Photo Finish (3 page)

A gravelly chuckle sounded in her ear. “I know what you’re thinking, but anything you try will only slow me down, and I’m already angry enough to paddle your ass ‘til it glows red.” He blew a heated breath across her earlobe coiling a knot in her belly. “Now do as I say and let’s move. Tate’s men are already in the house.”

Paige thought about resisting until a boot scuffed on the hardwood floor outside the office. She grabbed the computer, shoved it in the backpack lying beside the desk and headed for the doors, her mystery man hot on her heels. She wanted to see his face, but when she twisted around, he plastered his chest to her back, holding her tight.

“Soon. Now go.”

The urgent quality in his voice had her darting out the door and across the lawn. She vaulted over the fence, the pack slung across her back and ran to the motorcycle, skidding to a halt when she found him already seated on it, helmet on, engine idling.

“How…?”

“Get on!” he said, tossing her another helmet.

Paige caught it and glanced back across her shoulder in the direction of the house, indecision weighing heavy in her chest. Her instincts told her she could trust the guy, but the situation screamed for her just to run. She looked over at him, wishing she could see through the dark visor, before slipping on the helmet and jumping on the bike behind him. The scent of wood and leather filtered through the air, stealing her breath. She reached behind her to grab the small bar when he revved the machine and took off, hurtling through the night air.

Paige muffled a scream and wrapped her arms around his waist, plastering her body against his. She thought she heard him moan, but the sound mixed with the howling of the wind.

“What the hell have I just done?” She squeezed tighter when he banked the Honda into a hard turn, nearly touching their knees to the pavement.

The guy was large, more muscular than Brogan had been, and another pang moved through her.

“Hold on. It’s going to get bumpy.”

His voice sounded irritated, and she couldn’t help but wonder why he’d bothered to help her when the prospect obviously angered him. She shifted back, determined to loosen her grip when he left the pavement behind and steered them onto an old gravel road. The cycle bounced around on the uneven ground and Paige had to squeeze his chest for balance. He made another groaning noise, but all she could do was close her eyes and hold on tight.

Brogan pulled up to the old cabin, cursing with every breath. He could feel Paige shaking behind him, whether from fear or the rough ride, he wasn’t sure, but the tiny movements were like knives to his soul. He shouldn’t be there, not with her…not when he’d vowed to take down Tate at any expense. Hell, hadn’t he already suffered through losing her once? Indecision curdled his gut, but it was too late now. No matter what the cost of his actions, he couldn’t stand by and allow Tate to kill her…or worse.

Shivers ignited along his arm as she used it to lever herself off the bike, grabbing the case strung on the back and stumbling a few steps away as she fought to regain her balance. He watched her through the tinted glass, wondering how he’d ever had the strength to walk away all those months before, when she took off the helmet and shook her head. He could just see her features in the reflected glow of the headlights. She was beautiful, with two spiky pigtails on each side of her head, and her mouth pulled in to a delectable pout. He loved the way she furrowed her brow when she was irritated and instantly wanted to smooth the crinkly lines away with his lips.

A moan ignited deep in his chest and he had to fight to keep it from bubbling free. He could tell from the way she pushed one hip out to the side and cocked her head slightly, that she was waiting for him to remove his helmet, but he wasn’t sure what to do. He thought about revving the engine and leaving, praying she wouldn’t be able to find a way back until the deal was over, but all it took was one look into her eyes to realize he wasn’t going anywhere.

Brogan took a deep breath and pulled the helmet over his head. Anticipation warred with fear as he clenched his jaw and turned to face her, his gaze clashing with hers. She watched him, her eyes drinking in every detail until a single tear pooled and slipped free. Pain erupted in his chest and he pushed to his feet, tossing the helmet to the ground.

“It is…” Her voice faded as she watched him dismount, shaking her head as she clutched the case to her chest.

