Page 59 of Duty Unbound

He shrugged, but the tension in his shoulders belied the casual gesture. “I noticed you haven’t been able to paint since the tour started. I know it’s your stress relief. I thought it might help to have a set that could travel with you.”

“It’s more than that.” I perched on the edge of the desk beside him. “You sawme. Do you know how rare that is?”

His eyes darkened, fixed on mine. “I see you all the time, Mel.”

Neither of us was talking about our eyes. I was glad he understood.

“I know you do. That’s what makes it so…” I struggled to find the words. “But now I’m wondering… Maybe this was your way of telling me you weren’t interested in pursuing anything beyond our professional relationship. A kind gesture before backing away. If that’s the case, that’s fine. I?—”

His hand shot out, catching mine. “Is that really what you think?”

The heat of his palm against mine sent electricity up my arm. “I don’t know what to think. You kissed me that night, and then nothing. I thought maybe you’d changed your mind?—”

“Changed my mind?” He shook his head, a humorless laugh escaping him. “Mel, it’s taking every ounce of willpower I have to keep my hands off you. Every. Single. Day.”

My pulse quickened. “Then why?—”

“Because I’m trying to be professional.” He traced circles on my wrist with his thumb. “Because we’re in the middle of a tour with real threats. Because you deserve better than stolen moments between security checks.”

The raw honesty in his voice stripped away my doubts. I slid off the desk and toward him, my body making the decision my mind was still processing.

“What if I want those stolen moments?” I moved closer, until I stood between his knees. “What if they’re exactly what I need?”

His eyes, dark and intense, never left mine. “Mel?—”

“I’m tired of putting my life on hold while I manage everyone else’s. I’m tired of being responsible and practical.” I placed my hands on his shoulders, feeling the solid strength beneath my fingertips. “For once, I want something for myself. And what I want isyou.”

Something snapped in his expression. With startling swiftness, he pulled me onto his lap, his mouth claiming mine in a kiss that burned away any remaining hesitation.

This was nothing like our first kiss, which had been tentative, exploring. This was hunger unleashed. He tangled his hands in my hair, angling my head to deepen the connection. I melted against him, meeting his intensity with my own.

“Do you have any idea,” he murmured against my lips, “how hard it’s been watching you every day and not being able to touch you?”

I shifted on his lap, feeling the hard evidence of his desire beneath me. “I think I’m getting a pretty good idea.”

He groaned, sliding his hands down to grip my hips. “Being near you and keeping my distance is the hardest thing I’ve had to do in a long fucking time.”

“Then stop.” I rolled my hips deliberately against him, drawing another groan. “Stop keeping your distance.”

His control fractured visibly. His fingers dug into my hips, and he captured my mouth again, his tongue sliding against mine in a preview of what I desperately wanted. I hadn’t expected this raw, primal need, but God, it felt good to be wanted so fiercely.

One of his hands slid beneath my blouse, his palm hot against my skin. “Tell me to stop, and I will.”

“Don’t you dare.” I arched into his touch. “Don’t stop.”

His mouth moved to my neck, teeth grazing sensitive skin as his hand traveled higher, cupping my breast through my bra. Every touch was electric, sending sparks of pleasure racing through me. I whimpered when his thumb brushed over my nipple, the thin fabric a maddening barrier.

“I want to touch you,” he whispered against my throat. “Everywhere.”

“Yes,” I gasped, my fingers fumbling with the buttons of my blouse. “Please…”

He helped me, careful despite the urgency in his movements. The blouse fell open, and his eyes darkened further at the sight of my simple cotton bra.

“Beautiful,” he murmured, pressing a kiss to the swell of my breast.

I trembled under his touch, aching for more. He slid his hand around to unclasp my bra, and I shrugged out of it, suddenly shy despite my boldness moments ago.

His expression silenced my insecurities. Pure appreciation, desire, and something deeper filled his eyes as he took me in.

---