Chapter 12
Blake inhaled as Kian all but heaved her over his shoulder and struck off down the short corridor to the door at the end. The cabin Waylen said was theirs. He didn’t slow at the threshold, simply pushed the door open, ducked through, then kicked it shut. A turn and a step, and her back hit the wall, Kian’s massive form holding her against it.
He leaned in, their breath mixing as he stared at her. Nostrils flaring. His chest crushing against hers with every inhalation. As if he couldn’t quite pull in enough air.
She couldn’t. Already had flecks of black edging her vision simply being this close. Knowing where it was leading. Where she’d wanted it to go from the start but had been too afraid to lower her guard long enough to make it happen. Not that she hadn’t trusted Kian. She had. Which was mostly the problem. She’d known from that first kiss in his hotel room, he was dangerous. That if she let him get close, she’d break ranks. Confide everything.
She just hadn’t imagined he’d feel the same way. That despite being an ex-Navy SEAL — one of the last real warriors — he’d willing choose to go up against the likes of Russo. True, he had likely faced worse and come out the other side intact. But those had been missions. Choices he and his team had made. And she couldn’t help but worry she’d somehow made this choice for him.
That her admitting she was ridiculously in love with him would be what got him killed.
Kian paused, as if he’d followed her internal turmoil and knew exactly what she was thinking. He leaned in — rested his forehead on hers. “While there’s nothing I want more than to finally get the chance to make love to you, I realize this might not be the right time. Hell, the right head space. You’re exhausted. Scared. And if you had any more guilt radiating off you, it could power the boat. So, if you’d rather wait until after we’ve dealt with Russo, I’ll understand. And no, it won’t change how I feel.”
He eased back enough to brush one hand along her jaw while still keeping her pressed to the wall. “I fell this hard, this fast without us tumbling between the sheets. And while that might seem odd or insanely old-fashioned, it’s true.”
Obviously, resistance was futile. He already had her heart, and she knew he would until the day she died. She just hoped it wasn’t in the next week. And she hoped she wouldn’t take his team with her.
Blake managed to wedge her hand out from against his chest and palm his cheek. “What if it’s not as earth-shattering as you think it’ll be? What if I disappoint you?”
He laughed, the brute. “Sweetheart, you and the word disappoint do not belong in the same sentence. And you’ve already surpassed every expectation simply standing there, looking at me as if I’ve saved your soul. So, whether we spend the next few hours wrapped around each other, or we just sleep, I’m still going to be blown away having you in my arms.” He nuzzled her nose, giving her a ghosted kiss. “Your move, puddle pirate.”
Definitely futile.
“You’re right. I am exhausted. Three years’ worth of trying to monitor every second of every day. Constantly weighing the need to buy groceries or have a beer with Presley over whether it was smarter to stay home. And while I hate admitting I’m scared of anything, Russo terrifies me. I’ve seen what the man can do — how ruthless he is — and just thinking he could do that to you, or your team...”
She swallowed, nearly gagged, but managed to keep everything down. “And honestly, I’m not sure there’ll ever be a good time or the right head space as long as he’s a threat. But I don’t want him ruling my life, anymore. Not where we’re concerned. So, if you’re still crazy — about me and this insane mission — then shut up, and show me what you’ve got, sailor.”
Kian stared at her, eyes clearly assessing if she was being honest or simply saying something he might want to hear, before he smiled — slipped that hand on her jaw around to the back of her head. Threaded his fingers through her hair. “Pretty sure I passed crazy somewhere on the drive here. So, let’s see if I can live up to your expectations.”
Blake nipped at his bottom lip, kissing the slight hurt a moment later. “Then, mission accomplished. But, I’d love to see just how far you can push that bar.”
“Another challenge. I think you should take a breath. Because I plan on stealing the rest of them.”
She didn’t even have time to tease him back before he’d claimed her mouth, again. Tangling his tongue with hers before kissing his way down her neck. He sucked at her pulse point — probably leaving a damn hickey as if they were teenagers — then nipped his way back to her mouth. Only this kiss shattered all the others. All lips and tongues, and by the time he eased back, she was already on the edge. Riding that fine line between wanting him inside her and wanting it to last for the next five hours.
Forget Russo killing her. Kian was going to give her a heart attack just from kissing her.
