She snaked her arms around him, kissing him with a wildness she hadn’t known existed in her.
When the kiss ended, she murmured, “Mygod, you can kiss.”
He was it for her.
She loved this moment of realization… and she hated it. Her heart had been claimed and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it. Sex had been the one thing she’d wondered about. And now she had her answer.
She lay in complete bliss while they held each other. This wasn’t supposed to be happening to her, but it was. Her saving grace? She wasn’t going to tell him how she felt. That way, if hecouldn’t commit or didn’t want to, she’d be able to keep her dignity. She owed herself that.
Being held by Grey felt incredible, but when she started to drift off, she broke away, peered down at him. “What’s the plan for tomorrow, boss?”
His gaze floated over her face, then back into her eyes. “I’ve got a few connections I’m following up on.”
“I’ve got meetings in Langley in the morning,” she said. “There are a few IOs and handlers who know the terror cell. I’m gonna pick their brains.”
“Someone from our team’ll be at our office tomorrow afternoon,” he said. “He’s great on the dark web. Can you swing by to work with him?”
“Sure.” She moved away from him, got out of bed. It was time. Her perfect evening had to end sometime.
He pushed out after her. “I gotta meet someone.”
Instead of blurting, “Now?” she said nothing. He wasn’t hers. He owned her no explanation. Still, this stung.
I had my fun. Move on.
She entered the bathroom. Seconds later, he joined her.
“I’m havin’ dinner at Santini’s tomorrow. Meet me there.”
“What happened to meeting Jennifer Leigh at the Dungeon?”
He tipped her chin. “Both, Bella. Dinner first, then we’ll head to the club. We gotta make your frenemy jealous.”
“Sure,” she replied, trying to keep things chill. But her thoughts were racing.
While they dressed, she couldn’t help but wonder who he was meeting. Was it related to the case? Was it another woman? Her guts knotted, but she didn’t want to overanalyze things and kill her sex high.
Forget it. Let it go.
They left the suite, made their way downstairs, the pounding beat of a song growing louder with each step. In themain room, clubbers were dancing everywhere and she got separated from him. A strong hand wrapped her waist. He was right there, guiding her though the maze toward the front door.
Once outside, he released her. The windy night air left her aching for his touch.
“Have a good night,” said the line manager.
Caroline glanced at the time on her phone. One-thirty in the morning.
Someone hurried outside and beelined over to them. It was Stan.
Ugh, not again.
“Hey, friend,” Stan said. “What’s up?”
“Hey, Stan.”
Stan eyed Grey. “Are you her new hookup? We hung out. It was cool. She’s a good time, right?”
A growl rumbled out of Grey. He crossed his arms, glared at Stan, and said nothing.