Chapter 11
Chapter Eleven
S askia sat curled up on Cam’s couch, bouncing one leg on the floor and nibbling her nail.
She was unfortunately sober.
And worried.
He’d been gone a while. Was he okay?
She jumped up. She couldn’t just sit there, waiting. She headed for the kitchen. Times like this called for stress eating. She opened Cam’s pantry.
Cam had like two percent body fat. The man probably had no chocolate in the house.
Then she spied a familiar box and nabbed it. Her favorite truffles!
She stilled. Oh, God. There was a row of boxes. She’d told him on one of their late-night calls that these chocolates were her weakness.
Warmth moved through her. The man was so into her. He was pushing her away with one hand, and keeping a stash of her favorite chocolates on the other.
She popped a truffle in her mouth, savoring the explosion of flavor.
Where was he?
She paced and ate more chocolates than she should. When her cell phone rang, she jolted and almost dropped the box.
God, had something happened to Cam?
Belly in knots, she grabbed the phone and saw her brother’s name.
Oh . “Killian?”
“Saskia, Jesus. Are you all right? I just got back in range, and had a slew of messages from Wolf.”
She gripped the phone. “I’m okay.”
“I’m sorry I wasn’t there—”
There was a far deeper, older pain in her brother’s voice. These men who thought they were responsible for everyone. “Killian. I’m okay, and I haven’t been alone.”
“That sick fuck who took you is going down, I promise.” There was a dark menace in Kill’s voice.
“Mikhailov is on the run,” she told him. “But he’s still here.”
There was a pause. “He’s still in San Francisco?”
“Yes. And after me, but the Norcross team is taking care of me.”
Her brother cursed. “I’ll be on the first flight back to the States.”
“Killian, I’m all right. I’m safe.”
“I’ll get Wolf and Hades to get you back to New York. My warehouse is the most secure—”
“I’m staying here. In San Francisco. For now.”
Another pause. “Where are you staying? Exactly.”
She let out a deep breath. She was an adult for God’s sake, but Killian often managed to make her feel like a little girl.
“I’m staying with Camden Morgan.”
The deep silence made her swallow.
“Morgan? Hunt’s brother. Former Ghost Ops.”
Killian had a mind like a steel trap. He never forgot anything. He probably knew the backgrounds of all the Norcross Security employees down to their shoe size.
“Yes. He’s keeping me safe. He’s outside right now following up on a sighting. He should be back any second.” Please be back any second.
“You’re vulnerable, Saskia. If he’s taking advantage—”
She rolled her eyes. “Kill, I’m a big girl. I’m okay, and Cam and I’ve been talking for months. He’s tried pushing me away, even when I didn’t want him to. I like him.”
Killian muttered a curse. “Saskia, he’s been through things you can’t even imagine. He may not be able to offer you the things you need.”
Now she felt annoyance. “He said the same thing, but the thing is, I’m the one who decides what I need, and so far, he’s giving me everything I want.”
Her brother made a strangled sound.
“I don’t mean sex,” she said.
“You don’t have sex. Ever. You’re my sister. Let’s just keep that clear.”
She laughed at his disgruntled voice. “I love you, big brother.”
Killian huffed out a breath. “I love you too, Sassy. I just want you safe and happy.”
She smiled and felt tears prick her eyes. He hadn’t used her childhood nickname in years. “I know.”
“I’m flying back as soon as I can. I trust Morgan and Norcross to keep you safe for now.”
That was a big concession from her paranoid brother. “Okay, Kill.”
“Be safe.”
As she set the phone down, the front door opened.
Cam entered, and relief filled her.
“Is everything—?” She sucked in a breath. “Is that blood on your shirt?”
He looked down at the flecks of red. “It’s not mine.”
She hissed. “Is that supposed to make me feel better?” She stalked up and grabbed his hand. His knuckles were torn again. “What happened?”
“One of Mikhailov’s goons was sneaking up the stairwell. I incapacitated him.”
“Is he dead?”
“No. Rome helped me, and Rhys picked the guy up. He’s in a holding cell next to the other guy. We’re hoping he gives us Mikhailov’s location.” Anger vibrated in Cam’s voice.
She pressed her hands to his chest. “Hey, I don’t want you to lose yourself in this anger.”
His face softened a little. He slid a hand into her hair. “I can’t. Not with you here.”
She had to kiss him. She went up on her toes and pressed her mouth to his. His hand tightened in her hair, and he slanted his head.
Mmm . She moaned. Camden Morgan could light her up every time with just a kiss. Despite everything, and even knowing one of Mikhailov’s goons had crept in close, everything quivered inside her.
