Page 22 of Twister

Slipping his hand around the back of her neck, he opened his mouth wider over hers, pushed his tongue deeper, and showed her how much he wanted her, pressing tighter against her. She was trembling ever so slightly, and that was all he needed to know.

He broke off the kiss, taking his time breathing her in and letting his mouth rest on hers before he finally pulled away.

“Ah, that was…uh, that was…damn.”

She was stumbling over her words, and he loved every minute of her flustered stammering. “Good?”

“Uh, that word is pale to what I was thinking.”

She closed her eyes, then opened them, catching him behind the neck. She pulled him to her, covering his mouth in a hot, deep kiss, and she opened to him, her mouth moving against his with an urgent hunger. Twister lifted her against him, and he caught her behind the knee. With one twisting motion, his hard heat was flush against her. Grasping her buttocks, he thrust against her again and again, a low groan wrenched from him as she moved with him, riding him, riding the hard, thick, ridge jammed against her. But that wasn’t enough either.

Making incoherent sounds against his mouth, Sadie twisted free, and a violent shudder coursed through him when he felt herhands fumble with the snap and zipper on his pants. The instant she touched his hard, throbbing dick, he groaned out her name and let go of her, desperate to rid them both of the barrier of clothes.

The sound of his cell chiming brought him out of the sensual madness. He jerked and groaned at the same time she did. She let him go, and he rearranged his clothes.

“Damn the Navy,” she whispered.

He couldn’t agree with her more.

7

This wasthe most tortuous relationship she’d ever started under probably the most stressful circumstances. This man was her protector. He was a SEAL, the kind of man she’d watched do amazing, heroic, and heart-melting stuff. She was sure she wasn’t starstruck. She had seen him at his rawest, almost helpless, fighting with all he had. How could she not want him?

And how she wanted him, especially now that she’d had her hands on him. They walked side by side in a haze of sexual tension and unrelenting desire. She was shocked at herself. She wasn’t much of a sexual person, really. Her thoughts had been tame in the past, especially with the men she’d been with and the ones she’d dated. She hadn’t ever been bowled over…but Twister, God, the man made her crazy to get naked with him, now. The need was urgent, yet she couldn’t follow through on it.

They had to eat breakfast, a meal she never skipped. Her nutrition, workouts, and overall general fitness were key and played major roles in her ability to do her job. She was dedicated to that—nothing had changed there—but to just have enough time to explore Shane “Twister” Reeves would be heavenly.She’d discovered his last name when Easy had called him by his last name in the gym.

As a package, he was just simply irresistible.

When they stepped into the elevator, she couldn’t help touching him, running her hand over his forearm. He responded by clasping her hand briefly.

So far, she’d only had such brief moments with him, and a couple of those had been fraught with tension—the meeting on the plane, their forced proximity while trapped, and that brief session at the gym, then there were the kisses, each one burned into her brain. So, this extended contact was both welcome and exciting. She’d get a little bit of time to talk to him and get to know him a little. That thought sent a frisson of heat through her. She wanted to know all about him…everything.

Twister studied her for a moment. A small frown appeared as the elevator slowly moved to the first floor. “So, who’s this David guy that was giving you a hard time at the gym?” he asked gruffly.

She shot him a startled look. Typical male protective mode. She couldn’t fault him for that. It was an innate male thing, and he was here to guard her and look out for her safety. It was clear David didn’t like her. The feeling was mutual, and she would have to work with him, so she completely understood Twister’s concern.

Everything associated with her relationship with Dylan rose up like a specter, one she couldn’t seem to shed. Now that he was dead, it was tragic and terrible, but still a relief that caused a dose of guilt. Now she was faced with explaining to Twister what had happened, and that was really the last thing she wanted to talk about with him.

She answered with a shake of her head through clenched teeth. “David is not worth mentioning.”

It was true that SEALs didn’t give up. “Your body language and tone tell me differently. I insist, Sadie. I don’t like the way he spoke to you or his overall vibe.” His hand slipped to the small of her back, and she gasped softly at his touch. It was a supportive move, but his tone brooked no disagreement. Clearly, she was a little out of her element. She really didn’t think she was much to fight over, but Dylan and David had fought, and it had affected their relationship. “I know how to classify people quickly and efficiently. If he could get away with it, I think he would do you harm.” That measured look in his eyes sent warning chills down her spine. “After what we have shared, I would take offense if you didn’t trust me, babe. I don’t give that kind of trust to anyone without it being earned, but I was in a tight spot, and you came through for me. Let me come through for you.” Had she always thought that David wanted to hurt her and the only thing holding him back was the fact that he loved diving so much? Had she resisted letting those thoughts into her conscious mind?

Sadie heaved a deep sigh. “So, a silver tongue goes with all the other stuff you have going. I’m getting the feeling you don’t play fair, do you?”

“Charm has never been my strong suit. I’m more of a barbarian with a battle ax than I am an assassin with daggers in the dark. I say what it is and how I feel about it. There’s no sugar coating reality. Life isn’t a lollipop.”

“That saying deserves a T-shirt,” she said with a snort of laughter, but he didn’t so much as crack a smile. “You’re dead serious?”

“When it comes to the high stakes of your well-being or life, fuck yeah. I’ll rip out his lungs and heart before I let anything happen to you. How’s that for reality?”

“No sugar coating there,” she murmured, her breath a bit trapped in her lungs at the way he made her feel so special and valued.

“I’m one hundred percent committed. The least you can do is give me the information I need so I can button down this situation.”

He sounded so tough and official, and why did that freaking melt her heart all over again? “Button down?”

“Don’t mock me, woman. I’m not going to let this go. In fact, I’m reporting my concerns to my LT.”

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