Page 39 of Shadowed Hearts: Frost
His other hand spans my waist, pulling me flush against him. The tactical vest presses against my chest, hard edges contrasting with the heat radiating from his skin.
There's nothing accidental about how he claims my mouth, nothing unplanned about how his body presses mine back against my desk.
Just when I think I might combust from the heat building between us, he breaks the kiss. His breathing is controlled despite the intensity, but his eyes have darkened to near-black.
My chest rises and falls rapidly as I struggle to remember how breathing works.
"You've been playing a dangerous game." His voice is rough, gravelly.
The warning is clear, but the hunger in his eyes makes me want to keep playing.
His fingers travel from my hair down to my neck, palm resting against my throat without pressure—marking ownership rather than threat. I can feel my pulse hammering against his hand. He moves his thumb to rub my lips.
Waves of heat rush through my entire body at the intimate contact.
"Game's just getting started," I whisper against his thumb.
His eyes narrow slightly. He steps back with deliberate slowness, releasing me as if to demonstrate his perfect control.
The loss of contact makes me immediately colder, and I grip the edge of my desk to stay upright.
"We need to establish parameters." His voice returns to clinical precision. "If—and that's a significant if—we share information."
My body still hums with awareness, but I force my brain back online. "I work best behind the scenes. Digital trails, system analysis, pattern recognition."
"Noted." His expression gives nothing away. "And yet you've put yourself directly in my path."
"Sometimes you need to move from background to foreground to get results." I try to steady my breathing. "But my analytical talents are in the digital realm. That's where I can help most."
He considers this, then gives a single, curt nod. "Your digital forensics and local intelligence could be... useful."
The closest thing to a compliment I'll get. "So we have an agreement?"
"Conditional agreement." He straightens, resuming perfect military posture. "Pending verification of your Vertex intelligence and establishment of secure communication protocols."
"I can set those up now." I gesture toward my system. "Create an encrypted channel that even the NSA couldn't crack."
"Tomorrow." His tone brooks no argument. "I need to consult with my team first."
The reminder that he's not operating alone sends a chill through me. This partnership involves more than just the two of us.
"When do we start?" I ask, trying to sound businesslike despite my still-racing pulse.
His expression doesn't change, but something dangerous lurks behind those dark eyes.
"We already have."
eleven
Asher
"So you decided to photograph me like some kind of stalker?"
Vanessa's fingers dance across her keyboard, manipulating the digital projection on her wall. Financial connections glow in red between Paradise Elite and offshore accounts while yellow pathways trace suspected victims across multiple states.
"I mean, you literally stood out like a neon sign in Temple Coffee."
I move closer, studying the interconnected web of data she's created. Hundreds of photos, documents, and transaction records create an intelligence operation that rivals military briefings.