Brogan stilled and shoved his hands in his pockets. “Paige—”

She raised her hand, and glared at him, a hint of the wildcat back in her eyes. A deep blush flushed her skin, accentuating her high cheekbones and the long line of her throat as the red color laced down her neck and across the top of her chest, disappearing beneath the open vee of her shirt. He tried to concentrate on the anger glittering in her eyes, but he couldn’t take his gaze off the sensual swell of creamy skin. It felt like a lifetime since he’d caressed that soft skin and he wanted nothing more than to run his hands over her body and rediscover every delicious dip and curve.

Paige simply stared at him, betrayal marring her expression. She finally walked toward the cabin, holding up her hand again when he stepped in the same direction.

“I need some time.” She rubbed the tears from her cheek. “It’s the least you owe me.”

Brogan could only nod as she stomped up the three steps and disappeared inside, slamming the old door shut with enough force that the entire porch creaked in protest. He moved back to the bike and shut the thing down, feeling his heart die along with the sound of the engine. He’d most likely blown his cover, ruined six months of deep undercover work and all he could think about was how the hell he was going to get Paige to forgive him.

He looked at the cabin, watching her shadow move around the small space. There were only two rooms, the bathroom and everything else. He drew a deep breath and headed for the door. She was going to rip a strip off him no matter how long he waited, and he couldn’t afford to lose one more moment without her wrapped in his arms. He had one last night with her, and he wasn’t going to waste it.

He fisted the handle and pulled, stepping into the room in one determined stride, only to duck as a book flew at his head, impacting the door with a resounding thud. Another hit him square in the chest, and he reeled backwards into the wall before regaining his balance.

“Jesus, Paige, what the hell?”

He looked up and his anger died on his tongue. She was standing beside her computer, his image covering the screen. Tears marred her pale blue eyes and he could see her hands trembling at her sides. She reached for another book, but stomped her foot instead and turned away. Her back trembled once as she choked back a sob, before he heard her draw a shuddering breath.

Brogan sighed. He’d never been the romantic type, and if ever he needed soothing words and sultry advances, it was now. He crossed his arms on his chest, gauging if she was done throwing things at him, as he tried to ignore the way his dick jumped in his pants. He hadn’t given himself so much as a hand-job since leaving her, and the damn thing seemed ready to burst. The light scent of her perfume drifted across the room, edging his arousal higher. It was the same brand she’d always worn, and the instant reminder of their life together stole the last of his good sense.

Brogan set his jaw and covered the distance between them, grabbing her by the shoulders and spinning her around. Her surprised gasp was all he needed to gain entry to her mouth as he palmed his other hand across the back of her neck and pulled her tight, molding her lips to his.

A mixture of chocolate and berry-flavored tea flirted with his tongue as he traced every contour, swallowing the soft murmurs that matched the rapid beating of his heart. Her fingers scratched his scalp as she traced one hand across his head while the other closed around his shirt.

He ravaged her mouth, wanting to go gently but too caught up in his need to hold back. He’d spent every day wishing the circumstances could have be different…that he could have taken her with him, but completely aware that the only way to save her was to hurt her.

Paige drew a deep breath when he finally released her. He didn’t want to waste what little time they had talking, not when he could smell the sweet, earthy scent of her arousal drifting up to him.

“Brogan, we—”

He silenced her with a brush of his tongue. “I know you want answers.” He inhaled, moaning at the combined aroma that had plagued his dreams for months. “Please, Paige. Just let me love you—just once—then I’ll tell you everything.”

Paige glanced over at her computer, staring at his image before looking back, new tears glistening in her eyes. She quirked her lips into a sexy half smile as she drew a solitary finger along his jaw. “How am I supposed to say no when it’s all I’ve wished for?”

He dropped a kiss on her nose, brushing some stray hairs back from her face. “You’re not.” He traced a line down her arm. “Now why don’t I show you all the naughty ways I’ve dreamt of fucking you?”

Paige moaned as he picked her up and carried her to a large table a few steps away. The bed looked slightly more comfortable, but he didn’t think his cock could wait the extra five steps. The wood groaned as he slid her ass across the surface, wedging her thighs around his. His fingers worked her zipper down before moving to her shoulders. The leather felt smooth against his hands as he brushed the material back until it pooled around her wrists.

