Heart Shot (12 page)

Moments later Fin shouted, his hips snapped forward, thrusting her into the wall as he pumped deeper into her. With their bodies squashed together, she enjoyed the raw intensity of his orgasm, so similar yet different to her own. Her legs wobbled and she was pleased his grip remained on her waist and his body pressed along hers. She could have easily sunk to the floor, a mindless, quivering wreck.

They each caught their breath. Finally, Fin carefully, tenderly pulled his cock from her body. Emily got her bearings and found her feet, turning to push her back into the wall and stare at her lover with what she hoped wouldn’t be a soppy smile.

Without a word, Fin ran his hands gently over her, then cupped the water and rinsing her body. Together, slowly and with an air of casual intimacy, they cleaned each other from their passions.

Chapter Six

Emily turned the kettle on then stared sightlessly out of the kitchen window. Still damp from the shower, she had wrapped her robe around her and promised Fin tea when he urged her to join him in bed. Her heart felt warm and full, she couldn’t believe how lucky she was to have met him. Already her life felt brighter, complete with his presence.

There were always shadows though, but this time they were of her own making. Small memories were tarnishing what should have been a time when she could bask in the bloom of her first real, honest romance. She recalled how very annoyed James had been, that second time she’d turned down his contract.

“I’ll double the usual price, triple it. For fuck’s sake, Emily, what’s wrong with you? The man needs killing…”

She’d remained adamant, refused to kill him when she didn’t believe he was truly a traitor. In the end she’d been right, the target had been blackmailed and while he had done the deed, it had been under duress, a good man caught in an impossible situation. When the truth had come out—splashed across the tabloids and newspapers, no less—she and James had never raised the matter again.

Then there was his clear irritation at her wanting to reassess her work with him.

“You’re a natural, using your talents in the best possible way, what do you mean you want time to reassess your life…? We do so much good together, do you want to throw it all away because it doesn’t live up to your dream-like expectations?”

She still couldn’t believe James would want her dead for something as paltry as wanting to leave. Death being the only exit was a thing for over-heated novels, mafia-based conspiracy theories and the movies, not real life. But Fin’s point was a genuine one. So far, it was also the only even remotely logical reason she could think of for James wanting her dead.

The kettle boiled, drawing her attention away from her convoluted thoughts. She made them both a mug of tea and returned to the bedroom. Fin lay sprawled across her bed, blond hair mussed, superbly naked and still flushed from either the shower or their earlier lovemaking. She grinned as she set their drinks on the bedside table.

Climbing onto the bed, she then straddled him. Grinding down a little and rubbing herself against his warm crotch she enjoyed the moment. He lifted his hands and in a few short motions removed her robe. He cupped her breasts in his palms, toyed with her nipples. His fingers were wicked, dexterous and played her to perfection.

A low, approving moan escaped her lips. She fluttered her eyes closed and let her head fall. Her hair swayed against her naked back.

It would be the easiest and most delicious thing ever to let him take her again. Already she could feel the slow burn of desire knot in her stomach. Her breasts tingled, her clit ached to feel his touch. Wetness gathered in her pussy and she knew she could spend the rest of the afternoon—and every one thereafter—lost in this delicious man. Leaning forward, she pushed her palms against his chest. She splayed her fingers and caressed his soft, warm skin. With hot kisses, she tasted him, licking his lips and watching his pupils flare, desire and need heating his gaze until the sparks ignited between them.

“You look delicious there in my bed,” she said huskily. “Rumpled and tousled, ready for sin and pleasure. This isn’t the first time I’ve thought you embody wicked sex like some luscious fallen angel. But I can’t let you distract me again.”

“You’ve got something better in mind?” Fin teased, his look predatory and decidedly hungry. She shook her head and sat up. Moving away, she ended up sitting next to him on the large mattress.

“Not better, sadly. I’m going to call James, tell him I won’t take the job.”

“Okay,” Fin agreed. “He’s probably already guessed, but it won’t hurt for you to tell him. He’ll likely be expecting it.”

Emily gathered her courage. That had been the easy part. She’d wanted to lull Fin into feeling amiable, though she didn’t think anything she said would soften the rest of her plan.

