Page 43 of Shadow Undercover

“These are the same pain meds Sam gave you on the jet. You’ll be able to function if necessary.”

“All right. Good night, Trace.”

His gaze dropped to her lips. Nope, couldn’t resist a real taste. He slowly lowered his head, giving her the opportunity to stop him. She didn’t. Okay, then. He assumed he had a green light.

Trace brushed his lips against hers, enticing her into a deeper kiss one step at a time until she was the one that initiated the contact he craved. The taste and texture of her mouth wiped all memories of other kisses from his mind. No one else’s kiss mattered. Just hers.

He wrapped his arms around her and settled Bridget against his chest. One kiss followed another until he lifted his head for much needed air. Although pushing his control limits, Trace took a few minutes to hold Bridget, pressing an occasional gentle kiss to her temple as their breathing returned to a normal rate.

He made himself release her. “Let me walk you to your door.”

She smiled, her lips swollen from his kisses. “You might have to carry me. You have serious skills, Trace.”

He tapped her nose. “I’m trying to be good. You aren’t helping.”

“Just being honest.”

“We have spectacular chemistry.” Trace stopped at the threshold of her room. He inclined his head to the interior. “Get some rest. I’ll be downstairs.”

“You can sleep in the guest room.”

He smiled and shook his head. “No, sweetheart, I can’t. You’re too much of a temptation.”

“If something happens, will you wake me?”

“Of course. Sleep well, Bridget. Dream of me.” If he slept at all, he would dream of her.

Back on the first floor, Ben turned from the front window. The lights were off. “Everything okay?”

“We cleaned up Ruth’s room. Bridget’s going to bed.”

“Think she’ll sleep?”

“Not well.”

With a nod, Ben shifted his gaze to watch out the front windows again. “Sleep, Trace. I’ll wake you if there’s trouble.”

Trace stretched out on the couch and dropped into a light sleep. He was aware of his friend making rounds on the first floor, looking out various windows to check for changes outside the house as well as testing locks on the windows and doors.

Ninety minutes after Trace drifted off, Ben said, “Trace.”

He sat up, fully alert. “Problem?”

“Company.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Standing beside Ben, Trace scanned the street and houses. A moving shadow caught Trace’s eye. The shadow crouched behind a car parked on the street.

He frowned. One of Hugo’s flunkies? He doubted Hugo would skulk around in the dark. He’d strode to a door, pick the lock, and let himself inside.

Although Bridget hoped the watcher was Hugo, it didn’t make sense for him to be here when the woman he wanted was in his possession. Unless he wanted something else.

Bridget? His brow furrowed. Why? Maybe Ruth wasn’t cooperating and Hugo needed Bridget as leverage to force his prize to do what he wanted.

“What do you want to do?” Ben asked.

“Wait for him to come to us. If he breaks in, we’ll nab him and find out what he knows, if anything.”

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