“Call me once you make contact.” Shadow ended the call and hit the highway.
****
Riley heard the front door open. She was beyond pissed off and ready to give Shadow a piece of her mind. When she’d woken up on the floor, unable to free herself or even stand up straight, she’d panicked until she convinced herself Shadow had to return at some point.
When he peered in the doorway, she frowned. “Why am I handcuffed? I told you I was okay with you handling your business, didn’t I?”
“I know you, Riley. You’re too curious for your own good. I didn’t want you to get hurt.”
“I wasn’t going to do anything.”
He bent down and unlocked the cuffs, massaging her wrist once she was free. “I’m sorry, baby. It’s been a fucked-up day.”
“Look, you have to trust me. How can we have a relationship without trust?”
Shadow smirked. “You’re right. I’m so used to relying on myself, not trusting anyone. It’s a hard way to live.” He helped her to her feet, and pulled her close.
There was something in his eyes, something different, almost defeated. She didn’t like it. As much as she’d love to ream him out for everything—the assassins, the cameras, the handcuffs—she couldn’t. She just wanted to love him, to be the rock he needed. He’d given her a sense of security and belonging since coming into her life, so she knew how precious that feeling was.
“Things are different now,” she said. “At least I hope they are.”
He kissed her on the lips, just once. “I do trust you, I’m just terrified of losing you.”
She cupped his cheek. “I’ve survived this long. You won’t be able to get rid of me that easily.” Then she thought about why he’d been gone in the first place. Had things gone well? Did she still need to stay cooped up or could she return to her bakery and live her life? “So, what happened? Did you find out what’s going on?”
He released her waist and ran a hand through his tousled hair. “It was a mess. I need to hear from Boss himself. Until I do, we need to wait this out.”
She scowled, but at least Shadow had come back to her alive. When she’d first woken up all she could think about was something terrible happening, never seeing her man again, and dying of starvation on the floor because he had the key.
“I don’t know how I’m ever going to get used to this,” she said. “Your life is crazier than my murder mystery books.”
“How’s the romance?”
Riley bit her lip. Just thinking about their emerging love life made her cheeks flush. “I guess it’s better than the books.” She couldn’t believe she’d just said that. All her adult life, she’d convinced herself that true love didn’t exist. Now she was living the dream.
Immediately, her thoughts drifted into forbidden territory. She’d never get enough of Shadow. “Did you kill anyone today?” She pushed his jacket off his strong shoulders, exposing his harnesses. One by one, she disarmed him, placing the weapons carefully on the counter.
“Not today.”
She ran her nails down the front of his t-shirt, then proceeded to work on his belt. “Maybe next time,” she said, focused on her task. The idea of fucking Shadow in his weapons room was an instant turn-on.
“I thought you were mad at me,” he said, holding her wrist in place before she could unzip his pants.
“Well, think of this as your chance to make it up to me.”
“You’re gonna regret those words.” He had fire brewing in his eyes now, his concern shifting to something dark and dirty. She swallowed hard, anticipation making her entire body hum with need.
He hoisted her up onto the counter, positioning himself between her legs. Shadow tugged off her shirt and removed her bra. “I love these tits,” he said, holding them up in his hands. She knew he wasn’t trying to be nice. His desire was palpable, and she felt drunk on the feeling of being wanted unconditionally.
His tongue flicked her nipple before he engorged himself, sucking and licking her breasts until she was holding his hair and panting his name.
“Are you wet for me, baby? You want me to fill your tig
ht little cunt with my cock?”
She nodded, her lust taking over, making her almost light-headed with desire. Riley loved how her big, stoic beast had such a dirty mouth during sex.
“I want to make you feel good, too,” she said.