Burned Deep (Burned 1)

But that wasn’t something I could reconcile just yet, so I said, “I support whatever you’re doing. I know it doesn’t really matter, but—”

“It does, Ari.” His hands squeezed mine and our gazes locked in the glass pane as I looked around his broad shoulder. “You have no idea how much.”

I kissed his upper arm. Then he turned and led me over to one of the oversize leather chairs in front of the fireplace. He sat and pulled me into his lap, my legs curling as I huddled close and flattened my palms against his pecs.

“What’s really going on?” I asked in a soft voice.

“There’s so much I don’t want to tell you. To keep you safe.”

“Seems like, after yesterday, it’s better that I know everything. Knowledge is power, haven’t you heard?”

He chuckled, without humor.

“How do you know a sultan? And is Nikolai Vasil Russian?”

“Yes, he is. I met them through Ethan.”

This confused me. “Was he really a professor at Harvard, or is that some sort of cover?”

“You have an active imagination.”

“Not so much. I just know there’s more to this situation than meets the eye. You and your friends spent all day discussing the Lux—”

“It wasn’t just about the Lux. And we’re not friends. We’re associates, partners. There’s nothing social related to my acquaintances with them.”

That sounded rather ominous. “Except with Ethan, right?”

“He’s the one exception.”

“Why?”

“Ari.” His hand smoothed over my bare leg, caressing lightly.

“You’re trying to distract me,” I murmured against his neck.

“Why isn’t it working?”

“Because I’m trying to learn your deepest, darkest secrets.”

“Maybe I just need to put a little effort into this.” He unbuttoned the shirt I wore and slipped a hand inside, cupping my breast.

“Clever. But I’m still asking questions.” Despite how torn I was, thinking I ought to say to hell with knowing what he hid from me and let him take me to bed. “How do you know these men?”

His head fell back against the top of the chair. “Is this a ‘must know’?”

I kissed his tight jaw and whispered, “I love you, remember?”

His head lifted and he pinned me with a serious look. “You never actually said the words.”

“But you already knew I felt it. And I’m telling you now. It’s only fair.”

“You’re a little bit devious.”

“You made me that way.”

“Hmm.” He didn’t seem to like that reality.

“It was the promise of hot sex from the get-go that corrupted me,” I said. “Since we’re in this boat together, tell me what’s going on.”