Page 104 of The Chase
“Funny. Look, I need to find out who dropped offSt. Joanto Christie’s. I have to ask them who they bought the painting from. Follow the provenance. I need to find out how anyone managed to bypass Christie’s security. The police suspect me.” I ran my fingers through my hair. “Me, of all people? I have to find out if it’s connected to those other heists—”
“You need to take a breath.”
“This is my life we’re talking about.”
“I respect that. My team’s on it.”
“What does that mean?”
“This is a delicate situation that must be handled with precision.”
“I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
“I know.” He shook his head wryly. “This is uncharted territory for you. I get that. My lawyers will talk with Christie’s legal team—”
“How did you get in?”
His gaze narrowed on me.
“Your timing is uncanny. After I let Sergeant Mitchel in, I locked my door. You got creative, didn’t you?”
He lowered his gaze.
“I’m not letting this go.” I folded my arms across my chest.
“You’ve got me.”
My breath stilted and my stomach flipped.
He raised his hands in surrender. “What gave me away? The report on how smart Icon is? How fit? Versatile? How brilliant and inventive he’s proving to be? How dastardly he is to outwit the entire British police force along with Interpol who are tight on his heels?” He gave a smile. “Not to mention the reports on how handsome he is.”
“This is serious. You know there’s no mention of what he looks like.”
“I confess. Somehow, in between running a billion-dollar company, landing my latest inventions and wooing you—”
“Toby!”
“—I’m just popping off to the Tate now, actually.” He neared me. “Let me know if you need anything. Nice little Rembrandt, maybe? How about a packet of Picasso-shaped gummy bears from the gallery store—”
I threw a tea towel at him, and he batted it away and laughed.
I crushed my body next to his and nuzzled in.
He wrapped his arms around me. “After nabbing those paintings, I hang them up in The Wilder and hope no one notices.”
I tickled his ribs. “Thank you for being here. Are you sure you want to be associated with me right now? Maybe Logan’s right?” I hated saying it.
“Of course I want to be here.” He looked pained. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“No.” I rose onto my toes and pressed my lips to his. “I was trying to protect you.”
“Zara.” He nudged me against the wall and crashed his lips on mine, stealing my breath and stunning me into stillness as he trapped me there with his body, all firm muscle and uncompromising strength, his tongue lashing mine fiercely, his mouth forcing mine wider, his cock pressing against my lower abdomen.
Arousal blindsided me and my core tightened, my sex milking as though he was already inside me. His firm fingers ripped at my blouse, sending buttons flying.
His sharp tug at my bra yanked the cup down to free my nipple for his mouth. My head struck the wall when that shock of pleasure hit, making me needy as I responded to his firm suckling, his nibbling exquisite, the way he caught it between his thumb and forefinger to ease its pertness. It felt like a cord was attached from there right to my sex.
My thoughts swirled with confusion, the dread of having the police here, St. Joannow missing and my world spinning out of control.
