Off the Record (With Me in Seattle Mafia 3)

Slowly, so slowly I have to bite my lip, he slides inside me and frames my face with his hands. I can feel the emotion coming off him in waves, and it absolutely takes my breath away.

“Your heart matches mine,” I reply softly and take one of his hands in both of mine, linking our fingers as I hold his gaze. “We’re linked, bonded. Together. And no matter what life throws at us, that will never change, Rafe.”

“God, I love you so much.” His mouth closes over mine, and his hips begin moving. But nothing about our joining is rushed. Nothing is urgent. It’s the purest form of lovemaking there is. As intimate as it gets.

When we were young, we made love often, lost in each other. But now that we have our second chance, it’s so much…more.

More intense.

More meaningful.

“Mine,” he whispers. “Open your eyes.”

I comply and find him watching me with those fiery blue depths.

“You’re mine, Annika. Today and every day that I walk this Earth. You’re the only one for me. Do you understand?”

“Of course, I understand. Because I feel exactly the same.” My hand dives into his hair, my fingers tangling in the strands as I hold on, enjoying every moment with this man that I love so much.

With his forehead pressed to mine, he picks up speed and sends us both over that delicious crest into oblivion, where I feel so connected to him, I’m not sure where I end and he begins.

We are one.

We always have been.

“Mine,” he says again before kissing me so tenderly, it brings tears to my eyes. “Why are you crying?”

“Because I thought this, you, were lost to me. And this is all the sweeter because of it.”

“I’m never letting you go again,” he promises and kisses my hand. “Ever. If something were to happen, and our families forbade it, we’d leave them. I will not be without you, Annika. I can’t. I lived through that torture for far longer than any man should have to. I’ll do everything in my power to always have you by my side.”

“I know.” I kiss him sweetly. “I know it. And I’m right here with you. Nothing’s ever going to tear us apart again.”

He rolls to the side, unlinking us, and then pads into the bathroom.

“Sun’s coming up,” he calls as he starts the shower. “Pop wants to get an early start.”

“Yeah.” I sigh, a little sad that our wonderful moment is over. But there will be more.

A lifetime of moments, just like this one and better.

“I want to talk a bit about today before we’re with the others,” Rafe says as he pokes his head out of the bathroom.

“Okay. What’s up?”

“I want you on the periphery of everything that happens today. If you can stay in the van, all the better. I don’t want you to see any action.”

I frown, but he keeps talking.

“I’m not saying that to sound sexist. Yes, you can shoot—probably better than I can. And you’re damn smart. But you haven’t trained for these situations. You’re a doctor. A damn good one.”

“Now you’re just buttering me up so I say, ‘Yes, sir.’”

“No. I’m not saying anything that isn’t completely true.” Steam starts billowing out of the bathroom from the hot shower. “These are dangerous people, A.”

“I’m well aware of that.”

“Nothing can happen to you.”

“Likewise.” I stand from the bed, also stark-naked, and prop my hand on my hip. “We have the same goal, Rafe. To get in and out alive while making sure the target is eliminated.”

“I don’t want you in the middle of it.”

“Too late. I am in the middle of it. And I’ll be surrounded by people who have far more experience than I do. I won’t do anything to put anyone in harm’s way. I’m not careless. This may not be my specialty, but Tarenkov blood runs through my veins. I can handle myself.”

“You stick close to Curt or Nadia. You keep your weapon on you at all times, and don’t be afraid to use it. And, Annika, I’m only going to say this one time… If something happens to me, you absolutely cannot jump into the middle of things out of pure emotion. You’ll instinctively want to run to me, help me, but you will only put yourself in danger. Keep that cool head of yours on straight. It’ll keep you alive.”

I blow out a long breath, the thought of something happening to Rafe turning my blood cold.

“I’ll keep my head on straight,” I promise him. “But, Rafe, if something happens to you, I’ll never forgive you.”

He walks to me and pulls me into his arms, rocking us back and forth. “It’s just a what-if, baby. I want you to be prepared for anything, and I need you to stay safe. That’s my primary objective today. To keep you absolutely safe.”