Page 50 of Afraid to Hope

“Expecting someone?”

“No.” She paused and waved him toward the pantry. “The toolbox is in there. You grab the screwdrivers. Metal box, on the floor.”

“On it.”

Bane heard Natasha open the door, followed by the voice of her friend Gia. Thank God sound carried so well in theriad.

“Good morning! I was about to knock. A little softer than our friend here.”

Viviane chimed in. “Yes. We were in the neighborhood and wanted to see you before we fly out this afternoon.” There was a soft rustling sound. “Fresh and still warm. We bought the last batch. Do you have tea on?”

Bane slipped the folder of what Natasha and he were going to share with Emmet, as well as the flathead and cross-recess screwdrivers, into her tote and then headed toward the entrance. The women’s timing was not welcome.

“Bane and I—” Natasha broke off, then said quickly, “Good morning. We have coffee, but it’s no problem to make tea.”

Pushing her way past Natasha, Viviane chirped, “Is he here, that gorgeous hunk of a husband of yours?”

“I am,” Bane rumbled softly, eyes narrow, noting how the women had entered. “Kinda early, isn’t it?”

“Please excuse us. We haven’t seen Natasha for so long that we hoped it would be all right to drop in again,” Gia explained, then hesitated before asking, “It is all right?”

What the hell was he supposed to say to that? “Of course.” Bane smiled warmly. “And what gift did you come bearing?” He nodded at the sack.

“Excuse me? Oh yes. Croissants. Fresh from the bakery.”

“I can always eat. Had breakfast. Exercised—” Bane winked at Natasha and gave her a sexy grin while rubbing the tee over his washboard abs.

Her blatant return of his wink surprised him and he beamed. It also wiped the expectant smile from Viviane’s face.

Gia jumped in. “I’m happy to help you with the tea, Bane.”

“I’ve got it,” he said, gently prying the sack from Viviane’s hand. “You girls head outside. I’ll bring a tray when it’s ready.” He closed the front door but left it unlocked.

“Are you sure?” Natasha asked.

Bane hugged her to him and planted a full kiss on her temple, his eyes moving between Viviane and Gia. He dropped his lips to her ear, murmuring, “By the way, you smile at me like that again in front of someone and we’ll need to excuse ourselves.”

Natasha drew her head up, pinning him with molten eyes, and gave him a daring smirk. “When I say and not until then.”

“You dropped something, Natasha,” Viviane said, bending over and retrieving the folded paper that had fallen from Natasha’s pocket.

Bane snatched it from her, smirking. “For her eyes only.” He slid the note into Natasha’s pocket and bracketed her waist with his large hands, chuckling, his eyes dancing with mischief. “My wife enjoys rereading my love notes.”

Clearly uncomfortable with Bane’s sexual banter, the two women hurried out the french doors and seated themselves at the table that Natasha and Bane had occupied only moments earlier.

The way Bane played with Gia and Viviane was fascinating as hell, like a cat with its prey. Natasha pivoted, her smile softening her question. “Really? Have you no shame?”

He leaned against the counter, his thumbs hooked in the waist of his pants. “Not when it comes to you. Besides that, I threw Viviane off her game. I’ll be out soon. Dumped the folder and the screwdrivers in your tote, by the way. You left it at the foot of the stairs. I’ll put it in our bedroom since we don’t know who is snooping through the house.” His expression grew hooded. “I meant what I said.”

Natasha stepped up to him, regarding him frankly. His slouching posture had them almost even in height. “Thank you.” She kissed him perfunctorily, focused as she was on their guests, and started to move away. “So did I.”

“Uh-uh,” he mumbled, pulling her to him and kissing her languorously, turning her legs to rubber.

She responded in kind, her tongue sliding over his, her body pressing against him and catching fire as they deepened their kiss, wholly wanting more.

Bane lifted her chin with his finger, grazing his teeth along her jaw. He stopped and gazed deeply into her eyes. “You are most welcome, wife,” he whispered and smacked her playfully on her ass. “Go, or you’ll miss your visit.”

Natasha laughed and sashayed out the french doors. Bane pulled his eyes away from her enticing movement and adjusted himself, mulling over his relationship with Natasha as he prepared to brew coffee and heat water for tea. This provocative, playful Nat was a very welcome side of her, but he was in way over his head. She was everything he dreamed a woman could be, and yet it was so new. They barely knew each other, but the connection between them—fuck, it was hot. The timing wasn’t the best, but when would it be? What he felt was exhilarating and scary at the same time. Where would they end up when this assignment was over?

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