Page 11 of Fugitive Flirtation

“Why not?” I ask,but I don’t care about what she says. She can’t deny how much she wants me. Her voice is filled with longing.

“Because… because… it’s complicated,” she stammers, taking a step back.

I take a deep breath and try to regain my composure. “You’re right.”

Alicia nods, her eyes filled with relief. “Thank you,” she says softly.

We stand there for a moment, the tension between us still thick in the air. Then, without warning, Alicia grabs my hand and pulls me toward the sofa.

“Why do you have to be such a gentleman?” she asks with a mischievous grin.

That’s when I decide to let my desire for her overwhelm any rational thoughts.

Alicia pushes me onto the bed, her lips finding mine once again. I wrap my arms around her, pulling her on top of me.

Our clothes come off in a frenzy, and soon we’re tangled on top of the sheets, our bodies pressed together. Alicia’s skin is soft and warm, and I can’t get enough of her. I explore every inch of her body, my hands tracing the curves of her hips and the softness of her breasts. My fingers dance across her skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.

Alicia moans softly as I kiss her neck, my lips trailing down to her collarbone. She arches her back, pressing herself closer to me as I continue my exploration. I can feel her desire building, and I know I won’t be able to hold back much longer. Her eyes lock onto mine, and for a moment, we just stare at each other, the only sound our heavy breathing.

With a growl, I roll us over, pinning Alicia beneath me. She looks up at me with hooded eyes, her lips parted in anticipation. I enter her slowly, savoring the feeling of our bodies connected. The warmth of her skin envelops me, and I feel like I’m home.

Alicia gasps as I move, her hips rising to meet mine. We find a rhythm, our bodies moving in perfect harmony. I can feel the tension building inside me, and I know I’m close to the edge. Alicia’s hands grasp my shoulders, her nails digging into my skin as she urges me on.

With one final thrust, I release my pent-up desire, my body shuddering with pleasure. Alicia follows suit, her own orgasm washing over her as she cries out my name. The sound sends shivers down my spine, and I feel my heart racing in my chest.

We lie there for a moment, our bodies entwined as we catch our breath. Then, with a sigh, Alicia rolls over, her back pressed against my chest. I wrap my arms around her, holding her close as we drift off to sleep. The world outside fades away, and all that’s left is the two of us, lost in our own little bubble of bliss.

When I wake up, Alicia is gone. I sit up, my heart racing as I scan the room. Then, I hear the sound of water running in the bathroom. I let out a sigh of relief and lie back down, my mind racing with thoughts of what just happened.

As I lie there, lost in thought, the bathroom door opens. Alicia emerges, a towel wrapped around her body. She smiles at me shyly before climbing back into bed.

I pull her to me, my arms wrapped tightly around her. Right now, all that matters is the feeling of her body pressed against mine.

We both drift off to sleep once again.

8

Itoss and turn, unable to find peace. The gentle rise and fall of Ace’s chest next to me is soothing, but my mind races with a thousand worries.

Ice’s words echo in my head: “We’ll bring you back to justice.” I desperately want to believe they’ll clear my name, but doubt gnaws at me like a relentless parasite. The Blackwells have money, influence, and a vast web of connections. What if they find a way to twist any information Ice’s boss uncovers, turning it against me in their favor?

A heavy weight settles in my chest. I can’t truly trust anyone, not even the charming bounty hunter whose arms make me feel safer than I have in… forever.

I am incredibly drawn to Ace, his disarming smile and unwavering determination to help me. This is the very reason why I have to stay guarded. Feelings can blind you, make you vulnerable to manipulation and betrayal. I’ve seen too much evidence of that. I have now learned that harsh lesson well. Allowing myself to let my guard down, even for a moment, could prove catastrophic. So I lie awake, my thoughts spinning, forcing myself to remain vigilant despite the solace Ace’s presence provides.

Making sure I don’t wake Ace, I slip out of bed and pace around the small room considering my options. I could try to make a break for it, disappear before they have a chance to act. But where would I go? Back to my rental? No one would think of looking for me there.

Or I could stay, play along for now. Let them think they’ve won my trust. No, that won’t work. While under Ace’s watch, I have no way to keep gathering information, to clear my name once and for all.

I don’t want to end up behind bars, my life ruined.

For a second, I stare at the inky darkness shown by the screen and wonder if there’s a way out of this, some angle I’m missing. My eyes drift back to Ace, his features softened in sleep. He seems so calm, so sure everything will turn out all right. He has that sort of trust with his team. I long to have that kind of faith, that certainty. But I’ve watched people get burned. I’ve seen how fickle fate is, how quickly the world can turn against you.

No, I can’t afford to let my guard down, no matter how tempting it might be. I have to stay focused, keep my eyes on the prize: freedom, vindication.

With a sigh, I sink into the chair, almost resigned to another sleepless night when I remember the switch, the one Ice clicked on to kill the alarm.

I can run!

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