Page 67 of Zero Hour

“Oh, God?—”

She was past the point of thinking. Of reason. All that existed wasthis—the slow, devastating torture of his mouth on her, his strong hands pinning her thighs apart, holding her exactly where he wanted her.

It was madness.

A few hours ago, he’d rescued her from Amir. And now she was in his bed, trembling beneath him, undone by his touch.

She should have been afraid of a man like Patrick Burke—towering, lethal, honed by war and discipline. A man who could kill with his bare hands. Who had thrown himself into enemy fire without hesitation.

But here, with her, he was gentle. Devastatingly, ruinously skilled.

He flicked his tongue over her clit, sending a sharp bolt of pleasure up her spine. She gasped, arching, desperate for more, foreverything.

She thrust toward him, shameless in her need.

Patrick growled against her skin, a deep, feral sound that sent liquid heat pooling low in her belly.

Damn, the man was thorough. Focused. As if this was just another mission—one he refused to fail. He devoured her like she was his last meal, his tongue working her clit with ruthless precision, his lips wrapping around it before suckingjust right.

She shattered.

The orgasm slammed into her, her entire body bowing off the bed, thighs shaking against his shoulders. She cried out as the pleasure wrecked her, wave after wave, spiraling through her like an electrical surge.

Patrick didn’t stop. Didn’t let up. His tongue lapped at her like heownedher, like he couldn’t get enough. She twisted beneath him, overwhelmed, gasping his name.

Only when her body finally sagged against the sheets did he lift his head, his mouth glistening, his expression dark with satisfaction.

She grabbed his face, pulling him up until his weight covered her. He kissed her slowly, thoroughly, letting her taste herself on his tongue.

“My whole body is tingling,” she whispered, dazed.

Patrick chuckled darkly against her lips. “Good.” His voice was a low, rough drawl. “That’s nothing compared to what I’m gonna do to you next.”

A delicious shiver rolled through her.

He brushed his lips over her jaw, her throat. “You okay with that?”

She felt him then. Pressed hard and hot against her thigh.

Oh, Lord.

Her eyes flicked down.

Holy crap. Would she even be able to take that inside of her? A bolt of nerves shot through her. It had beenso long. Adamhadn’t touched her in years. Would she even remember how to do this?

She gulped, her desire overcoming her fear. “Yeah, I’m more than okay with it.”

He leaned over and rummaged in the beside drawer for a condom. “Think I’ve got some lying around in here somewhere.”

She smiled as he searched. “Don’t worry, I’m safe.”

He frowned. “You sure?”

“Yeah, I had a hysterectomy after Ryan was born. There were complications.” She pulled him back toward her. “I trust you.”

“I’m clean,” he said, as his lips brushed hers. His voice was molten, thick with need.

“I believe you.”

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