Page 44 of Always Been Mine

She was rigid in her posture; her arms were at her sides. Gabe burrowed his nose further, further down. She inhaled sharply.

Her fingers drove into his hair and tilted his head up forcefully to look up at her. “No distractions, Sullivan. You realize you put me in a difficult position with Travis and with BSI in general.”

Gabe scowled. “Babe, you need to stop pulling my hair unless you want me to fuck you afterward, because right now, I have an overwhelming desire to shove up your skirt and eat that pussy.”

Her fingers disappeared from his hair as she tried to step back, but he held her firmly.

“Be serious.” Her voice was shaky.

“I am being serious,” Gabe gritted through his teeth. “I’m as hard as a brick.”

Without releasing her, he let her pull away a bit so she could see the undeniable ridge pushing against his jeans.

“Umm . . . Well, you’re on your own with that,” Beatrice laughed nervously. “Let me go.”

Gabe grinned despite the ache in his jaw. Blake had a mean right hook. He watched Beatrice dispose of the used cotton balls and other litter from their little first-aid session. She strutted to the corner of the bathroom to return the medical kit, her ass taunting him in that tight skirt. “You need to stop doing that.”

His gaze lifted to hers. “Stop doing what?”

She had a knowing smile on her lips. “Looking at me like you want to eat me up.”

Is she flirting with me?

Gabe stood up cautiously; her eyes left his, lowering to his crotch.Christ! Is she torturing me?

He cleared his throat. “You need to stop staring at my dick.”

Beatrice smirked, turned her back on him, and walked out of the bathroom. “Point made. If you’re hungry”—significant pause—“for food, I can fix you something.”

Gabe followed her to the kitchen. “What if I’m hungry for something else?”

Beatrice was rummaging through the fridge and didn’t answer for a while. After taking out some chopped-up veggies and some chicken cutlets, she said, “Sex is off the table tonight, Sullivan. So if that’s what you’re after, the door is right there, but I’m not above sharing a chicken stir-fry.”

“I’ll stay for dinner,” Gabe said quickly. Put in place again.Dial down the teenage hormones will you, Sullivan?

“Great.” Beatrice beamed at him.

That killer smile always did funny things to his chest.

Gabe endedup staying for a movie as well. A damned chick flick. It was a romantic comedy, so it was at least bearable. Beatrice didn’t ask him any more questions about his Russian alter ego. He was relieved, and at the same time, unsettled.

He looked over to where she had fallen asleep at the other end of the couch. Her feet were on his lap. She seemed more relaxed tonight and didn’t protest when he started massaging her soles in the middle of the movie. She had changed into flannel pajamas after dinner. If she was trying to look unsexy, she failed. She could wear a flour sack and he’d still think she was the most beautiful woman on the planet.

Gabe leaned over and stole the remote from her slackened grip and turned off the TV. He carefully lowered her feet, stood up, bent over her, and lifted her from the couch.

“What are you doing?” Beatrice murmured sleepily.

“Putting you to bed and then heading home,” Gabe whispered. “I don’t think Rhino will be too happy with me if I stay much longer.”

“Okay.”

He lowered her on the mattress and did some maneuvering to get her under the covers. Gabe couldn’t help himself and pressed a kiss on her lips. “See you tomorrow, poppy.”

Beatrice was already lightly snoring away.

Dressed in black,her red hair in a severe bun, Beatrice stood at the back of the gathering for the funeral of Eric Stone. Security was tight, and a larger crowd stood outside the cemetery gates. Though not a national sensation, Titanium Rose had an avid following in Northern Virginia and Washington DC.

Gabe stood beside her. She was surprised when he showed up at her condo this morning dressed in a suit. He was one of those men who could be comfortable in whatever setting was required of him. He would look good in all-commando gear as well as an expensive suit, and judging with her experienced eyes, the one he was wearing today cost at least three grand. It was a sunny day despite the chill; he wore sunglasses, which shielded some of the bruises he had sustained last night.

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