Red Awakening (Red Zone 2)

He ripped his mouth from hers. “Let’s get a drink.”

“But I like dancing with you,” Keiko said as she flowed against him, like satin over skin.

Shaking his head to clear it, he fought to get his mind off his needs and onto his mission. “We could get to know each other a little better.”

Huge, dark eyes looked up at him. “Let’s get to know each other right here.” She ran her hands up his chest, making his muscles clench with the need to return the gesture. “This is definitely working for me. Please tell me it’s working for you, too. I like touching you. I like how we feel together. Do we need to know anything else about each other?”

There was no stopping the moan that escaped. “You have got to be the most perfect woman on the planet.”

“Don’t lose sight of the mission, mon ami,” Striker said in his ear.

Keiko’s smile was pure seduction. “I’m far from perfect, Mace. I’m just a woman who knows what she wants. And right now, I want you.” She trailed kisses along his jaw. “Why make this complicated? Let’s just give each other what we need.”

“I think we shoul

d talk first. Get a drink, maybe. I’m thirsty. Are you thirsty?” He sounded like a babbling teen on his first date. It was humiliating, but he was desperate. His control was slipping fast, and he needed to get it back or he’d blow the op completely.

“What are you doin’?” Striker demanded. “She’s giving you the perfect opening to get her out of there.”

“I don’t have as much control as I’d like,” Mace said to Striker.

“I like the idea of you being out of control,” Keiko answered, thinking his comments to his team leader were for her. “We just need to take it out of here. Because at this rate, we’re going to combust on the dance floor.” Reaching up, she angled his head down until her lips were against the ear that thankfully didn’t have a comm device in it. “In case I’m not being clear, I want you inside of me. I want you naked. And I want you now.”

His answer was a pained groan before his lips hit hers again. The kiss was desperate. It was on fire, burning him alive. When they broke apart, she touched her fingers to kiss-swollen lips, and he felt a primitive satisfaction at the sight.

“Damn.” He buried his face in her throat, his lips teasing her sensitive skin.

She arched her neck for him. “Can we leave now?”

“Yeah,” Mace said.

Striker cursed. “About time.”

She reached up and stroked his cheek. “Take me to your hotel.”

“Okay.” He breathed the word as his arms tightened around her.

Flashing a smile filled with promise, Keiko stepped back and took his hand in hers. And then it was her turn to lead him through the crowd. All Mace could do was follow as he tried to figure a way out of his predicament. The mission was turning into a disaster.

“This isn’t going to plan,” Mace muttered into his comm unit as he followed Keiko through the throng. “We need to abort.”

“Just bring her back to the hotel, and we’ll deal with it here.” Striker’s calm voice eased some of the burning tension within Mace. “All you need to do is get her out of there.”

“Whatever you do, don’t have sex with her,” Friday added, ratcheting his tension straight back up. “It’s unethical.”

“I’m not going to have sex with her.” Maybe. If he could stop it. Could you have accidental sex? He suspected he was about to find out.

“You’re doing great,” Striker said. “You’ve made contact, you’re taking her to your hotel. We’re right on track.”

“Yeah.” He let out a heavy breath. “You’re right. We’re still on track. You guys will be there waiting, right?”

“Sandi, Gray, and me,” Striker assured him. “Just like we planned.”

His stomach roiled at the words. The woman in front of him had no idea what his team had planned for her. This evening wasn’t going to end the way she hoped. And it made him sick to think about it.

“This feels wrong,” Mace said a little too loudly.

Keiko looked back at him. “Did you say something?”