He must have realized how far gone she was, already, because he paused long enough to smile down at her. Allowed her to suck in some air when he’d stolen the rest, just like he’d said. Not that she cared. She’d find a way to breathe through him as long as he kept kissing her. Holding her.
A lift and a shift, and her shorts and panties were gone. Either puddled on the ground or maybe he’d ripped them off. He took a quick step back before tearing off her shirt and tossing it behind him without putting her down. His hand at her back had her bra joining the other clothes, nothing but the warm Hawai’i air brushing her skin. A smug smile, and her back was against the wall, again.
Blake inhaled while he yanked his shirt over his head — shoved his pants down to his knees. A quick flick of his hand to secure a condom, then, he was back. Hands palming her ass. Her legs wrapped around his hips.
He spent another several minutes teasing her — using one hand to explore every inch of her body before he seemed to reach some kind of limit. The one she’d blown past after that first kiss.
One last soulful glance, then he was thrusting inside, pushing her over that edge inside of a heartbeat. Eyes squeezed shut, she let her head fall against the wall — tried to lever some of her weight. Not that he seemed to notice. One minute in, and he had her chanting his name. Another five, and she was using every trick not to fly apart. Wanting it to last forever.
Kian nipped at her neck, smiling against her skin at her hushed moan. “This is just our first round. A quick romp to take the edge off, then… I might be able to focus long enough to play.”
His voice. All low and gravelly. As if he’d had to work up the energy just to get the words out. Was as far gone as she was.
“God, Kian. I can’t…”
Her confession only spurred him on. Had him upping his pace. Probably rocking the boat from the force. Creating some kind of massive wake. Or maybe it was just her that was off kilter. Whose world had been unhinged, leaving her with no other choice than to hold onto him for balance.
Was her back smacking the wall? Echoing through the entire berth? Had she just shouted his name as the fire in her core exploded, sending a billow of heat coursing through her body?
She didn’t know. Frankly, didn’t care. Not when Kian latched onto her shoulder — started emptying inside her. All that power still keeping her tight to the wall.
How they didn’t end up in a heap on the floor was a mystery. Likely the result of sheer strength or years of training. Regardless, she smiled against his neck, doing her best to tug him closer when he sighed, all the tension she’d felt in his muscles, finally easing.
His breath sounded in her ear, the raspy quality erasing any doubts he wasn’t all-in. That he hadn’t really meant it when he’d told her he loved her.
That this wasn’t forever in the making.
A kiss behind her ear got her attention focused on his eyes when he finally lifted his head and smiled down at her. “Christ. That was supposed to be a quickie, but damn, I’m not sure I can move.”
She laughed. It wasn’t forced or because she thought it was what he expected. But because he’d eased the pressure around her heart. What she’d needed to keep going when she’d been alone. Vulnerable.
He’d lifted that. Given her a reason to step out of the shadows. Live the life Russo had taken.
“You did do all the work. So, how about I make it up to you and return the favor?”
And just like that, the heat was back in his eyes. Any hint of fatigue gone. Vanished like her clothes had.
Kian tsked, slipping free with a grunt. As if leaving her had hurt. He disposed of the condom, shucked the rest of his clothes, then picked her up. He spun, took the four steps over to the bed, then launched them both on top. They bounced once, the mattress creaking under the strain before he was looming over her. His hair teasing his eyes. All that blue staring down at her.
She reached up — brushed the silky locks back. “How did I get so lucky?”
“I’m the lucky one. You didn’t have to let me in. I’m actually surprised you did.”
“It’s not like I had a choice. You had me from that first kiss, too. I just didn’t know how to love you and not tell you everything.”
His smile. It was sexier than ever. A hint of white between full pink lips. Laugh lines around his mouth. The man was beyond handsome. And he was hers.
“All the more reason to show you how much I appreciate that trust. Another deep breath, sweetheart.”
“I believe I said it was my turn to do all the work.”
“You did. And you can.” He dipped down — claimed her mouth with a kiss that had her revved up into the red zone in a heartbeat. “Once I’m done with my turn. Which I don’t think is going to happen until at least the morning. Or the next week. Possibly a month.”
“Kian…”
He merely chuckled. “Shut up, and let me see how far I can push that bar.”
