Page 108 of Dash

Dash

Days later, I stood before the mirror in Thena’s room, wearingmy crisply pressed trousers and dress shirt, fastening on the watch she’d gifted me the day I graduated from college, the one I always wore. The adrenaline flowing through my veins kept me in review cycle. I rehashed all my precautions for tonight. Thena’s plan was brilliant but also dangerous. So many moving parts. So many worries.

In the last few days, I’d moved heaven and earth to make this happen in the safest possible way, but my team, Thena, and I understood the great risks we were undertaking. The plan was now in motion. All my assets were in place. There was no going back.

Thena strolled out of the en-suite, wrapped in her towel and nothing else, too sexy for her own good. Moments earlier, we’d made love in the shower, twice. Just thinking about it made me wanna go again.

“Well, hello, Titan.” Her gaze lingered over the bulge in my pants before it lifted to my face. “But even titans need recovery time.” Her naughty grin-and-wink didn’t help my condition. “I’m tempted, but we have a dinner to attend.”

“You’re responsible for my constant state of lust,” I accused as I buttoned my shirt. “You’re too beautiful and seductive for a mere mortal like me to resist.”

“You need to work on your impulse control.” She went into her walk-in closet and called out. “I’ve got a present for you.”

“It’s your birthday, not mine.” I strapped my holster under my shoulder, checked the mag, and then slid the Glock in place. “It’s you who’ll be getting gifts tonight.”

“Maybe, if we get some answers.” Her voice came muffled. “Give me a second here.”

After putting on my tie and adjusting the knot, I slid on my suit’s black jacket. Tugging on my cuffs, I adjusted the sleeves to display the cufflinks. The image of a civilized manstared back at me in the mirror. Although he looked the part, he wasn’t all of me. My gentleman had never fully succeeded at concealing my warrior.

Thena strutted out of the closet, completely naked, and hiding something behind her back.

I cocked my eyebrows. “I’m beginning to doubt you’re gonna make it to dinner.”

“We have to,” she reminded me. “As my birthday gift, I want you to do something special for me.”

“Count on it.” I made an effort not to pat my pocket where I’d stowed my gift for her.

“I’d like for you to have this handy tonight.” She whipped out the object she’d been hiding and lifted it toward me.

“My cane.” Surprised, I tested its weight in my hand. “It looks new.”

“New shaft.” Her smile illuminated her eyes. “I had it fixed for you. I loaded with your favorite dagger just now.”

“Thena…” Emotion squeezed my throat. It wasn’t lost on me that she was worried about my safety and had just added another weapon to my inventory tonight.

“I know you’ve been working out hard so that you don’t have to rely on your cane anymore, but it goes well with your cufflinks and you look so hot with it.” Her pupils contracted and so did her nipples. “It’s the way you carry it. You look so elegant, so distinguished. It makes me sizzle and burn in all the right places.”

“In that case, I’ll make it my accessory of choice.” Holding the cane between my hands, I slung it over her head, pulled it, and pressed Thena to me. “Kiss?”

“Just one,” she cautioned. “I’ve got to get ready.”

I pressed my lips to her mouth and, drinking her flavors, got lost in the feel of her. I could make one kiss last a long time. Wonderful things could happen within the span of a single kiss.I could be highly creative during one amazing kiss.

“Dash?” she breathed against my lips. “Promise me something?”

“Yes,” I mumbled against her mouth.

“Please.” Her eyes rounded. “Be careful.”

Chapter Thirty

Dash

Thena’s birthday dinner was in full swing. She sat at the head of the table, looking amazing, wearing a winter-white halter dress. Its elegant collar covered the marks I’d been leaving at her request. I smiled inside.

With the memories of our shower together still flashing through my head, and her taste still fresh in my mouth, I could’ve called myself a happy man tonight, if I hadn’t been in the middle of a complex op and stuck in caveman protector mode.

I glanced at my watch. The miniature comms jammed in my right ear remained silent. Nothing yet. I fought my impatience, cut a piece of the beef Wellington on my plate, and, chewing the tender steak, took in the room once more.

---