Page 31 of Operation: Fire Bomb

Slimy bastard, I think, as I reach for Lake’s hand again and we follow Hulk back down to the main floor. He guides us behind a velvet rope and to a private table in the corner, but within clear view of Caruso. I can feel his eyes on us and give him the show he wants, popping the champagne and pouring some into the two flutes.

Lifting my glass, I say, “Caruso is a liar.” Then I tap it against Lake’s and pretend to take a sip.

“How do you know?” she asks and takes a real drink of hers.

“I can read people pretty damn well, Red.” My gaze moves to the brown wig she’s wearing and I stifle a frown. I would much rather see her copper curls.

“Something you learned when you were in Delta Force?” she asks. Strobe lights begin flashing and her entire face lights up.

“Delta helped hone and refine it, but it’s always been a skill.” I press a finger against my earpiece. “Sailor and Maddox, report.”

While Lake continues drinking the expensive champagne, Sailor and Maddox tell me their current positions.

“These fucking strobe lights are giving me a headache,” Maddox grumbles.

“FYI, Caruso has eyes on you,” Sailor informs me, and I look up at the tinted window. Every time the light flashes just right, I get a glimpse of his shadow. And, she’s right. He’s watching me and Lake. Like a fucking hawk.

“Maybe look like you’re having fun for once in your life, Slater,” Maddox suggests.

“Go dance,” Sailor says.

“Roger. Let’s rendezvous in the back alley in ten minutes.” I turn my attention back to Lake, praying for the self-control I’m going to need in a minute and say, “Let’s go dance.”

Chapter Twelve: Lake

“Dance?” I echo dubiously.

Dash is already pushing his chair back so I down the rest of my champagne, stand up and follow him out of the V.I.P. section and toward the packed dance floor. He grabs my hand, pulling me forward, and we’re instantly swallowed up in a sea of people. Sweating, gyrating bodies surround us and Dash doesn’t stop until we’re practically in the center of everyone.

The music is a pulsating, hypnotic beat, the energy around us electric as Dash slides an arm around my waist and pulls me against his body.Oh, God.Beneath that suit, it’s all hard planes and firm edges, and I try not to look awkward as I slide my hands over his broad shoulders.

He wants you to put on a show for Caruso,I remind myself. This isn’t the time to hesitate or be timid. Burying my preschool teacher persona deep, I strive for sexy clubber, tapping into my provocative outfit for inspiration.

Dash’s hands slide around to settle on my hips and I begin to move them back and forth, finding the beat of the music and the rhythm of our bodies which begin to sway together. Mustering up my confidence, I look up and meet his gaze.Like molten teal.Desire slams through me and I swallow hard when I see a muscle flex in his cheek.

He’s holding himself back, but that’s not what I want. I want him to let go, something he probably rarely does, and justfeel. Live in this sensuous moment with me, surrounded by hundreds of people, all moving together with the seductive, pounding music.

Without thinking, I glide my fingers through the hair at the nape of his neck. It seems a little too long for someone as serious as him, just touching the edge of his starched collar, and I drag my fingers through it.I flipping love it.It makes me think he’s not as uptight and conservative as he sometimes pretends. That somewhere beneath that calm surface, there’s a man who has a wilder, more free side. We barely blink, gazes locked and loaded, and my attention drops to his lips. They’re not too full or too thin, and they look soft and inviting. Ready to be kissed.

Dash pulls my attention from his face to his body when he moves a leg between mine and his fingers grip my hips harder, dragging me forward, up onto my toes, until my breasts crush against his chest and I’m practically straddling his thigh. I draw in a sharp breath then slowly ease down until my center makes contact with his upper thigh. When he begins guiding the movement of my hips, encouraging me to rub against him, my lips part and, I swear to God, I don’t know whether I’m going to pass out or experience my first orgasm from a man.

I’ve never been lost in such a seductive, hazy moment and everything around us falls away. My lower body is throbbing and I gyrate my pelvis, grinding down against his leg, letting my shame drift away on the crowded dance floor. A machine pumps a cloud of smoke into the air and no one can see what’s happening below our shoulders.

Only we know.

Oh. My. God.

He pulls me impossibly closer, pushing harder against my wet core, encouraging me. “Don’t stop,” he orders, sliding his hands around to cup my ass and squeeze. He’s guiding my hips, applying just the right amount of pressure, and I let out a small gasp which is immediately swallowed up in the steady beat of the music. Pleasure begins to build through me as the friction escalates into a low, steady pulsing. My breathing increases and my nails dig into the back of his neck. Hard. Licking my lips, my mouth opens and the intensity ratchets up a level when he leans down and flicks his tongue over the shell of my ear.

“Get there,” he whispers, his warm lips brushing my ear.

Then his mouth glides across the curve of my jaw and, right as my lower body tightens, the fire explodes on stage again and a cry slips from my throat. Dash captures my lips, absorbing my cry and kissing me deeply.Jesus. I’ve never been so lost in sensation like this and my eyes slide shut as I moan into his mouth.

He tastes minty when I’m expecting champagne. But, no, he probably didn’t drink it. Dash is working right now.Isn’t he?I wonder as his tongue slides past my lips and moves against mine.

His hips grind against me and there’s no ignoring the very large, hard bulge in his pants. I push against his massive erection and he groans in my mouth.

“Fuck,” he hisses, finally pulling back. A fire blazes in his teal eyes. Or maybe it’s just the flashing lights. I have no idea, but one thing is clear: I’m ready to give myself over to him right here on the dance floor.

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