Flash Burned (Burned 2)

I reiterated what he’d said, because it had merit. “Even the most meticulous criminals get caught because they do something absurd. They believe they’re beyond reproach. That’s when they fall.”

He studied me a moment, then said, “You are not going anywhere near Wayne Horton, Ari. Do you hear me?”

I sighed. “Dane. Honey.” I brushed my lips over his. He let out a low, sexy growl. Then returned the sensuous kisses, his lips twisting with mine.

Unfortunately, he seemed to realize something and his head jerked away. “You’ve never called me honey.” His gaze narrowed. “If you think for one a minute you’re going to sweet-talk me or seduce me into letting you take a crack at getting a confession from Horton, you’re seriously mistaken.”

Toying with the button on Dane’s shirt and peering at him from under my lashes, I said, “The sooner this is over, the sooner you can come home. For good. We can be together every night. And I promise you’ll enjoy making up for lost time.”

His eyes rolled and his head fell back against the top of

the sofa. “Jesus. You don’t play fair. My body aches for you every day and the thought of this being through so that I can get naked with you again anytime I want—” He let out a sharp breath.

I smiled.

But I’d only baited him so far—not hooked him.

He said, “These guys are going to turn on Vale, anyway. Put all the blame on him for anything related to the Lux to try to wash their hands of the blood—and get out of attempted-murder charges. I just need to finish what I’m doing.”

“But you have to rope in two remaining guys from the society. I only need one. And he’s here, Dane. Somewhere under my nose. Looking for me, I suspect.”

His head lifted and he pinned me with a grave expression. “The answer is no. You’ve been in jeopardy enough. There is no chance in hell I would willingly allow you to—”

“What if you were there with me? Amano, too? The FBI? Close by. And we met in an open spot, someplace public where he couldn’t grab me and drag me off?”

“He’d see it coming a mile away, baby. He’s been setting traps—he’d recognize when the tables were turned on him, trust me.”

“Not if it was an accidental run-in. Somewhere he frequents.”

“Like Denny’s?” Dane smirked.

I glowered. “Does Amano deliver verbatim reports, or what?”

“Pretty much. And while I found your reasoning sound, it was still amusing.”

“I’m so happy you like my sense of humor.” I tried to slip from his lap, a little peeved he didn’t take me seriously.

But his strong arms caged me. “Ari, just try to understand that I love you too much to let you do anything dangerous.”

“Marrying you was dangerous,” I countered.

His expression turned even grimmer. I hadn’t thought that possible. “I take full responsibility for the trouble I’ve brought to your life. Trust me when I say it keeps me up at night. But, Ari, needlessly inviting that trouble in will make this worse for both of us.”

“I wasn’t blaming you,” I said, my tone softer as I tried to smooth the crinkle between his eyes with my fingertip. “I just want to help, Dane. And I want to be done with all of this, too. I want you back. Not every now and then, but all the time. Permanently.”

He pulled me closer and held me tight. “I know, baby. I want the same. But this is not the answer.”

“I disagree. It could work, Dane. It’s worth a try.”

“No. It’s not.” He kissed me. “No more discussion.” He stood, with me in his arms, and carried me off to bed.

* * *

Dane returned a week later. He couldn’t seem to stay away. I didn’t mind.

He didn’t bother with pleasantries this time, just came into the living room, took my hand, and led me down the hall to our suite. He kicked the door shut behind him, not turning on any lights, so that the only illumination came from the reflection of the rippling water against one wall from the pool lights.

Whirling me around so my back was to the door, he clasped my wrists with one of his large hands and raised my arms above my head. He kissed me hard, passionately, somewhat angsty, even. As though all the pressure and separation had finally gotten to him.