Page 92 of Dangerous Rhythm

“How about if we do some tumbling up here first before we do all that downstairs?” Curtis winked and hauled her up by the waist.

Lina squealed, but her nimble legs automatically locked around his hips as he held her bottom. He walked them back to the bed and lay her on the mattress. Hovering over her, he captured her mouth.

“It’ll be a quickie,” he promised in between kisses as he pulled her underwear off.

“It’s never a quickie with you,” Lina said. “Not that I’m complaining.”

Curtis slid a finger through her slit. “Hm, it looks like you need a little extra attention this morning, love.”

He crawled down her body and settled his mouth on her mound. He started feasting on her sensitive flesh like he’d been starved to death. Hearing her strangled moan was like music to his ear and he followed her lead to bring her to the edge of ecstasy before joining with her in a waltz they both knew by heart.

Lina checked the messages on the new phone B&Y had given her. Curtis had distracted her again in the shower. This craving for him should subside soon, or she’d have a problem staying focused on the job.

They had managed to go to the gym after their first tumble and got some actual training in this morning. Seeing his defenses and fighting skills eased her worry a notch. But he’d still be vulnerable if the Stilettos changed their MO. That family liked it close and personal, but they were criminals. They couldn’t maintain their territory without more firepower.

Though, after reading what Ken had on the Stilettos, Lina concluded that Serafina had a penchant for the dramatic. There were a few murders of witnesses against the family, the weapon had been a knife. The police had never found the murder weapon or any evidence to link the murders to the Stilettos, even if it seemed obvious who the culprit was.

The bodies were found clean and naked, except for the wound, as if they’d been bathed before being disposed. Lina shudderedas an image of Curtis in that state invaded her mind. She quickly shook it off.

Do not let your head go there!

Lina read the new message Marcus had sent as she walked to the kitchen. Curtis was staring at the coffeemaker, willing it to brew the second batch faster. There wasn’t much in her pantry, so they’d had to make do with plain oatmeal for breakfast earlier. She wished they could just walk to the nearest restaurant for lunch. Hopefully, they could do that soon.

With that in mind, she texted Marcus back.

“Want more coffee?” Curtis held the pot over her cup.

“Sure.”

At least she had coffee. She also had a bunch of instant ramen, but it seemed unhealthy without at least an egg.

“Marcus and Ken will be here soon,” Lina informed.

“Will we talk strategy or will you try to shuffle me off somewhere again?” he asked.

“Ken and I told you we’d find a permanent solution to the Stilettos problem when we agreed to take you home. Marcus wasn’t happy about it. So we might need to convince him.”

“I can’t get on another plane and sneak around again, Lina,” he said. “I do that enough touring. I don’t want to do it in my spare time.”

“There’s a big difference between being chased by the mob and by a mob of groupies.” She snickered.

“Neither is fun.”

Lina scoffed at that.

“Fine. I’ll admit being chased by cute girls had its moment.” Curtis grinned as he leaned on the counter. “But it’s not nearly as fun as it was when we were in our twenties.”

“Somehow I doubt that.”

“We didn’t have a care in the world back then. We played music to a crowd. It was exhilarating, still is. The extra attentionfrom the fans was flattering. We did a lot of crazy shit. You’ve witnessed some of it.” He chuckled.

“Oh yes, I did.”

“But how long can this last?” Curtis shrugged. “I hope I can make music for the rest of my life, and play for people as long as they want to hear it. But I don’t need the girls. We all have to grow up sometimes.”

“Are you telling me you’re too old for those young girls chanting your name, throwing their underwear at you?” Lina asked.

“Well…” A corner of his lips rose into one of his irresistible half-grins. “They can do whatever they want.”

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