“You’re just so damn beautiful,” he whispered, running his fingertips along her jaw, reveling in the silky texture of her skin. “I never thought…”

He pulled her hair free and sank one hand into the thick mass, wrapping the short locks around his fingers. Paige tilted her head, granting him access to the sweet spot where her neck threaded into her shoulder as he tugged on the strands, preventing her from moving.

“Do you have any idea how many times I’ve imagined you like this?” he rasped, nipping at her skin, growling at the husky cry that rumbled from her chest into his. “I promise you, before the night is through, I’ll make sure you know what it feels like to be completely at my mercy.”

Her pulse quickened at his words and he licked the fluttering patch of skin, loving how her arms remained trapped beside her, held in place by the tight bind of her leather jacket. She tried to shake the garment free, but he placed his fingers over hers, keeping her hands palmed on the table.

“I think you like the idea of me controlling you.” He nibbled his way up her jaw until his lips brushed hers. “Soon. First, I just want to love you.”

A single tear cascaded down her check and he licked it away, humming against her skin as the salty essence humbled him. He pressed his lips to hers, loving how she opened instantly for him, her tongue darting out to meet his. He captured her soft sigh as she relaxed in his hold, finally freeing her arms enough to press one against his chest as the other snaked around his neck, pulling him closer. Her breath feathered across his mouth when he finally released her, touching his forehead to hers.

“I want to go slow,” he said, moaning when her fingernail flicked the tip of his nipple, sending more blood to his rock-hard cock. “But I need you too badly.” He breathed in her next breath, lingering in the scent of chocolate and woman. “Naked. Now.”

Paige complied, smoothing her hands over his shoulders until his jacket fell with a loud clank on the floor. His shirt followed next, the seam in the neck ripping slightly when she yanked it over his head. She moved to his zipper, but he stopped her, shaking a single finger at her as he raised an eyebrow and swept his gaze the length of her body. The deep flush returned when she realized he wanted her naked first.

He reached forward and fisted the hem of her shirt. The fabric rustled along her skin, heightening his arousal as he pulled it over her head and tossed it behind him. A white lace bra hid the perfection of her breasts, but he could see her taut nipples straining against the material. He paused to pinch one through the lace before moving both hands to the waistband of her jeans. The zipper made a sharp hissing sound as he wrenched it open and tugged, nearly pulling her off the table in an effort to rid her of the tight denim. Her eyes widened at the sound of a few of the seams straining against the pressure, but softened when he grabbed the cuffs and threw the jeans behind him, wedging himself between her legs again.

Brogan’s breath jammed in his chest as he stared at the perfectly smooth flesh of her pussy. She’d always kept a patch of hair for him and had surprised him with different patterns shaved into the stubble. But there was nothing but pink, pouting flesh between her thighs, and the sight of her arousal glistening on her bare skin weakened his knees.

He moved one hand to the edge of her sex, drawing his finger along the crease of her inner thighs. Paige moaned and tilted her hips, obviously hoping he’d follow her hint and touch her clit, but he was too fascinated by the velvety texture beneath his fingers.

“I’ve never touched anything so soft,” he murmured, testing the apex of her nether lips. “I can’t wait to feel it slide beneath my tongue.”

He groaned as the simple words creamed more juice along her folds, bathing the room with the warm scent of her arousal. It was sweeter than the light essence he’d detected earlier, and he felt his lips turn up into a smug smile at the thought of licking her clean.

“God, you’re so wet,” he mused, gathering some of her cream on his finger. “It’s practically dripping down your legs,” he said, sucking the juice off. A splash of sweet honeyed spice and earthy musk exploded on his tongue, and he dropped his head back as he savored the delectable treat.

“So do something about it,” she challenged.

She smiled at the way his head snapped back and his cock jumped against his zipper.

“Unless you’d like me to take of that…” she nodded at his crotch, “first.”

“There’s nothing I’d like more than to see that pretty mouth of yours wrapped around my cock, baby, but I’ve been inhaling your sweet scent for far too long to give you first dibs at tasting an orgasm.”