Page 36 of Operation Heartbeat

He ran his hand down her spine, raising more tingles in his wake. When he skimmed a fingertip under the curve of her buttock, her mind splintered.

Then he followed the line of her swimsuit, moving slowly up to her hip. A shudder of desire ripped through her.

She wanted this man—badly.

A buzzing noise like a pesky fly filled her ears. She raised a hand to swat it away and suddenly realized that something was vibrating between her and Con.

He ripped his mouth away. The gleam in his eyes slowly faded like a candle being carried down a long hallway and then snuffed out.

His phone was buzzing.

Releasing his grip on her, he stepped back to gain more distance. He grabbed for his phone and snapped it to his ear. When he answered, “Con,” the syllable held a grating edge.

“You’re sure?” he asked the speaker on the other end.

Sophie dragged in a steadying breath. Should she stay? Go?

Definitely go.

While he spoke in monosyllables, she hurried to the edge of the pool and retrieved her abandoned coverup. She was just about to slip through the glass doors leading into the room when Con’s words floated to her.

“Count us in. Copy.” He ended the call, but she continued into their room.

“Sophie, come back here.”

Why did that sound like she had done something wrong? She spun around and nearly tripped because he stood so close.

He reached across her and pulled the door shut. “We need to talk.”

She raked all ten of her fingers through her hair. “There’s nothing to say, Con. It was just a-a…moment. We don’t need to hash out—”

He broke across her. “It’s not about the kiss, Sophie. We have orders. For tonight.”

She blinked up at him. Wasn’t about the kiss? Who could think about anythingbutthe kiss?

“We’re going out tonight, Sophie. I hope you brought a nice dress.”

* * * * *

Even that prissy black swimsuit that came up to Sophie’s neck somehow manage to look sexy on her.

Dammit, Con’s cock still thudded with the heated blood in his veins. He swiped his tongue across his lips and tasted her. He was going to come unhinged if he didn’t stop thinking about getting her into his bed.

Without a wall of pillows between them.

Without a stitch of clothing between them.

After she scraped her fingers through her damp hair, it looked even sexier. Tousled in a way that made him wonder how she would look after she came.

Fuck.

He cleared his throat with a forceful gust. “There’s a party.”

“We’re going to a party?” Her expression was skeptical but her eyes were luminous with the same light he’d seen right before he lost his mind and kissed her.

“Yeah. Diplomats, politicians and a lot of wealthy businessmen will be there.”

“I have a dress.”

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