Page 106 of Killer Secrets (Tempting SEALs 5)

"And you were nude?" he gritted out.

Her brow lifted. "Pretty much. And you're not going to make any completely irrational remarks either, are you? Because we both know those little submissive lovers you took from the fringe clubs in Atlanta weren't exactly for a platonic relationship."

He felt his lip want to curl on a snarl and barely held it back. He might have to kill Randolph whether he was involved or not if he had seen Kira naked.

"Get over it, Ian." She shook her head impatiently, though a smile tugged at her lips. "I promise, it was before I met you."

That didn't help.

"What about Alloran?" he asked. He had to get his mind off her being on a nudist beach.

"Alloran is old money as well, royal blood on both the French and English sides. Some kind of distant cousin of a cousin to the Queen of England." Her frown deepened. "I would have never considered him. What sort of parameters did Macey base his list on?"

"I didn't have time to find out," he said, grimacing. "The cells are secured but I don't want to take any chances. I disconnected before there was a chance of a trace."

She nodded in understanding before glancing at the balcony door. "I need to go to the villa, talk to him and Tehya as well. I've socialized with these men, known them for most of my life actually. My father was on friendly terms with Lorraine, and had done business with the other two. I may be able to help narrow the search."

It made sense, but he'd be damned if he wanted her out of his sight.

"Have Daniel drive over and pick you up, let's make it look good." If she were seen slipping to the villa she had leased, it could be viewed suspiciously, and lead Sorrell straight to Tehya.

"I'll call him." She nodded, her gaze sharpening. "What will you be doing?"

"Attempting not to strangle Diego," he grunted. "He's like a damned spoiled-ass brat. How the hell he managed to hold a cartel of this size together confounds me at times."

"You demanded control to return, and you're not playing nice with him as far as he's concerned. He's picking at you, trying to get your attention." And his affection. Ian heard it in her voice though she was wise enough not to put it into words.

He shrugged as though the observation made no difference.

"Get over there and see what else you can figure out," he told her. "And watch your ass."

He strode over to her then, one hand cupping her face, lifting her chin as the other wrapped around her waist and pulled her to his harder, aroused body.

"I'll be careful." That breathless quality in her voice tightened his balls. Damn her, she affected him like nothing or no one else ever had.

Her hand slid up his arms, gripped his biceps. Sharp little nails pricked into his flesh and reminded him of the scratches on his back that she had placed there the night before.

"Make sure you're more than careful." He lowered his lips to hers, took a stinging kiss, and pulled back before the need rocketing his mind could get out of control. "Signal my cell when you get there."

Then she reached up with one hand, her fingers touching his cheek, then his lips. "You be careful."

He grinned. She could make him feel lighter, he liked that. When she looked at him, soft and sensual like that, something inside him loosened, the tension that had been destroying him lightened.

"I'll send Deke with you and Daniel," he decided as the warmth in her gaze sank into his soul, heating him, reminding him of everything he had to lose if he lost Kira. "I want you protected, Kira, let me do that."

He could see the protest in her expression and he didn't want to fight her over it. He didn't want to have to force her to allow him to keep his mind clear right now.

She shook her head, but her smile was accepting. "Fine, I'll take Deke with me. But we're going to discuss this attitude of yours later."

"You can chew my ass to hell and back later," he promised, stepping back from her. "I'll question Muriel and see what I can find out there."

He should have just killed him, he had meant to, knew it was the best route to take. Holding him meant giving him a chance to escape and possibly learning where Tehya was hidden.

"Hey." He caught her as she moved to pulled back from him, his mind and his heart struggling, a part of him aching to whisper the words, another part holding back.

"I promise to be careful." She lifted to him, touched her lips to his, and stared into his eyes. "I love you, Ian."

One kiss. Just one kiss, and he could let her go. Deep, hungry, a kiss that dragged a moan from her throat and had him fighting to keep from throwing her to the bed and hearing her screams again.

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