Page 7 of Raven's Claw
Which was part of the reason she hadn’t pressed for more.Kash had a way of bypassing her barriers.Getting her to lower her guard without anything more than a smile.And she knew, if she ever acted on the thoughts bouncing around inside her head, she’d confess far more than just her feelings.
She’d bare her soul.
Jordan sighed.She’d definitely lost her mind.Or maybe she’d just been lost for so long she couldn’t fight the pull anymore.Needed one last good memory before she faced the cold reality that Rook had been right, and she didn’t have a future beyond Scythe.
A clap of thunder startled her from her thoughts, and she cursed under her breath as she made her way back to the counter.She needed to get a grip.Find a way to untangle herself from the dreams inside her head.Being with Kash wasn’t realistic.Not because she thought he’d turn her down, but because of the kind of man he was.Honorable.Steadfast.And she knew that if they crossed that line, he’d become more than just her lover.He’d become her champion.And she couldn’t risk his life just so she could have a chance at one.
The door creaked open behind her, a rush of cold, winter air swirling in with the rain.She turned, and her heart stopped.He stood in the doorway, one arm braced against the frame.Looking as if he’d fall on his face if he tried to stand on his own.His skin was tinged blue, his hair dripping water down his face.He scanned the small room, his gaze locking on hers.
She swallowed, wondering if the chef had turned up the heat.Left all the burners on high.Something to explain the burst of warmth beneath her skin that didn’t involve Kash Sinclair.
His teammates brushed past him, heading for their usual table in the far back corner.Oddly subdued as they ambled past.Nyx limped along with them, glancing back at her handler before continuing behind Zain.
Kash waited until they’d settled at the table then took a step, teetering a bit until he found his balance.Her chest squeezed tight, all her reasons for not asking him for more fading beneath the weight of his gaze.
She wanted him.Wanted to run her fingers through his shaggy mass of brown hair.Stare up into his brilliant green eyes.Run her hands over every inch of smooth skin as he moved inside her.
But more than anything, she just wanted to feel.
Everything.
With him.
Jordan wasn’t sure if she said his name or if Kash was on some kind of mission because he took a breath then started walking.Quickly closing the distance between them in firm, measured strides.He didn’t say a word, just reached out, slid his cold fingers through her hair, tilted back her head and kissed her.
Had any man ever tasted this good?Like those words from that country song her boss played on repeat —fast cars and freedom.How she envisioned her life could have been if she’d gotten a different roll of the dice.
She must have gasped because Kash tangled his tongue with hers a heartbeat later, deepening the kiss as she wove her hands through his hair — pulled him closer.Savoring the muffled groan that rumbled through his chest and into hers until he finally eased back, their breath mixing.His mouth still dangerously close.
Jordan blinked, staring up into all that stunning green.Trying to calculate how to get him to kiss her like that again.If she should just tiptoe up — dive in.
He brushed his thumb across her lips, looking as if he might dip down, again — shatter any lingering doubts — when he smiled.“Have dinner with me.”
She coughed.Why he was talking about food when all she wanted him to do was pin her to the wall — thrust inside?
Kash chuckled, giving her a ghost of a kiss before letting his forehead rest on hers.“Is the way you’re looking at me your version of yes?”
She froze, everything rushing back.The door.The café.His entire team watching from the sidelines.She swallowed, impressed when she didn’t end up spitting some of it across his face.“Don’t you think you should have asked me that before you kissed me?”
He shrugged, a hint of his boyish charm tugging at his mouth.“I needed to hedge the answer in my favor.Because I know your gut instinct is to say no.”
That cooled some of the heat.Had her inner voice chiming in.“Kash, I…”
The café door opened, again, another swirl of damp air breezing past them.The hairs on her neck prickled, something about the way the pair of boots scuffed the floor drawing her attention.She managed to drag her focus away from Kash — glance over his shoulder.
A guy.Late thirties.Looking as if he’d been standing in the rain all day, shouting at the wind.His gaze bounced around the room before landing on her and Kash, all the white in his eyes glowing in the overhead lights.He took a few faltering steps, then picked up speed, each footfall more deliberate.She caught a flash of metal and leather — fingers clenched around a grip.
Jordan zeroed in and moved before the bastard cleared his holster.Pushing past Kash and stepping into the attack.She slid one hand along the barrel — ejected the chambered round back at the perp.He jerked his head to the right and opened up his left side.
Precision strikes to his throat and groin — a couple firm kicks to the inside of his knee — and he reeled back.Breath wheezing out.His gun clattering to a table as he clutched his neck.Jordan fisted his jacket, then kicked off that table and vaulted over his back, grabbing his piece as she slammed his head onto the smooth surface.
He spat out some blood, gasping when she twisted all that fabric around his throat — cut off most of his air before leaning in.Her breath hot against his neck.Her voice low.
“Who the hell sent you?Rook?Does he know I’m here, or are you one of his advanced drones?”
He tugged at his collar, sucking in raspy little gasps.“They’re… coming.”He laughed, the sound like metal grinding over stone.“We’re all gonna die.”
She tightened her hold, trying to make sense of his gibberish, when the door creaked.
