Chapter 6
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Touching her was dangerous.
From that very first glance, Trace knew this to be true. And when Emma had pulled him close and pressed her lips to his, he’d known full fucking well that she was dreaming.
And he’d kissed her back, anyway.
Despite their age difference. Despite the fact that she was a R.I.S.C. operative’s sister. Despite the fact that nothing could ever develop between them.
He’d allowed himself a taste of Heaven, and why?
Because I’ve wanted nothing more since I first laid eyes on her.
Just one taste. That’s all he’d planned on taking. A tiny nibble to satisfy the unprecedented craving he’d felt for the mesmerizing blonde.
Trace had been sure that’s all he’d need. That they’d kiss, he’d realize there was nothing more between them than any other woman he’d ever held in his arms.
Holy hell, had he been wrong.
Just thinking about that kiss had his dick twitching behind his zipper. The damn thing had nearly exploded from that first taste and had been half-hard ever since.
All night long, he’d laid in the bed beside hers, calling upon every ounce of training he had to keep from crawling in with her and taking what he was certain she’d be willing to give.
Not because he was a cocky-as-fuck bastard who thought he was God’s gift to women. But because he’d felt it last night.
It was there, in the way her lips and sweet tongue had moved in sync with his. The way Emma’s body had molded perfectly inside his passionate embrace.
And the way her fingernails had dug into his biceps as she’d attempted to keep him from pulling away.
Dream or no dream, her body’s reaction to his touch was very real. Hell, Emma had admitted as much when she said she wasn’t sorry for kissing him.
And regardless of the fact that Trace knew it was wrong, he wasn’t a damn bit sorry, either.
From his seat at the room’s small table, he glanced over at the woman sleeping peacefully a few feet away. Dawn had begun peeking through the slits in the room’s drawn curtains, the long, slivers of light growing closer to her with each minute that passed.
If she wakes up to find you staring at her, she’s going to think you’re some sort of perv.
Looking at his watch, he saw that he had plenty of time to take another shower.
A verycoldshower.
It didn’t stifle his desire for the woman completely, but by the time he was drying himself off, he’d regained control of his overactive libido. Something he shouldn’t even have to do, given his age.
For fuck’s sake, you’re thirty-eight. Not ninety. Cut yourself some slack.
Age aside, Trace was still frustrated with his inability to keep himself in better check. He needed to get his head out of his ass and remember why he was here.
I need to be careful around her.
That, he did. Because if he let his guard down...if he let go of his control and Emma was around to see it...
She’ll know the kind of man I really am.
For years, he’d been able to hide the darkness growing deep inside him. A darkness someone as sweet and kind as Emma would never understand.