Page 79 of The Pakhan

The fact she had a new phone was a good point although I wouldn’t put anything past a guy who could shift IP addresses from country to country. Hmm… Much like my lovely guest could do. “My guess is the kid is more powerful than either one of us can comprehend. Tomorrow, I want you to work with my computer experts. Perhaps you can shed some light onto where he might be.” I took that opportunity to move toward the bookshelf. All I’d needed to do was to touch the side and it started to close.

Yes, I had some cover given the darkness, but my enchanting guest was a formidable woman capable of discovering anything she wanted if she set her mind to it.

“And if we find him?”

“Then I bring him in whether he likes it or not. You’ll be out of it at that point,” I told her, turning around and walking back slowly. If my actions had sent up red flags of any kind, I would detect them. “I’m going to check with some other sources, which could mean I’ll be gone for the better portion of the day. You can trust the men who arrive to take you to the facility where my computer experts perform their magic. I think you’ll like working with them.”

“Because they’re nerdy like me?”

At least she could tease and still make me laugh. “Something like that. You’re all brilliant and you’ll be a great addition to the team.”

“Okay. I’ll work with them.”

I lifted her chin and peered into her eyes. Something was bothering her, and not just the attacks. “You are telling me everything about Joshua, his whereabouts and what happened. Yes?”

“Why would I lie to you? I know what would happen.”

“Good girl.” Yes, she was definitely hiding something and that troubled me almost as much as everything else.

She continued rubbing and while it felt damn good, I also sensed she was tenser than before. Never had I wanted to simply be with a woman to the point I needed Caroline at this moment. She balanced me, brought me down to earth.

I shifted around to face her, cupping both sides of her face. As I peered down, the trickle of moonlight coming in through the window highlighted such a luminescent shimmer on her face. “You are so beautiful.”

“You say that like you’re never going to see me again.”

“No, baby. Like I’m ready to set explosives throughout the city to keep you safe.”

Longing for another taste of her, I captured her mouth, simply holding our heated lips in place so we could both enjoy the tenderness, and a little romance for a woman who deserved so much more.

She rolled her hands over my shoulders, squeezing both as she moaned into the kiss. I certainly would never have believed I could enjoy something so simple so much before this. It was intoxicating just being around her, the scent of the mango shower gel she’d used just as delightful as whatever cheap perfume she had.

I made a mental note to buy her some French perfume, which she more than deserved. As the moment of intimacy continued, I finally swept my tongue inside, enjoying dominating her tongue. She didn’t fight me, something new and different even if some of her previous behavior had been playful and nothing else.

Taking her had seemed so easy.

Keeping her would be something else, no matter the claim I’d laid.

When I pulled our lips apart, she sighed and clutched my shirt, her long eyelashes skimming across her cheeks in a way that set my body on fire. I nipped her earlobe, delighting in her subtle yet powerful giggle before leading her to the couch.

It was another moment where no words were needed. I simply needed to be reminded that life wasn’t just about business and violence. Even as I sat down on the couch, pulling her with me, her fingers never left my shirt. Having her in my arms was perhaps one of the most comforting things in the world.

As she leaned her head against my chest, I took another deep breath. Why did I have a bad feeling the next few days were going to be critical, not only to my business but to something much more important?

Living…

CHAPTER 20

Caroline

“Say it. Say you’re mine.”

His voice was imploring, the tone igniting the deepest part of me. “I belong to you.”

“Not just for now. Forever.”

“Forever.”

Warmth.

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