Page 19 of Callen's Captive
“Ok, then, I guess we’ll limit our discussions to, I don’t know, psychopathic mercenaries and the tactics they use. That’s something we have in common.”
He frowned. “I’d rather talk baseball.”
“I’ll be back soon enough.” She shoved the money into her pocket and swung the bag onto her back. “And I’m not small!” she said as she headed for the door.
“Kate, wait.” He winced as he forced himself to rise. His ribs were still giving him trouble. This time when he drew near, she straightened her back and stood her ground. Instinct should have had her backing out of his reach, but something in her wanted him to draw close, so close she’d feel his breath wash over her skin. There was an intensity about Callen that she wanted to experience firsthand.
Callen drew a single finger down her left cheek, and she delighted in the shudder that traveled through her. Another touch like that and she’d need to buy herself some new underwear along with the rest of the supplies.
“You, my dear Kate, are a very beautiful and strong woman, and I’m quite sure the only reason you’ve lasted this long is because of your cunning. But the WSSO has your face plastered all over town. They will shoot to kill, and that’s something I won’t risk.”
“We need supplies. Food, bottled water, a shirt for you.”
“Going shirtless is hardly a problem.”
“It is if you want to blend in as we move to the next safe-house. I was wrong about this print shop. I think the workers will be here Monday morning.”
“How do you know?”
“I read through some invoices and other papers. They have an order to get out.”
Callen’s hand went to his left rib cage. He didn’t want her going alone, but she wasn’t giving him a choice. “You promise you won’t take any risks?”
Kate had never been an impulsive person, but for some reason, she pushed up on her toes to kiss Callen’s cheek. He turned in that exact moment, placing his lips near hers. He smelled nice, like nutmeg and a fireplace, with manly sweat thrown in the mix. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips, tempted to reach out and taste him, too. It was getting really hot in the prints shop all of a sudden. He didn’t need that shirt after all. Or maybe she could give him hers, let him take it off her in fact.
“I guess if you were in me. . . my position. . . you’d go really slow, take extra care?” she asked.
A hand slid down her back, delivering a scorching heat that definitely made her want to shed a few layers. As his hand came to rest on the small of her back, he gave the slightest push forward.
“There are benefits to slow.” He pulled her so close she could feel the heat coming off of him.
Definitely adding panties to the list.
It took all her willpower to keep from pressing against those hard muscles, to see how well she fit against him. His lips were so close to hers she was sure he planned to kiss her. She braced herself, not sure what to expect, and then Callen moved his lips to that tender spot at the base of her throat and kissed her there. Another kiss landed an inch higher. And another, until he left behind a trail of kisses along her damp skin. The apex of her thighs was throbbing something fierce.
“I’ll be careful,” she promised.
Warm breath blew on her ear as his lips drew near. Then, with the slightest of whispers, Callen said, “You better be, because I’m not leaving here without you.”
* * *
CALLEN
He’d never intended to make such a declaration to Kate as his hand splayed across the small of her back, nor had he thought he’d get caught in such a sexy bout of foreplay, and it was foreplay. He could smell her arousal, hear her sharp intake of breath, and see the lovely shade of pink spread from her cheeks down her long, elegant neck. He would have started to peel her clothing off if the pain in his ribs hadn’t reminded him of the danger waiting for them outside.
If only this place had a cold shower for him, he’d be good. As it was, he’d have to take care of things once she left, or he’d be blue balling it for a while. Between her scent and her curves, he was having trouble focusing on the tasks ahead.
Learning what she’d done to royally piss off the WSSO was at the top of his list. The time and money alone that the WSSO was investing to find her was bad enough, but the fact that they had openly engaged the help of the local sheriff’s department wreaked of desperation.
With a definite blush to her cheeks, Kate slid out of his embrace. That brief smile she flashed wasn’t the least bit comforting. Something in her body language was off.
“Your word, Kate,” he demanded.
“My word?” she asked as she placed her hand on the door.
“That you’ll be back.” He hated having to ask for her word, but her walking away and not returning would be worse.
“I give you my word I’ll be back,” she said with a delicious smile. Then, as she swung the door open, she stopped. “What makes you think my word is worth anything?” Her voice was heavy and serious.