She wanted Cam. She wanted to go back to where they’d been before the interruption.
Then Cam broke the kiss and Saskia fought back a groan.
“I need to wash up,” he said. “I hate touching you with blood on me.”
She nodded. “How did this guy find us?”
“He had photos printed out. Of you. And of me and Vander, from Union Square.”
And then they’d probably searched for information on Cam. God, she hated that.
“I’m sensing the mood is broken,” she said.
“Yeah.” He stroked her hair. “Besides, you’re still shaken. I just want you to rest and feel safe.”
She felt safest when she was close to him.
His gaze dropped, and his lips quirked. “I see you found the chocolates.”
“Yes. And I ate far too many waiting for you. And Killian called.”
Cam arched a brow. “He isn’t burning down Russia in revenge, is he?”
She smiled. “No. But he’s on his way home.”
Cam nodded. “I’ll clean up. You get ready for bed.” He tipped her chin up. “My bed. That’s where you’re sleeping tonight.”
She bit her lip, butterflies in her stomach. “Okay.”
He left for the bathroom. Saskia went into the guest bathroom, and washed her face and brushed her teeth.
She found some cute pajamas that Savannah had urged her to buy—shorts and a tank.
The shorts were very short with pink flowers on them.
The pink, striped tank had a touch of lace at the neckline.
When she walked into Cam’s bedroom, he was just walking out of the adjoining bathroom.
He was shirtless, wearing a pair of black knit shorts.
Holy cow. She’d seen fit male dancers loads of times. She appreciated their toned, lean forms. But Cam wasn’t a dancer. He wasn’t lean. Cam was ripped . He was built for power and strength. He was a man who could carry a fallen teammate for miles and never stop.
A man who’d shield the people he loved from every danger.
“Shit.” His gaze ran over her. “Lucky I don’t sleep much, since I’m not going to get a lot knowing you’re wearing that.” He pulled back the covers. “Come on, sweetheart.”
Saskia climbed in. The sheets smelled like him. As soon as her head hit the pillow, tiredness rushed in.
Cam climbed in beside her and curled around her. His skin was hot, heat pumping off him.
He pressed a kiss to her hair. “Sleep now.”
“Cam—”
“Shh, sweetheart. Just sleep.”
And she was shocked that sleep so easily pulled her under.
* * *
A single spear of bright morning sunlight made it through the gap in the curtains and hit Cam in the face.
For half a second, he thought he was back in the desert, hot sun blaring down. But the disorienting moment passed. He registered the comfortable bed, the soft sheets, and the sweet, sleeping woman half on top of him.
Cam looked down at Saskia’s cheek pressed to his pec. One long leg was tossed over his. Her dark hair spilled like ink all over his chest. And those damn shorts were so short, he saw a hint of the smooth skin of her ass cheek.
He ground his teeth together. His cock was so hard it hurt.
He carefully slid free. Saskia made a cute sound and curled up in the middle of his bed.
In the bathroom, he willed his cock to go down so he could take a leak. He glanced at his reflection in the mirror.
As always, the first thing he noticed was the scar. He swallowed. There were so many horrible memories attached to it. The noise, the screams, the blood, Kris.
He closed his eyes, and thought of Saskia.
Elegant fingers on his cheek, stroking the scar like it wasn’t even there.
He wanted to go back into that bedroom, push the sheets and clothes off her body, and put his hands and mouth on her. Hear the noises she made when he made her come.
His hands flexed on the sink. And he was hard again.
He was going to take care of her, dammit. Not use her for his own damn needs.
He headed out to the kitchen to make coffee. There was a bakery around the corner with good croissants and bread, so he could arrange a delivery.
Then he wanted to get to Norcross Security to get an update on the hunt for Mikhailov. He scowled, listening to the coffee machine. He wanted the asshole in a cage. As much as Cam wanted to pummel the guy, he’d have to be happy with handing him over to the feds.
And knowing Saskia was safe
“Hey.”
He turned, and saw a sleepy-looking Saskia, her hair loose, standing there in those ridiculously tiny pajamas.
They shouldn’t be so sexy, but they were. His cock stirred. Shit .
He cleared his throat. “Sleep well?”
“I did. Much better than I guessed I would.” Her lips curled. “And I like sleeping pressed up against you.” Her gaze dropped, tracing over his bare chest. “I just have to get it out there that you are hot. Like ridiculously.”
This wasn’t helping his hard on. “I work out. You’ve no doubt seen fit bodies in your dancing.”