“I also want to suggest we meet. It’s likely he’ll be annoyed when I turn this contract down, it should be fairly simple for me to set up a face-to-face with him.”

“Absolutely not,” Fin snapped, sitting up. “Are you insane? If I’m right the man has already tried to kill you once this week. Do you want to make it easy for him?”

“I’m not stupid,” she replied. “I’ll take precautions. If James is behind all this he’s gone to lengths to hide his involvement. Using hired thugs and snipers. He’s not going to get his hands dirty by killing me himself in public, in broad daylight. That’s not his way.”

“It depends on how badly he wants you out of the picture,” Fin said with a stubborn set to his face. Emily had to struggle to not smile. Fin might appear to the casual observer as a peacock of fashion, idle and a dabbler with more money than sense, but he could be remarkably obstinate, she had discovered. It didn’t surprise her as such, anyone who worked in espionage had to be dedicated and resilient, but it made her smile to see those lush lips and gorgeous jaw set in such annoyed lines.

“I’ll suggest we meet at Covent Garden Market,” she tried to placate him. “James will go for that, there are a million exits and entrances, plenty of safety. I can talk him into it, I’m sure.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about. It’s that he’ll be willing to do so and use the situation to his own advantage.” They were silent for a moment, both being stubborn. Fin capitulated first. “Fine. But I’m coming with you.”

Emily blinked. In an instant she should have realized he’d insist on that, but it honestly hadn’t occurred to her. Caught flat-footed, it took her a moment to stumble out a reply.

“There’s no way James will meet while another person—a stranger to him—is present. Don’t be ridiculous. You can wait here, or a few blocks away.”

She couldn’t say what was truly on her mind—that if James really did harbor ill toward her she didn’t want Fin within a mile of their meeting. Not just because she couldn’t focus if Fin was in danger, but because it would destroy her if harm came to him on her account. She couldn’t live with that.

“I do know how to be covert,” he insisted, frowning now. “I don’t see why I can’t linger nearby. This isn’t my first day on the job.”

Emily felt a shiver of apprehension. She had the impression he wasn’t going to let this go, not without getting his own way.

Damn stubborn man.

“I’m not calling your professionalism or your manhood into question.” She searched desperately for some way to get her point across. “This isn’t about you. It’s about me discovering if I’ve been used like some weapon. I need to know if I’ve been lied to, betrayed by the only person I thought I could trust.”

“And I’m not taking that from you. But you’re not alone anymore, Em. You have me. Damned if I’m going to let you walk into a trap with no backup. That isn’t how I work.”

“I don’t want you hurt, not on my account.”

Fin’s face softened. He sat up and cupped her cheek tenderly.

She sighed, turned her face to kiss his palm. The anger and tension seemed to seep from the room as if he had never been there.

“Would you let me walk into a trap, possibly risk my life just because I didn’t want you hurt?” he asked.

Emily’s shoulders fell, the fight draining out of her. “No. Never.”

“Then don’t ask me to do the same. I love you, Em. I know you can protect yourself, but it never hurts to have someone watching your back. I’ll keep my distance, but I refuse to let you go out there alone.”

“Okay. But if he hurts you, I swear to heaven I’ll hunt him down like a dirty dog.”

Fin grinned. “You took the words right out of my mouth, sweetheart.”

Emily lightly pressed his shoulders, pushing him back onto the bed. She followed him down and nipped a stinging, biting kiss to his chin.

“Did we just have our first argument?”

“If you’re offering make up sex I’m willing to concede that,” he grinned cheekily.

“I’m always up for a quickie,” she purred.

Reaching down to stroke his shaft, Emily intended to ramp up the simmering lust humming between them. But she glanced at Fin. His gaze were hot, but there was also a tenderness there she’d never witnessed with her previous lovers—a kindness, a level of intimacy that made her blush.

He ran his hands over her skin, the palms smooth and his fingertips tracing lines delicately. His cock grew in her fist, and despite her previous thought of a hot, hard coupling she found her touch gentle.

