Page 61 of Zain

He brought his mouth down on hers and kissed her, letting her taste her own tantalizing flavors. It was erotic enough to make his head combust. Pulling away, he placed a kiss to her cheek.

Dana stared up at him, her breathtaking blue eyes heavy-lidded and sultry. Some of her mascara had smeared at the corners of her eyes, and her hair was splayed over the comforter in waves and tangles. She threaded her fingers through his hairagain, and the gentle tug on his scalp undid something inside of him, pulled him closer to her as though they were opposite ends of a magnet.

She held her heart in her eyes as she dragged her delicate fingertips over his stubble. “I want more of you, Zain.” Her voice grew soft. “As much as you can give.”

Heat blasted through him like lightning hitting a dry, brittle forest and started a blaze he couldn’t stop. Couldn’t put out. Because goddamn, he didn’t want to.

Her words changed the atmosphere from scorching hot to a slow simmer. It wasn’t just unbridled need between them. It was so much more. A connection he hadn’t known he needed but now couldn’t live without.

“You’ve got all of me, babe. For as long as you want me.” He reached for the condom in his wallet before he returned his lips to hers.

Right where they belonged.

CHAPTER 19

Moonlight filtered inthrough the window, sending large shafts of light over the floor. She should be exhausted. They’d stayed up late making love, then ended the night with a shower and tumbled into bed. She’d woken up a few minutes ago and couldn’t get back to sleep. Dana lay facing the window with her head on the pillow, Zain’s arm draped over her side and his breath warm on her neck.

Part of her wanted to stay in this hotel forever. To never return to reality. To forget that there’d once been a time without Zain.

But their days together were coming to an end. Once they caught the assassin and she was no longer in danger, Zain might not want her around. Dire circumstances often brought people together, and after that element dissipated, he’d probably move on.

Zain inhaled a ragged breath and stretched, his arm tightening around her waist and pulling hercloser to his body. His lips found her neck, and he nuzzled her before a soft snore escaped his nose.

A vibrating sound suddenly had her on alert. She turned just as Zain bolted into a sitting position. “The hell—”

He picked up his phone and was on his feet as soon as he answered. “Yeah?”

A male voice raged through the speaker. The caller spoke fast, his voice loud and angry. Zain cursed a blue streak, and even in the darkness she could see how rigid his body was. Dana reached to the bedside table and clicked on the lamp. The clock read 3:57 a.m.

Zain stood buck naked. Thick, corded muscle stacked from his strained neck down to his calves. His glorious lines resembled those of Zeus, and his tattoos were as masculine as a Viking’s. She let her gaze wander over his body like a lost person finding a lake in the desert. Her legs tightened at the sight of the large, throbbing dick hanging from his groin. All the delicious things he’d done just—

“What?Jesus Christ,” he breathed, dragging his hand through his hair.

She snapped her gaze to his face. Worry clenched her stomach. Zain paced the room, anger vibrating every contour of his body. Even his tight rear end looked furious.

“I’ll fucking kill them,” he spat. “Where is she now?”

Ripples of unease shook Dana as she got to her feet and pulled on her clothes. He zeroed in his gaze on her and gave a sharp nod, seemingly indicating that getting dressed was a good idea. She ached to ask questions, to find out what had him so upset. But every instinct told her to wait. She made her way to the bathroom and brushed her teeth to give him some privacy.

A couple of minutes later, Zain appeared in the doorway. He’d dressed in jeans and a T-shirt. His scowl was even deeper than before.

“My mom’s house is on fire.” His voice was hollow. Grave. And so deadly her muscles quaked.

She gasped, then she flung her arms around him. “Oh my god. Zain, I’m so sorry.” A ragged sob caught in her throat. “Please tell me your mom is okay.” She wouldn’t be able to bear seeing another ounce of pain on Zain’s face. Wouldn’t be able to watch him suffer more tragedy.

He didn’t return her embrace. Instead, he cupped her elbows and pushed her away gently. “She got out.”

“When did the fire start?”

His jaw hardened. “Someone started it.”

She nodded quickly. “I know.” He didn’t need to tell her this was because of Afghanistan—because of her. The assassin hadn’t gotten Dana, so he’d gone after Zain’s mom. Disgust curdled in her belly, and tears misted her vision.

Rage sparked in his eyes. He appeared to be onthe edge of losing it, and she wouldn’t want to be the monsters who’d done this to Greta. She also didn’t want Zain wasting away in a jail cell for the rest of his life. She just had to pray Zain didn’t find them—or that he wasn’t caught for carrying out his own form of justice.

Zain ran his hand over his face. “Fire department got to her house a few minutes ago. Rami’s on his way. I need to go there but I can’t leave you. Are you all right with coming?”

“Of course.” She followed him to the door of the hotel room, her heart high in her throat and her movements clumsy.

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