They didn’t have the manpower to go up against the cartel. Running was the only way to keep Ivy alive, but they couldn’t keep doing that.

At some point the cartel would catch up.

That wasn’t a situation he could afford to put Ivy in.

He pinched the bridge of his nose, ignoring the headache blooming at his temples. He’d already been working on a loose plan. Before he’d fallen asleep on the chaise longue, a loose plan had entered his mind. One that didn’t bode well for him but was necessary nonetheless.

“I’ve got a plan. Let me get packed. Meet me at the point and we’ll discuss in person.” The “point” was their emergency meeting spot—a small lookout on the outskirts of Seattle.

“All right. Taschen’s still stationed in the neighborhood. I’ll tell him to follow you when he spots your vehicle.”

“Sounds good.” Rami disconnected and made his way back onto the deck. Lead forming in his stomach, he paused over Ivy’s sleeping form for a heartbeat. The moonlight bathed her pale skin. Her eyelashes were dark crescents resting on her cheeks. Her lips were full and relaxed, slightly inflamed from his love bites.

---