Stealing His Heart (Shillings Agency 2)

He should know better. She didn’t run scared of anything.

Especially not him.

Looking at her from beneath lowered lids, he shifted his weight. “You have no idea how good that feels. But you don’t have to touch the scars.”

“You know what I see when I study you?” She moved up his leg more, reaching mid-calf. “I see bravery.” Moving higher, she lowered her mouth to his, stopping an inch from him. “I see heroic actions and I see you. But I don’t see ugliness.”

A broken sound escaped him, and he gripped her. “Tara…I…”

“Sh.” She flipped her wrist, entwining her fingers through his. Leaning in, she kissed his chin dimple. “You don’t have to say anything at all. I wanted you to know.”

Crawling over his injured leg into the empty space between his thighs, she massaged his thigh, dipping her fingers under his boxer briefs. His muscles tensed, and he arched his hips. The vulnerability in his gaze, and the motions of his body, made her want him more than ever.

Another inch higher…

She closed her fingers over his shaft, squeezing gently. He thrust into her hand, gripping her hips tightly. “Tara.”

“Yes?” She cupped his balls, tugging ever so slightly. “What do you want, sir?”

“You. Only you.” He swallowed. “I know how hard it is for you to give yourself over to me, to submit. So…I’m giving you control. This one time.”

She froze. She knew, more now than ever before, how hard it was for him to say that. To submit to her. He was giving her something huge. He was giving her his trust.

And she wouldn’t let him down.

“Good.” She lowered her head and nibbled on his ear, biting just enough to sting. He shuddered. “My first order? Touch me.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He gripped her sides, closing on her breasts. “Like that?”

She moaned when he palmed her, rolling her nipples between his fingers. Even through the fabric of her shirt and bra, she could feel his skin burning her. “Yes.”

He arched his hips up. His cock pressed against her, teasing her. Making her want more. She scrambled to undo his vest, needing to see him naked. To feel his skin. To admire his tattoos, and study them up close for once.

Last night, he’d tied her up so she couldn’t touch him, and in the supply closet, he’d been fully clothed. This time, they would do it right. He tilted his face up, letting her take control of the kiss, as he’d promised. When she undid the first button, he tensed.

“Shit.” Catching her hand, he said, “I hate to say this, but you need to stop.”

“You’re not the one in charge of this. I am.” She leaned in so her mouth was barely touching his. “Why would I stop now, when I’m starting to have fun?”

He grasped her hips, holding her still. “Because in one minute, my boss Cooper will be opening that door, and I’d rather have my pants on when he does. And he damn well isn’t going to get to see you bent over, ass naked and in the air. That’s for my eyes only.”

Heart racing, she jumped off him and tugged her skirt back down. As far as ways to dispel heated lust went, hearing that his boss was about to open the door was right up there with an ice-col

d bucket of water. “How long till he’s here?”

“Not long enough.” He slipped his pants back on and watched her the whole time. “And he’s going to expect me to have answers that I don’t have.”

She clenched her hands in front of her, the guilt choking her again. He wouldn’t actually get in trouble because of her inability. Only she’d suffer. “I can’t help you.”

“Can’t?” He turned her way again. “Or won’t?”

She didn’t answer.

When he realized she didn’t intend to, he balled his fists at his sides. “I want to save you, and I wish you would let me. Why won’t you let me?”

She opened her mouth to say…what? She had no clue.

But the safe door opened, and the man she could only presume was Cooper Shillings stood silhouetted in the doorway. He had brown hair, green eyes, and was hot as hell. Almost as hot as Jake.