Page 39 of Embedded
“Wait,” I muttered into his mouth, but he didn’t stop. I forced myself to rip away and pressed my fingers to his lips. “Does this mean you believe me about Chase and that I’d never use him?”
Something flashed across his face, and I wished I knew what it was. Then he squeezed his eyes shut for a moment and went still. When he opened them again, his eyes seemed darker – almost like he was channeling someone else.
“I’ve got a taste for you, and I can’t take it anymore.”
“You need to answer my question first.” I turned my face away to the side when he leaned forward. I needed to know how he felt before I let my guard down again.
He started to drop kisses up my neck to my ear then stopped and took my chin in his hand and forced me to look at him. “Yes, I do believe you, Nicole, and I don’t trust easily.”
That was what I needed to hear, and I let a smile spread across my face as I looked up at him.
He opened and closed his mouth like he wanted to say more but didn’t. I wanted to push, but something told me now wasn’t the time. Besides, we had just made progress. I didn’t want to run the risk of screwing that up.
“I’m happy to hear that.” I kissed the side of his jaw like he did mine. I loved the way his light stubble scratched my lips. Paul was rugged and tough, very different than the men I used to date. I’d always refused to date a soldier in the past, but I’d have to question myself on that later, as Paul made me feel more alive than anyone ever had, and that included Justin.
His hands moved back into my hair and tugged gently at the roots. He leaned his forehead to mine, and his warm breath brushed across my heated cheeks.
“I hope you can handle the kind of man I am.” It sounded like a warning.
“So does that mean we’re dating?” I hated to sound like a teenager, but I needed to know where we stood. We’d had our fair share of ups and downs to this point.
His gaze dropped and took my stomach along with it. That strange look I’d seen earlier, the one that seemed like he wanted to say more, flickered across his face again. Confusion washed over me.
“Let’s take this slow,” he whispered. “I’ve been out of the dating pool for some time, and I have some things to work on before I can fully date someone. Let’s say we’re talking, just getting to know one another.”
I appreciated his honesty and, as his words sank in, I had to agree. Our future was unknown, and if my past had taught me anything, it was that long distant relationships didn’t work. I had no idea when I could return to Mexico, but that was where my life was. Where I needed to be. Right?
“Slow sounds good.” I smiled and used his shoulders to help push myself up to give him a closed lip kiss, careful not to press into his chest. Though I didn’t think he could feel much pain with the way he’d squeezed my body to his. He deepened the kiss again. It was raw, passionate, almost animalistic. My legs wobbled when a rush of endorphins burst through me like a firework shooting off in all directions. A strange noise found its way to me, and I felt him stiffen then he pulled back.
“Seriously?” I laughed like I was drunk as he read something off his phone.
“Shit, we have a meeting.” His hands slowly lowered, and I noticed he was just as turned on as I was.
I stared up at him with disbelief. “Now?” I swiped my hair back out of my face.
“Yeah,” he rubbed his eyes in frustration, “I’ve never wanted to disobey an order so badly in my life,” he groaned.
“It’s fine,” I lied.
He smiled right up to the corners of his eyes, and I found myself mirroring him. Then he turned away and reached for the door. “Get packed, Nicole. We leave at sun-up.”
“Yes, sir,” I teased, and he looked back as he opened the door.
“Sir?” He raised a brow. “I like the way that sounds.” His gaze dragged over me, then he swiped a hand over his face, muttered something, and left with a growl.
EIGHT
PAUL
My head had been in a fog after the meeting with the teams the night before. The Cartel grew steadily bolder with each passing day, and if we didn’t step up our game, we’d soon lose our edge.
After some careful planning, we decided to release a statement to the media that I was alive. If we didn’t control the narrative, fear would spread along the border towns, and that might be what they were banking on. Spreading fear was their specialty.
I may have gotten four hours of sleep, and that wouldn’t normally faze me, but because I was still healing, it took a toll. I dug my thumbs into my eyes, and an image of Nicole’s smile and soft lips suddenly came up behind my closed lids. She had been so soft and warm in my arms that it was nearly impossible to?—
I shifted my head when I saw Keith come in from outside.
“Hey, man, you good?” I held up the coffee pot, and he gave me nod.
