Page 50 of Over the Edge

“And yet, here we are,” Trevor said quietly. “At the end of the day, Cal wasn’t wrong.”

“Yes, but this isn’t us working on the Reapers. We’re thousands of miles away from the team. We’re on our own out here.”

She felt Trevor’s sigh more than she heard it. “This would have happened sooner or later between you and me. I was close to my limit for staying away from you even before that kiss at Mabel’s.”

“Really?” Good grief. She didn’t know her voice was even capable of squeaking like that.

“Really.” He kissed her again, this time with slightly more passion.

Mmm. That was nice. Joy bubbled up in her belly like froth on a good latte, warm and satisfying. She draped her arms over his muscular shoulders and loved it when his arms swept around her more strongly, pulling her close against his glorious body.

The hard bulge of his crotch pressed against her stomach, lending truth to his declaration that he’d wanted her for a long time. And yet, his kisses continued to be more gentle than forceful, more restrained than passionate. Clearly, it would be up to her to get him to cut loose with her.

Which, of course, she took as a personal challenge.

She plunged her fingers into his thick, silky hair and tugged his head closer, deepening the kiss. He didn’t fight, rather he gave in with a smile against her mouth that turned into an open-mouthed kiss of mutual desire—

“Anna!” A knock on her door and her grandmother called, “Are you getting dressed? We need to leave soon.”

Crap. “Yes, grandmother,” Anna called back. “I’ll let Trevor know.”

“All right.”

He grandmother’s shuffling footsteps retreated down the hall. The top stair tread squeaked.

Anna dropped her forehead against his shoulder in frustration, and Trevor chuckled under his breath. “To be continued?” he murmured.

“Definitely. Now scram. I’ve got an hour’s worth of primping to do in about fifteen minutes.”

“Shout if you need help zipping anything.”

“Traditional garb doesn’t have zippers. It’s mostly wraps, tucks, ties, and pins.”

“I’m good at pins if you get short on time.”

She shooed him out of her room, muttering under her breath, “The question is, how good are you at undoing them?”

“Only one way to find out…” His voice trailed off as he strode down the hall to his own room to dress.

That man. He made her whole heart smile.

She hurried over to the wardrobe to pull out one of the traditional Zagari dresses Cal had arranged to have sent to her by the American embassy staff here. Along with a few other surprise goodies in the trunk that she wasdeeplygrateful for.

She dressed frantically and then whipped through putting on make-up, silently thanking Sherri Tate wherever she was tonight for teaching her how to properly apply make-up. A long-time pageant girl, Sherri was a wizard at girl goop.

Tonight, Anna wanted to look her best. Not only did she want to impress her family, but it was her first chance to really dress up in front of Trevor.

Her gown was made of bright yellow silk gauze, long sleeved and close fitting through the cropped top that just reached her skirt, which flared from a wide, high waistband into a full, floor length affair. It draped over multiple stiff, gold tissue underskirts. The entire gown was lavishly embellished with gold foil, gold embroidery, and thousands of tiny gold crystals. She felt like a freaking butterfly in the thing.

Not that she could reach it quickly if she actually needed it, she still strapped on a thigh holster and slipped a small Glock pistol, a gift from Cal and the embassy, into it. She simply didn’t feel dressed unless she had a lethal weapon or two stashed on her person.

She draped the only other burka she had over her gown, hiding its brilliance in the dull black fabric. She also donned a black scarf over her head and tucked a fold of it across her face. She would change into the matching yellow and gold head scarf once she got to the party.

The burka flapped around her like bat’s wings as she hurried downstairs to where her cousins, grandmother, and Trevor were waiting. He looked smashing in a black suit, starched white shirt, and narrow black tie.

Her grandmother said warningly, “I hope you have dressed to honor my family and bring no shame to our name.”

Anna rolled her eyes. “I’m wearing full Zagari formal dress, grandmother. I would never shame my family.”

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