Page 46 of Smoke and Mirrors

But it is mine, and mine only to tell.

And I’ve chosen to share that with him.

I grab his face with both of my hands drawing it back up, desperately needing his lips on mine, feeling like I can’t breathe without him.

He complies willingly, kissing me back with matching enthusiasm and need. “Lily,” he rumbles before thrusting his tongue into my mouth again.

I suck on it, sulking when he draws it away.

A squeal shoots from my mouth as he picks me up. Hands palming my ass cheeks as he carries me across the room to his sofa, which might I add, is annoyingly nicer than mine.

“Just so you know,” he murmurs, before dumping me on my back and settling in between my legs. “You can trust me, too.”

I laugh, and Kace flashes me a grin that makes me melt. “Good to know.”

He dips his head, his mouth moving down between my breasts. My lips fall open and unconsciously I lift my chest, encouraging him to continue. His hands grasp the top of my tank top and bra at the same time, ripping it down exposing my nipples to the air. They’re already pebbled in delight and anticipation. Kace takes one between his teeth, eliciting a loud moan from my mouth.

A vibration against my leg startles me, and I jump. Kace curses, hanging his head as he holds himself over me with such little effort. The vibration continues, and my lust-filled brain starts to realize what it is—his phone.

He looks up at me beneath a heavy brow. “I gotta get that, Lily. I have a meeting.”

I swallow, my high floating down, and the now-cold air sweeping across my naked breasts sends a wave of goosebumps over me. I nod, rushing to cover myself as Kace moves back, allowing me some space.

When his phone starts to vibrate again, he snatches it from his pocket and holds it to his ear, his eyes never leaving me. “I’m coming, dammit,” he snaps, his words full of venom for the person on the other end. Kace scrubs his hand through his hair and steps toward me. He reaches out, cupping my face in his palm. “I want to talk more later,” he says, his gaze stern and serious and leaving no room for argument.

A thrill shoots through me, and I nod. “Okay.”

He dips his body, brushing his lips across mine in a kiss that promises more.

But later.

I snatch my bag off the floor, and he follows me out the door.

“Later,” he says once more as he moves off down the hall.

I nod, but he’s already gone, leaving my body buzzing and my head swirling. I try to calm my breathing, but it’s hard, my heart still racing in excitement.

Maybe I was wrong.

Now that we had the truth and trust between us, maybe we could see where things go.

Maybe.

Chapter Fourteen

KACE

I’m making my way back to my apartment after the meeting about Cavaleri. Mom tore me a new one about leaving my post when I should have been protecting him. I took it, I deserved it. I’d let my team down and put them in danger because of this unexplainable need to protect Lily.

God, Lily.

The fire between us that had been smoldering before was now completely alight.

I know she’s still wary. My job isn’t for the faint of heart. It takes strength, determination, and above all else, understanding that what we do is for the better. It’s something that not a lot of people can wrap their heads around and the reason that none of the Seven have partners or families at home waiting for them.

How do you love someone who can so easily take another person’s life?

It scars your soul, it haunts your dreams. We live in the shadows with little contact with the outside world, and that’s our burden to hold. But what keeps us going is the fact that we are stubborn and hard-headed and refuse to let the bad guys win. We aren’t ever recognized for our efforts, but seeing people walk the streets freely, smiling, laughing, that’s thanks enough. I jog up the stairway to my apartment eager to find Lily.

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