Page 126 of Stealth Mission

She shrugs innocently.

I shove my fist in my mouth and turn away as she dresses.

“I kind of like torturing you.”

The little she-devil. “You’ll pay for that, my dear. Get your pretty little ass ready. Scout is here. Vik called him as back up when the guy got away. And Vik’s team just pulled in.”

“I’m dressed.”

I turn and swallow roughly.

She looks lethal. No, she is lethal. “You look good in black.”

She glances down. “Am I going to be part of some kind of night op?”

“I’m not leaving you here. Do you have a black jacket and boots?”

She leaps into action, disappearing into her closet. Something bumps around. A few seconds later a boot flies out, landing with a thud. Another boot follows, this one landing on my bare foot.

When she hurries out of the closet, the arm of her jacket is flopping around as she tries to find the hole.

“Here, let me.” I help her in and kiss her on the brow.

“What about you? You don’t have black clothing and where are your boots?”

“Scout’s got gear for me and grease paint for your face too.”

“Makeup?”

“Black and green stuff. Now, let’s roll.”

There’s a spark in her pretty golden eyes.

“Roger that.” She shrugs and lifts her hands in a cute expression. “Or whatever.”

Too damned adorable.

Shaking my head, I loop my arm around her neck. “Woman. You’re just trouble. You look sexy as fuck. And talking like that…”

I growl against the crown of her head. “We need to play dress up. You can be the thief, I’ll be the cop.”

The thief of my damned heart.

Marianna’s laugh is light and surprising given the situation. She falls into step beside me, but then she pulls me to a stop, all playfulness gone.

“You don’t think Vik really saw me naked do you?” She cringes and shudders. “That’s kind of freaking me out. You’re the only man I want to see me without clothes on.”

I’m more than good with that.

I capture her chin and kiss her. It’s not a long kiss, but it’s full of possession.

Yes, I’m a caveman.

Not that I have ever been before. But this is… different.

I pull back and drag my thumb across her lower lip, my focus on the smooth, damp texture. “Only me, babe. I’m too big. I shielded you.”

Her expression softens. “You did go all wolverine-mode.”

---