Page 16 of Dangerous Devotion

Henner slipped his hand around her back and settled it on her spine. The brush of his fingertips over her bare flesh made it break out in goose bumps.

Oh god.Her nipples pebbled too. Why had she worn this dress? With her luck, her nipples would push outward so hard they’d dislodge the tape holding up the bodice.

“Excuse us.” Henner guided her forward, stretching his fingers lower on her spine, closer to her ass.

After only a few steps, they were engulfed by the crowd.

She twisted her head toward Henner. “I hope Simpson drank enough to forget that entire encounter.”

His blue eyes pierced into hers. “He wasn’t drinking.”

FOUR

Henner’s fingers twitched toward the phone in his jacket pocket. He had a few choice words to share with his commanding officer. About how this op lacked attention to detail—like how they were sending him into a party full of military servicemen when he was supposed to be dead.

As they hurried out of the building, he kept a hand on May’s arm, guiding her as fast as she could go in those high heels. As soon as he got a chance to report to Con exactly how many close calls he had at the gala, he would.

First, they needed to get to the hotel.

The black car was parked where they needed it to be, and he opened the back door for May to slide inside. When they were situated, he pulled out his phone, thinking to report via text, when letters flashed across his screen.

Incoming ship. Meet at port. Fast.

May read the message and threw a look at the driver.

She made a small, strangled noise in her throat and shut her mouth on whatever she was about to say.

Henner already knew what that was. The port that would receive the shipment was a good three hours from them by car.

He shot back a text to Con.

When?

Before dawn.

He traded a glance with May. They had the time to make the drive, but not much. They’d spent hours at the gala only to gain no intel about the incoming shipment. Thank god someone else fed them the tip.

“From the start, I knew this op would go tits up,” he muttered.

“Don’t you mean titties up?”

A snort burst out. The woman was actually trying to lighten the mood, which he appreciated. After looking over his shoulder every step he took in that gala, he could use some comic relief.

In a short time, they reached the hotel. The minute they got into their room, another text from Con came in.

Henner skimmed it, and adrenaline cut through his veins. “Shit.”

“What is it?” Anxiety made May’s voice tremor.

“The shipment is ahead of schedule.”

“Damn!”

“We don’t have much time. We have to get out of here. Get changed!” He watched her rush toward the open bedroom door, gaze locked on the bare expanse of her back where his hand had rested.

He could still feel the warmth of her flesh lingering in his fingers. He stretched them out, trying to dispel the sensation.

If he didn’t hurry, they’d miss that shipment.

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