Page 115 of Passionate Defense

Chapter 26

AS LANIE LET HERSELFin, she was pleasantly surprised 1508 wasn’t merely a room but a suite. Immediately crossing to the floor-to-ceiling windows, she looked out at Boston glittering beneath her feet. It was beautiful.

She turned to survey their accommodations for the night. Soft golden light spilled from shaded floor lamps, casting a warm glow on the high-end furniture—button-tufted beige and blue velvet couches and polished wood accent tables. As hotel rooms went, it was elegant and surprisingly cozy, but it wasn’t home.

“Ethan?” Since he wasn’t in the living room or the small galley kitchen, she started toward the bedroom. After only a step, Lanie kicked off her shoes and let out a groan as her feet, tortured in heels all day, sank into the plush carpet. The room was nice, but the carpet was glorious.

In the dark bedroom, she searched for a wall switch. When her hand encountered warm skin and hard muscle instead, she jumped back. Strong fingers encircled her wrist and spun her around. Held with her arms behind her back, a hand slid over her belly, palm flat and fingers splayed. His voice was husky in her ear.

“You’re late, Miss Langston. Not a smart move for a woman who needs government favors to survive.”

She stood still, sifting through his clues to figure out her role in this.

“Nothing to say? I have ways of making you talk.”

It took all her willpower not to burst into laughter at the classic, albeit cheesy line, but she maintained her composure and it fell into place. Spy games. A plan came together in her head.

With mock indignation, she replied, “Nevah vill I tolk, Yankee Peeg.”

She silently groaned at her cringeworthy Russian accent. Behind her, Ethan made a choking sound, and she could imagine the humor twinkling in his eyes. But in for a penny, in for a pound, she started down this path and needed to see it through or risk ruining the game. So Russian spy she would be.

He moved her toward the massive four-poster bed that dominated the space. Stopping at the foot, he bound her wrists with fleece-lined leather cuffs and secured them to straps already attached to the wooden posts. She didn’t resist him physically. A sexy wrestling match might disturb the guests on either side of them. Instead, she’d engage in a battle of wits with him, especially curious about his interrogation techniques.

“Oh, you’ll talk, little spy. I’m familiar with this body and we both know I can make it sing. We’ll see how long you can hold out.”

She felt him ease down the zipper on her skirt. He hooked his thumbs into her waistband and tugged it down her legs.

His soft hum of approval reached her ears. It must be the lace-topped stockings and garter belt she wore. Usually she went without hose. She smiled, appreciating her timing.

“Who are these for?” he asked, as he explored the sheer nylon, his fingers sweeping slowly from ankle to mid-thigh. “A lover? Maybe another mark you’re playing like you played me?”

He peeled down her panties, letting them fall to her ankles. Kneeling behind her, he licked her right cheek with a long, hot glide of his tongue. When his teeth nipped her flesh, she squeaked in surprise. As he laved gently to soothe the pain, his fingers slid between her thighs and found her entrance, dipping easily into her wetness.

“You’re making this too easy for me.” He circled her clit, his touch fleeting and teasing before it was gone.

Ethan rose, and she heard him moving around behind her for several minutes. She twisted, trying to see what he was up to, but the room was in shadows and she couldn’t see clearly. When he returned, he crouched behind her, his warm fingers brushing her ankles as he bound her legs with cuffs and straps to the posts. When he was done, Lanie was in a standing spread eagle and at his mercy.

He ducked under her arm and sat on the bed in front of her; his hands glided over her silk blouse. Her nipples had been hard since she walked in. Naturally, he noticed, lightly pinching them through the fabric until she was breathing hard, before undoing her buttons.

“Anything to say? Regrets, maybe, for professing your undying love for me while you stole state secrets and sold them behind my back?”

“You’re mistaken. I regret nothing.”

“Who are you working for?”

She clammed up tight, turning her head away.

“Who leaked the mission plans to the enemy?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. Release me.”

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