Page 20 of Belgian Betrayal

She didn’t have to say it, but he knew. She’d promised a dying woman to get that disk into safe hands. She wouldn’t die without giving it her best shot.

“I didn’t want my career and life choices to harm you.” Her lips twisted. “I thought that if I stayed away, my troubles wouldn’t find you.” Her eyes filled. “But when I saw what they did to my parents...” Tears trickled down her cheeks. “I had to warn you,” she said, choking on her words.

Fearghas cupped her cheeks and brushed her tears away with his thumbs. “I’m glad you did.”

“Me, too.” She let out a short laugh. “Instead of wondering if you’re all right, I’ll know. I can keep an eye on you and watch your back.” Catya stared up at him, her eyes shiny with tears, her luscious lips parted slightly.

“And I’ll have your back,” he murmured. Unable to resist a second longer, he lowered his head and claimed her mouth in a kiss that started slow and tenuous. He didn’t want to take what she wasn’t willing to give.

Her hands slid up his chest and wound behind his neck, bringing him closer. The kiss changed from slow and tentative to fiery and passionate.

She opened to him, her tongue meeting his in a hungry caress that left him breathless. Heat rushed through his body, reminding him of the nights they’d spent in each other’s arms. In Moscow when he’d first met her, then in Athens when he’d begun to believe they could have a life together. He hadn’t been able to imagine living without her.

Until she’d disappeared.

Though his blood rushed through him, urging him to take the kiss to the next level, he raised his head and stared down at her. “You need rest.”

She shook her head. “I need you.” Catya rose on her toes and kissed him again, her hands sliding down his chest and lower to the hem of the sweatshirt.

With every ounce of control he could muster, he broke the kiss, gripped her arms and set her at arm’s length. “I didn’t come just to make love to you.”

“I know,” she said. “But, since you’re here...” Her hand slid beneath the shirt and pressed against his skin.

“You need to rest,” he insisted, his control slipping.

“I’m too keyed up.” Her fingers moved lower, gripped the zipper of the trousers and slid it downward. “I need the release only you can give me,” she whispered.

When she took him in her hands, all control vanished.

Back in her arms was where he’d wanted to be from the time she’d walked out of his life to the moment he’d heard her voice on the phone. And every moment for the rest of his life. If that meant he’d have a shorter life, he’d take his chances.

* * *

Catya had spent the past months trying to forget how good it had felt to be with Fearghas, wrapped securely in his embrace.

In his arms, she could almost forget how many monsters she’d killed and the number of people who wanted her dead because she’d killed.

With him, she was someone who could be loved and cherished—a hot-blooded woman with needs and desires, not a cold-blooded killer.

When Fearghas touched her, her pulse beat faster, her core heated and she burned with an all-consuming passion. She could get lost in him and forget the world around her.

The image of him falling from the bridge replayed in her mind, stealing her breath away.

She’d walked away from him, but he’d always been in her thoughts, though he’d remained safe in Athens.

Now he was here, holding her like he might never let go. She didn’t want him to let go.

He’d almost died that night.

She had to get closer, feel his skin against hers and know they were still alive. This moment was real, not a product of her imagination.

Catya tore at his clothes, desperate to be free of anything between them.

He took over and shed what was left while she struggled with her boots.

Once naked, he bent, brushed her hands aside and untied the laces she’d managed to knot, easing the boots from her feet and the socks beneath. He rose and helped her out of her trousers and then lifted her shirt up and over her head, his eyes flaring when he realized she hadn’t worn a bra.

Heat built low in her belly, coiling at her core. For a long moment, she feasted her hungry gaze on this man who’d shown her the real woman inside herself.

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