“There’s fit and then there’s—” She waved a hand at him.
He needed to change the subject. “Do you want coffee?” He pulled two mugs out of the cupboard.
“I don’t want coffee.”
He looked back at her.
She lifted her chin, and the look on her face hit him in his gut.
“I want you to touch me,” she said.
The air rushed out of him. “Saskia, you’ve had a rough few days—”
She shook her head. “Don’t tell me what I feel or want. Yes, the last few days have been challenging, but I’m alive, I’m safe, and I’m determined to live my life. I want to do all the things I’ve wanted to do but have been putting off.” Her eyes flashed. “That includes you, Camden Morgan.”
Cam heaved in a breath. He set the mug down, his hands flexing. He couldn’t fight this anymore. Hell, he wasn’t sure he should.
Saskia Hawke was his, and he was claiming her.
He strode toward her, saw her eyes widen.
“No going back,” he growled.
“I don’t want to go back.”
He moved fast, yanking her to him. Their bodies collided and he tightened his hold, his mouth taking hers.
All his control, doubts, and uncertainties vanished for now.
Desire was a hot burn. He needed this woman.
The force of his kiss made her neck tilt. He broke off, so he could yank the tank off her. Then those maddening shorts hit the floor.
His cock throbbed. Hell . She was naked, wearing no underwear.
She stared up at him, desire and need reflected in her dark eyes. Her slender body looked almost delicate at first glance. It was deceptive. He cupped one small breast, his thumb brushing across her nipple. It hardened and her chest hitched. He saw the pulse hammering in the side of her neck.
Cam put his mouth back on hers. Her hands slid across his shoulders.
“I love your body,” she panted.
“Not as much as I love yours.”
He backed her up, everything exploding. He needed to touch her all over.
“I want you so much, Saskia.” He ran his hands up her body. “So fucking bad. Every night, I think of you. Every day, I want you. In my bed. In my arms. Any way I can have you.”
“I want you too.” There was no hesitation or uncertainty in her voice.
They stroked and caressed each other, the kiss turning even more intense, with no restraint. Saskia put her mouth on his neck. He ran his hands up and down her body.
One of her hands gripped his ass, then she was shoving into his shorts.
When she got them off, she curled a hand around his hard cock.
He grunted. Fuck . She stroked him and he pushed into her palm. She kept her gaze on his cock, her cheeks flushed.
“Like steel,” she whispered.
As she explored, he groaned. He looked down, saw her slender, elegant fingers wrapped around his rigid, swollen cock. She ran her finger down on the throbbing vein.
“Fuck.” If she kept touching him like this, he’d come in her hand.
He wanted, no, needed, to be inside her.
He nudged her hand away and picked her up. She gasped, and wrapped her legs around his hips.
He walked toward the bedroom, but then she shifted, the head of his cock lodging against her folds.
She gasped and he groaned. Their gazes locked.
Cam felt wild and raw inside. He’d never, ever wanted anything as much as he wanted her. The bedroom was too far away. The couch was too far away.
He shifted, going down on one knee, and lowering her onto her back on the floor. She clung to him, her wide eyes meeting his.
He thrust inside her.
Her lips parted and she cried out. Her hands convulsed on his shoulders.
Damn, she was tight.
Cam started moving, thrusting hard and deep into her warmth. Her body jolted beneath him, but she held on, with him every step of the way.
It felt so good, magnificent.
“There it is,” he groaned. “That tight, wet sweetness.”
Her nails dug into his skin. “I love you inside me. So deep inside me.”
He’d wanted to go slow. To take his time. But now, lodged inside her, he didn’t have it in him. “Saskia.” His voice shook with strain, he kept up his thrusts.
“Take what you need,” she breathed, her hands sliding into his hair. She pulled his head down and kissed him. It was deep, all-consuming.
“Don’t want to hurt you.” His need for her made him shake, left his control shredded.
“You won’t hurt me. You could never hurt me.” Her tone was breathy. “ Cam , please.”
He moved faster, grinding into her with every thrust.
“Jesus, Saskia,” he groaned. Pleasure was a hot spear down his spine.
She bucked her hips up, moaning. He knew she was close, her inner muscles clenching on him.
He wasn’t going to last much longer.
“Sweetheart, let go. Come.” He moved deeper, his thrusts losing their rhythm.
Her long legs tightened, and her climax hit her.
Cam couldn’t look away. God, her face . It was the most beautiful thing he’d seen.
Lost in her beauty, his own release hit.
He pressed his face to her throat and groaned through the pleasure, pouring himself inside her.