Page 70 of Being Bold
She moaned but met his gaze. He wanted to fall into those sea-green depths and stay, trapped in a storm he never wished to escape.
“Come with me,” he demanded, half begging, half already gone and hoping she’d follow.
When she screamed his name, his release rocked him like a squall, exploding over him in a powerful wave that sapped the strength from his arms. He collapsed onto her, his head nestled by her breasts as his lungs gasped for air.
He rolled when he’d caught his breath, pulling her into his side. Her hair was a dark tangle over her face, her breathsshifting strands of it as she huffed in air. He pushed it from her eyes, tucking it behind her ear. Bending, he kissed the top of her head.
She sighed as he ran a hand up and down her back. “Sleep,” he murmured.
When she placed her hand on his chest, he covered it with his own. His heart flopped around in its cavity, angry at his decisions. He closed his eyes, hoping sleep would come and shut it up.
Holding her, he wished the hours would slow, for the night to last so he wouldn’t have to face tomorrow and his decision to walk away from her. A part of him knew it would be what was best for her, but he couldn’t help wondering . . .
What would happen if I didn’t?
Chapter 19
Selene
Something rattled and buzzed near Selene’s head. Her first thought was to ignore whatever it was as she basked in the comforting warmth of the body wrapped around hers. When the sound didn’t stop, she cracked an eye open, not fully awake. The black burner phone from Mr. Dao vibrated, the screen lighting up, as it moved across the white marble top of the circular nightstand next to the bed in her and Bo’s hotel room.
Dread spiked in her stomach, and her head cleared. Judging by the soft orange light filtering through the sheer panels over the window, dawn was coming. Still, she wanted more time. More snuggling, more kissing, moreeverythingwith Bo before she had to face the reality of her situation. The danger they’d meet today.
Bo was big spoon to her little, and from the even rise and fall of his chest against her back, he slept deeply. Knowing she couldn’t put it off, she reached for the phone, careful not to disturb him.
Mr. Dao hadn’t called. He’d sent her text messages in standard written Chinese instead. As she read them, a skitter of fear traveled down her back, and she gulped, clutching the phone in her fist.
He knows about Bo.
Mr. Dao had told her to ensure she came alone. To leave her ‘janitor friend’ behind, or their deal would be off.
Selene forced herself to take a deep breath. It wasn’t like she trusted Mr. Dao to keep their deal anyway. He wanted her dead, but he wanted the microchip more. Whether Bo went to the meetup with her or not wouldn’t make much of a difference. That’s why they had to use this opportunity to . . . she stuttered over the thought.
To kill him.
Closing her eyes, she shook it from her mind. She couldn’t focus on that. Getting rid of Mr. Dao was the only way she’d get her life back, wasn’t it? When doubts plagued her, she chewed her lip. If she were going to get through this, she had to remember her parents and her need to ensure they were safe.
Nerves caused her body to buzz with restless energy. There was no way she’d get back to sleep now. Setting the phone on the nightstand, she rolled, trying to get out from under Bo’s arm, but her movement made him clutch her tighter.
“Nrhmm,” he mumbled incoherently.
It would’ve made her chuckle if Mr. Dao’s message hadn’t set her on edge. She tried to sit up, and Bo’s arm pulled her back down. With a sigh, she twisted to face him. His rugged features were relaxed, still half asleep. A soft smile tilted the corners of his lips up. His eyes remained closed.
She lifted a hand to his chest, laying it over his heart. “Bo, I have to get up,” she whispered.
“Stay, ocean-eyes.” He tried to nuzzle into her hair, but since she’d turned around, his forehead met her collarbone. A sound rumbled from his throat, then he started kissing and sucking at her skin, sending ripples of pleasure across her senses.
Which only made her feel worse. Because this night they’d stolen was a fantasy. Real life knocked at the door. When tears sprang to her eyes, she tried to blink them away. She wanted tostay in this bed with Bo more than anything, but it was time to confront the future. “Mr. Dao texted.”
Bo’s eyes shot open. With an angry growl, he asked, “When?”
He wanted to know how long they had left. It wasn’t long enough. “Noon.” Only a few short hours from now. Her heart squeezed, and she had to swallow before continuing, “He wants to meet at noon.” Bo’s arms tightened around her as if noon were too soon. She sighed as disappointed as he seemed. “He told me to come alone. To leaveyou. He must’ve seen you helping me at Saber Tech.”
A deep frown line marred Bo’s forehead. “Yeah, or Felix told him before . . .” he trailed off with a wince as if sorry he’d reminded her. “Uh, because Yumi said she’d scrub the footage.”
Worry for her friend stirred in her gut. “I need to see if she’s called or texted.”
Bo gave a slight nod. “And I need to tell Victor about Dao.”
