She stilled the movement. He hadn’t touched her arms. And he was too damned smart when it came to picking up clues to stuff.
“Is he the reason you’re always rubbing at your arms as though you’re trying to wipe away something dirty?”
Damn, damn, damn. She glared back at him. “I get cold easily, and sometimes you make me nervous.”
His lips thinned. “Don’t lie to me, Emily. I don’t like it.”
He would dislike the truth even more.
Emily sighed. “I dropped my wine. And aren’t we here for a reason?”
“A reason that I’m beginning to believe is fucking stupid,” he snapped. “No one can make a move in this crowd, and definitely no one intent on a kidnapping.”
“We could find a tree to prop up,” she suggested, fighting the nerves building within her.
“You’re making me crazy.” He sighed then, lowering his forehead to hers as his hands slid over her hips, his fingers gripping them firmly, holding her against him.
“No, that’s the people here,” she whispered, trying to inject just a little humor into the situation. “All those pesky women wanting a piece of you. I’ve heard it makes a man a little tense.”
“One of these days, I really am going to paddle your ass for being so stubborn,” he whispered.
Her rear clenched at the thought of the pleasure that could bring.
“So you keep saying,” she whispered back, a real smile tugging at her lips. “I think you’re too scared I’ll like it.”
“I know you’ll like it.” His lips lowered to her neck. “A lot.”
Emily inhaled roughly as his lips slid over her neck, his tongue licking, stroking.
“Kell.” She was breathing heavily now. “Umm, maybe we should mingle some more.”
If one was going to protest, then she really shouldn’t tilt her neck to the side to give him greater access to sensitive flesh. But that was what she did, her lashes fluttering as she struggled to keep them open against the pleasure suddenly rising inside her.
She loved it when he touched her, reveled in it, craved it. It was the culmination of every dream, every fantasy, she had ever known.
“Maybe,” he growled into her neck a second before sharp teeth nipped with erotic heat. “In a minute.”
He licked the little sting as she flowed against him, her body softening, moving against him, feeling the desire rising hot and fast inside her.
Between her thighs, she could feel her flesh heating, preparing her for him. Just that fast and easy. And now, if the world would just work with her a little here, and give her just a few minutes to enjoy this.
But it seemed the world working against her had other ideas.
Kell stiffened, his head rising dangerously as he turned protectively, glaring as the brush rustled and a feminine figure slipped inside their hiding place.
“Problems,” Kira whispered, grimacing as she glanced at Emily. “Reno and the guys outside just busted the cutest little South American assassin. All scars and nasty threats. He says Mr. White isn’t here. I think Judas might have duped us.”
Emily tensed, pressing her head against Kell’s back as Kira gave the report.
“Let’s get the hell out of here,” Kell snarled, wrapping his arm around Emily’s back and pulling her closer to his side. “Where’s Ian?”
“On the other side.” She jerked her head toward the brush. “He wasn’t about to interrupt you.”
Kell reached into his pocket, pulling free the small radio and ear clip. Putting it in place, he turned it on.
“Macey, are you there? We’re heading out, bring the limo around.”
Disconnecting the ear clip, he pocketed the radio once again and headed back into the garden before turning and advancing toward the house. Kira walked ahead of them, with Ian pulling in behind Kell.