Page 81 of Shadowed Vows: Ghost
"Is this part of the training?" I manage, my voice embarrassingly breathy.
"Very important part," he rumbles, his hand sliding up to cup my face. "Distraction can be deadly."
When his mouth finally claims mine, I'm already half-undone. His kiss is different from the one on the rooftop—more commanding, more deliberate. I melt into him, my body arching involuntarily against his solid frame.
His hand slides from my face down my neck, tracing the outline of my collarbone before dipping lower. When his palm covers my breast through my shirt, I moan into his mouth.
Kade growls in response, deepening the kiss as his thumb brushes over my hardened nipple. The dual sensation of his mouth and hand sends waves of pleasure radiating through me.
"Kade," I gasp when we break for air. "We shouldn't—"
"Then tell me to stop," he challenges, his hand moving lower, stroking over my stomach, fingers teasing at the waistband of my leggings.
I should. I know I should. But the words won't come.
His fingers slip beneath the elastic, stroking lower with agonizing slowness. My hips buck involuntarily, seeking more contact.
"That's it," he murmurs approvingly. "Stop fighting what you want."
Just as his fingers reach the edge of my underwear, the training room door slides open with a hydraulic hiss.
We spring apart, but not fast enough.
Asher stands in the doorway, his expression unchanged save for a single raised eyebrow. "Interesting technique," he observes dryly. "Though I don't recall that particular move from our military training."
Kade's professional mask slams back into place. "What is it, Asher?"
"We think we found Roman's location," Asher's dark eyes flickering between us. "Matches the coordinates from the message." He pauses, adding with deadpan delivery, "Though if you'd prefer to continue your... hands-on tactical instruction, I can tell the team you're working on an especially challenging technique."
Heat floods my face. Kade's jaw tightens, but I catch the briefest flash of frustration in his eyes before it's replaced by razor-sharp focus.
"Time to get ready."
twenty-four
Kade
Iscan the abandoned Oakland Estuary Shipyard, my senses on high alert. The team fans out behind me, their movements precise and controlled. Alina stays close, her presence both comforting and distracting.
"Nitro, Blade. Take the east side. Reaper, Chaos. West. Saint, you're on standby for medical. Stay sharp."
My orders brooke no argument. As the team splits off, I catch Asher's eye.
"I've got eyes up high," he confirms, already moving towards the towering container cranes looming in the distance.
I shift toward Alina, taking in the resolute look on her face. "Stay close. We don't know what we're walking into."
She nods, her green eyes flashing. We move silently through the derelict structures, rusted metal groaningbeneath our feet. The air is thick with the scent of salt and decay.
A padlocked door catches my attention. Before I can react, Alina steps forward, extracting a small set of picks from her pocket. My eyebrows rise involuntarily.
"Where did you learn that?" I whisper, mesmerized by her nimble fingers working the lock.
She tosses a quick grin over her shoulder. "A girl's gotta have some secrets, Ghost."
The question nags at me. "Hold up. If you've got these skills, why were you trying to break in through a window at the warehouse?"
Her hands pause momentarily. Even in the dim light, I catch the flush creeping up her neck.
