Page 40 of Tracking the Alpha
The tension in Tanis eased, but she didn’t speak until Barrett said, “We’re good now. I doubt they can hear us if we keep our voices low.”
“Doesn’t sound as if they really know what’s going on, other than the fact people are being held in the basement,” she murmured.
“The underground labs and prison cells,” he corrected. “And I doubt it would matter if they found out.”
“Because the general or the major would have them killed by sending them out in the woods to find you.”
Barrett grimaced. “Never even thought they might be using me as their executioner.”
“How long before those soldiers come back?” she asked, referring to the mention of Joe and Kane who’d left in a van.
“I stashed them far enough away they’ll be a day or more before they find a way back.”
“I take it you have a plan.”
“Not really.”
She blinked at him. “Then why come inside?”
“Wasn’t that what you wanted?”
Her mouth open and shut. “Eventually. I wasn’t even sure it would work. I was going to drop some clothes in the woods for you.”
“No need, but appreciated.”
“You do realize it’s probably too late for you to slip back out.”
“Why would I do that when I need to be inside to dismantle the operation?”
“And how do we do that?”
“I’m not sure. Guess we’ll have to think of something.”
“We?” she repeated. “Last time I thought we were a team, you abandoned me.”
The tummy-tingling smiling returned as he murmured, “I got cold paws, but you’re stuck with me now.”
Before she could reply, he dragged her close and murmured, “Shh.” Then as if he worried she might still speak, his mouth suddenly came down over hers, igniting a fire within and leaving her weak-kneed as he kissed her thoroughly.
Wrong time. Wrong place.
Didn’t stop her from kissing him back.
Chapter Twelve
Of all the things Barrett could have done to silence Tanis when he heard someone about to enter the barn, kissing her should have never been on the list.
Tell that to his mouth as it slanted over hers, quieting her next question. He held her tight against him, her smaller frame molding against his, arousing an intense carnal hunger.
Had she protested in any way, he would have stopped, but instead, her arms laced around his neck. She rose on tiptoe to deepen the kiss. Pressed her hips even closer. It took but the tip of his tongue to coax her lips to part and for them to mesh even more fully.
Fuck, he wanted nothing more than to strip her and explore every inch of her body before sinking his cock into her. But he remained acutely aware he’d entered enemy territory. Just above their heads were soldiers who would shoot and cage him.
Did he end the embrace, though?
No.
His hands dropped to her ass and cupped those firm cheeks before lifting her so he didn’t have to lean and she didn’t have to strain. Her legs wrapped around his waist, snugging her sex against his lower belly. She might as well have been pressed against his cock.