They moved in tandem, the lust and hunger fiery between them, but a new tune had been added too. Fin’s glance was almost adoring, something she’d never witnessed before. It made her simultaneously embarrassed and unbearably turned on. She never wanted to see disgust or hatred in those beautiful blue eyes.

He reached out and fumbled with the nightstand, then finally grabbed a foil packet. With a wicked grin she took it from his hand and scooted down his body, needing just a moment to breathe and remember they’d only known each other a short time.

It didn’t matter.

Emily could feel her heart swell. She knew this love, fast as it might be, would be with her forever. She sheathed him and tried to catch her breath.

“Hey, are you okay?” he murmured. Fin gently grasped her arms and drew her back up his body. Emily gazed at him, nervous about what he might see in her eyes, but refusing to be too cowardly to face him. She smiled and remained silent.

She answered him with her body instead.

Angling his cock, she adjusted him and thrust down upon his dick. He was hot, thick and seemed to fill not just her pussy, but her chest, her throat, her very self. Emily moved on him, but what had always been a sensual method to get physical release was now filled with hidden meaning.

Fin possessed her. Not just his shaft, but Emily could sense his essence, his soul twining with hers. She shook her head. Never one for whimsy she couldn’t believe the nonsense filling her mind right now. But she couldn’t deny it, so much more than the act of fucking was occurring.

“Kiss me, love,” Fin said.

Emily touched her lips to his and need exploded. They moved together faster and harder, their skin slapping together as something huge and unknown blossomed in her chest. Emily tried to close her mind to it, to focus on the fucking, the raw physical act.

But she knew it was too late.

She loved Fin. Wanted more with him and from him than she’d ever dreamed possible.

Desire knotted in her belly, her sensitive, raw flesh hummed as they moved against each other. And all too soon she felt that shimmering peak just come within reach. Fin stroked her clit and the world exploded. She came hard, clenching around his cock and shuddering as something deep within her broke loose.

The thought terrified her, but Emily knew she’d given him her heart.

Fin wrapped his arms tightly around her and she struggled not to cry.

He held her, not saying a word. She knew he couldn’t possibly have read her mind, but just as she’d been able to read his gaze, she worried he might have seen far too much in hers. They snuggled together. She caught her breath and tried to mentally shake some sense into herself.

There was still work to do.

Emily kissed him, hot and hard. Pulling away, she then moved to the bedside table, reached past Fin’s snazzy android phone and picked up her smaller, battered throw-away mobile. She yelped as Fin grabbed her naked arse and gave it a squeeze. She slapped her free hand out at him, batting him away.

“It’s not an invitation every time I bend over,” she chuckled, dialing James’ number.

“It sure looks like one to me, sweetheart,” he leered.

Emily hushed him as the phone rang.

“Yes?” James answered.

“It’s Emily. I’ve been looking into our client and I can’t find any basis for your thoughts. I’m declining.”

“What? Dammit, Emily, I thought for once you’d bloody well—” James cut himself off, clearly struggling to keep his annoyance in check. She heard him suck in a breath. It didn’t take much imagination to know he was reining in his temper. “Emily. I know he looks like Mr. Clean Cut from the outside, but you’re going to have to trust me on this. Keyton Marshall is dirty. His image and good reputation highlight why he’s untouchable. You can’t begin to believe the damage he can do to our nation. He needs to be taken out.”

“I don’t agree. He loves this country and has far too much to lose to switch sides.”

“That’s part of the thrill for men like this. Look, have I ever led you wrong? You know I can look far deeper than you can into these sorts of things. You need to believe me.”

“Well…” Emily pretended to hesitate a minute, her brain working feverishly. “Do you have evidence, something you can’t send via email or text, but would convince me?”

“Yes. Absolutely.”

“Okay, then let’s meet.” Emily stared out of her bedroom window at the gray afternoon, the sun struggling to shine between the clouds. She couldn’t look at Fin, worried it would distract her.

“Perfect. Fine. I can do that, where are you?”

“London,” she remained purposely vague, then hurried on. “How about Covent Garden Market? You’ve told me you often take a late afternoon stroll around there, is that right?”