Page 63 of Built of Illusions

Sam grunted. “Or until something happens to change the plan.”

It took another thirty minutes until the details were hammered out and everyone was sure of their role. Nico hadn’t been happy when Josie had stated she was going to be in the group outside, but he hadn’t argued with her.

Tansy wanted to run a check on her holograms so she and Sam took the first watch. Everyone else headed up to bed. If they were all to be in place well before dawn, it was going to be a short night.

As soon as the door closed behind them, she and Nico launched themselves at each other. They’d been apart far too long and her body had been revving since he’d arrived.

Soon they were a tangle of need. Lips, teeth, and hands touching everything they could reach.

Nico lifted her flowy skirt and eased her back against the door. His hands ran from her panties up to her bra and back again. He broke the kiss and trailed his mouth along her neck as his hands continued to move. “Have I mentioned I love the fact that you wear dresses?”

She laughed as her hands scrabbled with the buttons of his shirt. “Your suits are hot as hell, but right now, I want this one off.”

He didn’t cooperate, but she couldn’t complain because his hands were doing some very, very good things.

“You make fun of my suits.”

Whatever she’d been about to reply disappeared into a moan of need as one of Nico’s hands disappeared into her panties.

His finger brushed her gently and her head thumped against the door.

“You’re gorgeous, Josie. Inside and outside.”

His hand kept working, and his mouth travelled down her neck to the top of her dress. His tongue dipped beneath the fabric as his finger found her clit and set a pace that had her moaning and trembling.

“Let go, Josie. Let go for me.”

His whispered growl had her body doing exactly that instinctively. He covered her cry with his mouth and she let the sensations consume her.

When she finally opened her eyes again, she found herself flat on her back on the bed. Nico stood beside the bed, shucking clothes efficiently. Of course, he didn’t toss them, but folded them quickly and put them on a chair.

He stalked toward her, naked, and the teasing comment she’d planned died in her throat. The man was gorgeous in every single way. Strong. Steady. Compassionate. Smart as hell. She wanted to lick him like a lollipop. From head to toe, with a stop at all the interesting spots in between.

When his eyebrow shot upward, she realized she’d spoken aloud.

His grin widened as he crawled up the bed toward her. “That sounds like a hell of a plan, but why don’t we save that for round two? You start licking now and I’m going to embarrass myself.”

“Well, we wouldn’t want that.”

When he kissed her, it tasted like a smile.

It also tasted like love.

Chapter 21

I'd Have To Kill You

Nico was damn glad Sam had bought a whole set of winter gear for working with clients at Midnight Security. The jackets and boots were white and warm and came in various sizes.

Josie and Bella had been discussing ways to make a better design for the camouflage. He wouldn’t be surprised if they had a viable product to sell within the month. Josie would have another income stream, which he knew she’d appreciate.

For now, they all hoped the white would be enough to camouflage them in the treed area. From all reports, Adrian Nelson had never spent much time in winter. If he was planning a middle of the night or early morning attack, he’d likely be dressed wrong.

People used to warmer climates assumed winter was dark, but the snow meant it was often far brighter at night than they expected. Nelson would probably dress in dark clothes, making him easier to spot.

The sun wouldn’t rise until around seven-thirty, but they had been in place two hours before that. If Nelson did plan an early morning reconnaissance, they’d get him.

Being still for so long was difficult. Graham had taken them all through ways to keep their muscles from getting stiff and cold.

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