Page 73 of Operation Heartbeat

After they reached the safe house, the men piled out of the vehicle. Sophie climbed out more slowly. In the daylight, the place was actually quite quaint and not nearly as scary as it had been upon their arrival the night before.

The guys headed straight to the kitchen, bantering about who was responsible for fixing breakfast. But Sophie felt the slump of exhaustion and couldn’t care less about food. How could she think about eating when Deniz’s poor wife was still somewhere in captivity?

Con walked into the kitchen, probably expecting her to follow, but she turned the corner and headed for the computer.

She only got a few feet before a hand wrapped around her wrist. Before she glanced over her shoulder, she knew it was Con by the feel of the way his rough skin raised shivers inside her core.

He pulled her to a stop. When she didn’t turn to face him, he moved in front of her and ducked his head to peer into her eyes. Quickly, he moved her into a vacant room.

“You’re not okay.”

She bit down on her lip. What else was there for her to say about the situation?

“It’s been a long day.”

“You haven’t slept enough. Why don’t you—”

She waved a hand. “I’m not tired. I’m going to work on the cryptogram.”

“Sophie.” He quickly closed the door, giving them privacy.

“That woman’s life depends on it. It may not matter that much to you and your guys, but Deniz isbrokenwithout her.” Her voice cracked. Bowing her head, she struggled for a long moment before meeting Con’s gaze again.

“Professor.” His soft tone sank into her psyche, seducing her without a single touch. “It’s important to my team that we find his wife. If it were you…”

She stared at him harder. “If it were me what?”

“You always respond with more questions, even when one isn’t needed.”

“Answer me, Ryan. Please.”

“Is this the same answer you wanted from me earlier?”

She pressed her lips together tight. When it became apparent that he wasn’t going to back down from this, she sighed. “When you kissed me earlier in the bedroom, so many emotions flooded in. The way you looked at me when you broke the kiss made me question…”

“Tell me.”

“I wondered if you’re feeling the same things I’m feeling.”

His chest heaved as he filled it with a deep breath. His eyes glinted with a brand-new light, making her lean closer in order to study them.

He closed his hands on her upper arms. “I am feeling things, Sophie. But I’m not a man who jumps into relationships. Hell, I don’t know the last time I had one, and I’m not supposed to have one now. But dammit if I don’t want to claim you as mine.”

The breath whooshed from her lips and she gaped at him in shock.

At the same time, they surged toward each other. She pushed onto her toes even as he lowered his head and captured her mouth.

She tore at his shirt. He whipped her pants down and whirled her to face the wall. She heard the clink of his belt a split second before the thick head of his cock teased across her wet entrance.

Cupping her breasts, he placed his mouth to her ear. “Take me, Professor. Take me deep.”

There was only one word for what he was doing.

Heownedher.

In one quick shove, he sank balls-deep. Muffling her cry, she twisted her face for his kiss, her mind spinning out of control from the passion and love pulsing through her body.

He retreated with a shuddering intake of air and then slammed home again. And again. Her inner walls tightened on his every inch, milking him like never before.

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