Page 94 of Rivals & Revenge

A smile broke across her face, lighting up her eyes for the first time since she slid the last puzzle piece into place. Fuck, she was beautiful.

"But I get what you're saying. I want it over with. I want to know you're safe."

"I hate not knowing anything. That photo showed a grand estate with a freaking hedge maze. I suck at mazes on paper. How are we supposed to research this place? We need to leave—now."

I nodded, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "I know. It's two hours away and by now, she will have released the hounds, so to speak."

"Maybe I can do some research while you drive," she muttered, the fog slowly clearing from her eyes.

My head bobbed in agreement, but my mind was tangled in her.

Looking down at this woman—my woman—filled me with emotions that were becoming more and more familiar. Something inside snapped, watching the droplets sluice over her curves, beading on her nipples before falling to the shower floor.

My tongue traced across her lips and down her chin, the column of her throat, down further, circling her nipple and sucking the hardened bud into my mouth.

Her fingers tangled in my hair, and a wanton moan broke from her lips. She yelped as I lifted her from the floor and pressed her against the cold tile, finding a home between her thighs.

My voice shook with need. "Tierney, I need you." I admitted, searching her eyes for any sign she didn't want this, only finding naked desire dancing in her soulful blue eyes.

She nodded, arching her back, desperate for the same friction I sought.

Neither of us could say the words, but we were both keenly aware these could be our last moments on this earth. Tonight, this would end. And while we prided ourselves on being the best in the game, I meant what I told her. Anyone can get lucky. One lucky shot and one of us goes home alone.

If I only have one more minute, I wanted to make love to her—one more time and tell her—

I pushed into her, pinning her to the wall with slow, deep strokes.

"Fuck. You feel amazing." I groaned, taking her lips in a tender kiss, our tongues mimicking the slide of my cock inside her.

Tierney once again took the form of some long forgotten goddess of death. Sodden hair twisted into her signature fishtail braid, daggers sheathed along her body, pistol in her waist and her trusty scout slung over her shoulder. Utter perfection.

She bent over to slide her feet into her boots, turning and winking at me before straightening back up to her full height.

“Kitten—” my warning is a low growl.

"I know." She pouted. "We don't have time for that shit."

I laughed. "I'm always down for it. But I think if we take much longer, Connor is going to come in here and pull us out by our ears."

"And whose fault is that?"

"Mine," I whispered, dropping a kiss on her lips. "I needed you to come all three times. Two just wasn't enough for me."

She shook her head, turning toward the door, but my hand caught her arm.

"Before we go," I swallowed hard. "There's something I want—"

"No." her fingers pressed to my lips. "None of this goodbye shit."

I kissed herfingertips, moving them away from my lips. "Not goodbye."

My breath rushed out, impatient as she was. “I need to say this. Please, just listen.”

“I love you. I think maybe I have since I saw you take that shot that earned me that first rose. All my life I've been so disconnected from my emotions, I didn't realize I felt anything until that night in the grove. If something happens—”

She opened her mouth, but I raised my voice. I needed her to hear this, and despite her protestations, she needed to hear it too.

"If something happens to me. I need you to know that these few weeks with you have been the most beautiful moments of my life."

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