Page 92 of Silent Comrade
He flinched, then blew out a long breath,the muscles of his chest shifting. His growling words rumbled. “Godhelp me, I want you so badly, I would chew off my own arm if that’swhat it cost to be with you again. But I don’t want there to be anyconfusion of lust versus the emotions from this mission.”
She rested her forehead on his chest. Hiswarmth seeped into her, giving her strength. She leaned back andlocked her gaze with his. She could do stark honesty. She owed himthat much. “There’s a difference between the man and the mission. Iwant the man. All of him.”
Every muscle tensed. “You sure about that?”A flicker of pain flashed across his face.
Through her anger and confusion early thismorning, the close call with Lequire, the 24/7 stress, battling heranxiety, and second-guessing her entire life, the one thing Brittknew for certain was she had a connection with Red that she didn’twant to end. Not yet.
A tiny voice added,maybe notever.
Did her relationship needs and desires justcrystallize right this minute, right here in the Midtown ThriftMart, over the discounted cubic zirconium collection?
“Britt?” She felt more than heard theword.
“Yes.”
“You sure?”
Holding his gaze, she said, “I’m very sure.I want to try for whatever future there is, even if it’s only foranother few days.” She paused. “After my back-and-forth, I need toask you the same thing. You get an equal vote.”
The five seconds of contemplation felt likehours. “You’re like a living tornado and the bravest and sexiestperson I’ve ever met. I can’t get enough of you.”
Oh. My. "Red, you’re solid, and patient, and… yeah, so hot.” Heat bloomed where her thighs met.
A crimson flush betrayed his calm words.“Are we really going there? Here?”
She glanced around, gauging the customersand some options. “I mean. It’s not very busy today, so…”
He barked a quick laugh. “Oh hell, that’snot what I meant,” he gritted out. Exhaling, he kept hold of herwrist, the grip firm but not painful. “Relationship developing. Inthis store.”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“The last thing I want is to hurt you, andeven in the best of situations, I don’t know if pain is avoidable.Also, I don’t want my own ass handed back to me again. Sorry forthe extra step, but you need to be very clear with what you’reasking of me, of yourself. Of us.”
The world seemed to collapse until it wasthe two of them in the back of the shop. A few customers milledaround near the front of the store. “I’m a messy person on theinside. I have issues, and I want to continue working on them.You’re amazing to be with, like a counterbalance for me, but somuch more.” She gulped and maintained eye contact, pouring herheart into the words. “I’ve never wanted to be as close to someoneas I have with you. If you’re okay with it … I want you, Red. Now.For as long as this lasts.” Even saying the words made her limbs goliquid.
His grip tightened a fraction. He rested herhand against his chest. Under her fingertips, his heart thundered.His jaw worked for a solid minute before he spoke. “Here’s thedeal: you must want me for who I am, right now. Not for who I neverwas. Not for who I cannot be. Not for any promise of a future.Yeah, I know that’s not the most enticing deal.” He swallowed. “Yougotta want Red, the messed-up undercover dude pretending to be afashion student, who is modeling fake jewelry in broad daylight,because he would do … anything you ask.” He rubbed the back of herhand with the rough pad of his thumb. “To be clear, I need you morethan I need water or air. No question. But I will suppress what Iwant if that’s what it takes to keep you from you being hurt. Isthat clear enough?”
“Crystal.”
“Hell, Britt…”
God, she loved how he said her name.Half-blessing, half-epithet. She dipped her hand lower until shebrushed against his thick erection, hard and heated beneath hiscargo pants.
He shuddered. “Not here. But soon.” Hisbreath flashed hot against her neck, even as he scanned the storearound them.
“Got ideas?”
“Hell, yeah, I’ve got ideas.” Hestraightened up and removed her hand from his pants. “First of all,I think you should go try on some clothes.”
Try on clothes? Her lust-filled brainstruggled to keep up. “What?”
“In the dressing room. Try. On. Clothes,” hegrowled.
“In the … oh.Oh. Really?” Her heartpattered.
He flipped through his phone images andtyped a message, then led her through the racks of purses, socks,and scarves. A nod. “Rodeo’s covering us and taking care of storefeeds.”
They headed toward the women’s changingroom. “Wait.” She pulled back against his light grip on herhand.
