Page 45 of Rhys

His stomach dropped. Had his misread things the other night?

No. He’d seen the way she looked at him. She wanted him every bit as much as he did her.

Then why is she apologizing?

“What are you sorry for?” Rhys held his breath and waited.

“For before.” A wave of regret fell over her. “I never wanted…I never meant to hurt you. But I know that I did.”

Oh. That.

Relieved she wasn’t about to end things before they’d had the chance to begin again, Rhys lifted the corners of his lips and pulled her back into his arms. “It’s water under the bridge, Ness. You don’t have to keep apologizing.”

“Really?” Hope filled those emerald eyes. “Because I’m done with the CIA. This job…it was supposed to be my last assignment. And with the way everything went down, there’s no way I can go back, even if I wanted to.”

“Okay.”

“I’m telling you this because I need you to know…I’m not going anywhere this time.” Her throat worked with a hard swallow. “That is, not unless you want me to.”

Ah, baby.

He got it now. He really did. She had orders and was just doing her job. Meeting him wasn’t planned. Neither was the two of them falling in love.

It sucked and knowing the truth didn’t erase the last two years’ worth of pain, but like he’d said…that was their past. Right here, right now, all Rhys wanted to focus on was their future.

As for her going someplace else, well…

The only place I want her to go is my bed.

Rhys brushed some hair from her eyes, praying she saw the truth there when he told her, “I don’t want you going anywhere. Not ever again.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. “Not unless it’s with me.”

“Rhys…”

“If you don’t want this, tell me.” He pulled back far enough to meet her heated gaze. “If you want me to stop, all you have to do is say the words.”

“I don’t want you to stop.” She rose up onto her tiptoes and nibbled his bottom lip. “Please, Rhys. Please, don’t stop.”

It was all he needed to hear.

Careful of her shoulder, he lifted her into his arms and slammed his mouth to hers. Vanessa held onto his shoulders and wrapped her legs around his waist as he carried her across the open space toward his bedroom.

His heart pounded against his ribs, the desperation in her kiss matching his own. And when they reached the bed, and he gently laid her down onto the mattress, she went straight to work stripping off her clothes.

Alrighty, then.

“I was going to go slow, but…” He reached behind him, grabbing hold of the back of his shirt. In one swift motion, he pulled it up over his head and off of his arms, tossing the garment onto the floor beside him.

Next came his jeans, first the button and then the zipper. And by the time he’d removed those, his boxer, and socks, Vanessa was lying before him in all her natural, naked glory.

Breath caught in his throat, he stared down at the glorious offering before him.

“God, you’re beautiful,” he rasped before joining her on the bed.

Balancing himself on one knee, Rhys lifted a hand to her face as he hovered over her perfect form. Brushing her soft, flushed skin with the back of his hand, he drew it downward slowly, tracing the delicate line of her jaw.

“This doesn’t seem real.” He stared down at her in awe. “I can’t believe you’re actually here.”

Bringing her right hand up to his face, Vanessa pressed her palm against his dark scruff and cupped his cheek. “I’m here, Rhys.” She kissed him softly, that same hand sliding between them and grabbing hold of his hard, swollen cock. “I’m real, and I’m right here.”

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