God, how could she argue with that? Especially when he’d tossed her own words back at her.
“It’s already pretty high, but…” She levered up enough to claim his mouth in a searing kiss. “Give it your best shot, sailor.”
Another sexy smile, a brush of his mouth over hers, then he was trailing down, licking and kissing every inch. Making her giggle when he caressed the side of her breast only to turn it into a moan when he captured a nipple in his mouth — sucked on it.
He switched sides. Applying just the right amount of pressure, he had her arching off the bed — sliding her fingers through his hair. She gave a tug, but the man didn’t stop. Didn’t seem to realize how close she was, already. That he’d blown the bar into a thousand pieces, just like she was going to shatter into at any moment.
“Kian…”
A raise of his head, and an arch of his brow was the only response she got for another full minute before he finally moved down her body — wedged himself between her thighs.
She pushed her head into the mattress, fingers still gripping his hair — every nerve strung tight. Until he blew a heated breath across her flesh — had her nearly screaming his name. She managed to crush all but a harsh groan — saving them from having one of his buddies bust through the door wondering if they were being attacked.
Kian didn’t seem to share her concern that Waylen or Harlan might hear them. Come knocking if they misunderstood the circumstances. Kian simply grinned against her skin then drew his tongue along her drenched flesh.
Dead. That’s what she’d be in exactly five seconds. Once her heart exploded after pounding out through her chest. Or maybe she’d have an aneurism right there from the infuriatingly light flicks of his tongue. Licks designed to keep her perched on the edge. Waiting. She lasted maybe five minutes before she fisted his hair around her fingers and pulled sharply.
Kian chuckled, the bastard, before lifting his head. Raising an eyebrow at her as if he had no idea why she was ready to shove him onto his back and take matters into her own hands. “Something on your mind?”
Blake managed to push onto her elbows, not that it helped the situation. Seeing her thighs splayed around his massive shoulders only increased the need burning beneath her skin. Made her acutely aware she was seconds from going over, with or without him. “Either stop teasing me, or your turn is over.”
Kian tsked. “Really, sweetheart? I thought you Coasties were all about patience?”
“We’re about getting the job done, and I’m a second away from going over, whether you’re ready or not. But if you want to rob me of my orgasm…”
“Ouch. Waylen was right. You do go straight for the jugular.”
“Do you know how long it’s been since…”
His eyes narrowed, and he levered up, closing the distance until he was an inch from her face. “I’d be foolish to think every man on this island hasn’t been trying to get you like this. But I’ll admit. My fragile ego wants to believe it’s been a while. Just like me.”
“If three years is your definition of a while, then...” She palmed his cheek, enjoying the stubble shadowing his jaw. “And no one’s been where you are.”
His gaze softened. “Another lethal hit.” He smoothed his hand down her chest, across her stomach then between her legs. “Eyes on me, Blake.”
Eyes on him?
How the hell was she supposed to focus on anything, let alone those gorgeous blue orbs that were staring at her as if she’d soothed some inner demons just by confessing it had been more than a while. That he was the first man she’d trusted since that fateful night. And she hadn’t been joking. No one had ever held her heart the way he did. Which seemed as crazy as she was about him.
Kian paused, doing that weird head tilt as if he was following her thoughts, again, before grinning smugly. Like he knew exactly how far gone she was. And she would have called him on it if he hadn’t leaned down — kissed her as if she might break. Soft. Coaxing.
She held him tight to her, somehow managing to look him in the eyes as he took her to the brink, again, every swirl of his fingers inching her higher. She whispered his name, each increased breath fluttering the hairs teasing his eyes. Making them dance as that coil inside cinched tighter. She tried to stem the heat billowing through her core when Kian dipped down — captured her lips in a searing kiss.
She broke. Died. Probably incinerated on the spot as her release washed over her, lulling her into a numbing haze. It wasn’t until he kissed her, again, that she managed to look up at him. Smile.
He chuckled. “Judging by the smile on your face and how you drenched my fingers, I’m guessing I didn’t rob you, after all.”
She sighed. “No one likes a sore winner.”
“Pretty sure I wasn’t the one who won this round.”
God, she loved him.
Blake beckoned him back down to her with a shift of her head. “I won more than just the round. Now, kiss me, again, and make love to me.”