Page 39 of Be Very Quiet

She shook her head. “Oh, yes, I do.” She hurried across the hall and found a bag in her closet. Liliana didn’t need to pack much since she could pop in and get what she needed at any time. Something made her toss her racy, lacy red bra and matching panties inside. Would she have the nerve to put them on? What would Luca’s reaction be to seeing her in them?

She returned to Bertie’s condo. Luca was on the phone, so she headed to the second bedroom. She assumed Luca would want the main one with the ocean view and sliding glass doors to the balcony. His company was paying for it, after all. Before she could unzip, Luca was standing at the door.

“This is mine. You’re next door.”

“Don’t you want the bigger room?”

He shook his head. “I want you to have it.”

Liliana picked up her suitcase and walked past him, inhaling the scent that was uniquely Luca. It intoxicated her and made her drunk with lust. She’d successfully subdued her libido for years, and after a few minutes around Luca, it was back in full force.

Liliana placed her bag on the dresser. Bertie was selling the unit fully furnished. When she moved into the assisted living facility, she hadn’t needed to take the items with her. She had lovely taste, and the king-sized bed with the woven headboard was perfect for a coastal-designed space. The company selling the unit had staged it perfectly, adding touches to remind prospective buyers they were close to the beach, from the mermaid artwork to the octopus towel holder to the starfish lights. They had included a plethora of fake plants, which looked nice, but Liliana was partial to the real thing. The unit would sell quickly, she was sure. It was a shame she likely wouldn’t be able to afford it.

Liliana opened the slider to hear the waves. When she turned, Luca was watching her. She hadn’t realized he was still there. She didn’t know what to say to him. Should she ask him to come to her? Hold her? She didn’t want him to think she was weak.

“Christian is staying at your place tonight. Audria is taking the couch here. I’ll, uh, be in the room next door if you need me.”

Oh, she needed. Badly. Borderline desperately. “Wait,” she called out when he turned to leave. Luca spun around with a questioning look. “Stay here. With me.” She closed her eyes and gathered her thoughts. “I slept better last night than I have in years. I need to rest, and I won’t until Rader is caught. You make me feel safe.”

In two steps, Luca was in front of her. He slid his hands around her face and then he lowered his head. Liliana moaned as he touched his lips to hers. Fire. Pure, unmitigated heat. His lips were firm yet soft. And oh, were they masterful. The man knew how to kiss.

Liliana wrapped her arms around his neck and hung on as he plundered her mouth in exquisite fashion.

Suddenly, she was whisked into his strong embrace, and he carried her to the bed. The sound of the waves crashing into the sand filled the room.

Luca’s lips never left hers as he lowered her to the mattress. Liliana craved the feel of his body pressed to hers, but he was suddenly gone. Her eyes fluttered open to see her staring at her with stark desire in his amber eyes.

“I have to get my coworkers settled,” he rumbled in a gravelly voice.

Liliana didn’t want him to leave, but she understood his need to make sure the others were okay. He’d always been a protector. It was his superpower.

Liliana waited until he left before scrambling out of bed and grabbing the racy lingerie. She hoped he would return as she settled the lace over her breasts and slid the thong in place. If he needed a green light, this should do it. The material barely covered the important bits. All that was missing was a neon sign that flashed,“Do me.”

Liliana leaped back into the bed and slid beneath the covers. She moaned. Nice. Either Bertie had left satin sheets, or the staging company had used them. It didn’t matter. The material was luxurious. Liliana snuggled into the pillow, and before she knew it, she was fast asleep.

#

Luca spoke with Christian and Audria, ensuring everything was set for the night. They thought he’d be bunking in the extra bedroom, but after Liliana’s request, the only place he wanted to be was in her arms.

No, it wasn’t professional. Although, he didn’t think it was against COBRA Securities’ rules since he’d worked on a few cases where an agent fell in love with the person they were charged with protecting. It had happened to most of his coworkers, including both of his bosses, if the rumors were true.

Luca never mixed business with pleasure. During his tenure as a cop and then a detective, he’d been propositioned with every sexual favor imaginable. It was comical, yet sad, the lengths people would go to in an effort to avoid a ticket or arrest. He’d never crossed that line, not even been tempted. Once you breached the barrier, it was impossible to go back. He’d known several cops who had taken that step, only to lose their job or, worse, be accused of a crime themselves.

Yet right now, Luca didn’t care about the consequences. He wanted to hold Liliana, kiss her, make love to her. He’d been fantasizing about it for years. It seemed as if he’d wanted her forever. He’d always considered her the one that got away, even if their relationship hadn’t been sexual back then.

It took everything he had not to race into the bedroom. He didn’t want to frighten her with the force of his need. And it was massive—as was the erection he was sporting.

He opened the door and ground to a halt. Lord have mercy. She was lying in bed in the most erotic red lingerie he’d ever seen. The material barely covered her secrets. But his excitement was quickly dampened. She was sound asleep.

With a sigh, Luca placed his gun and phone on the table beside the bed, stripped down to his boxer briefs, and slid beneath the sheets. Liliana made a sound and snuggled her sexy body against him. He gritted his teeth. He thought last night had been torture. That was nothing compared to right now.

Liliana’s deep, even breathing and the sound of the ocean waves outside lulled him to sleep.

#

Luca’s eyes snapped open, and he was instantly awake when he felt the soft slide of a hand over his stomach. The only illumination in the room was the moonlight filtering through the windows, but he could clearly see Liliana as she explored the muscles on his abdomen. What he couldn’t see was if her eyes were open or not. Was she dreaming? Sleep-feeling? Was that a thing?

His question was answered when she tilted her head and blinked at him. A coy smile curved her lips. Very much awake.

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