Evidence of Passion (Shadow Agents 7)

She needs time to heal. She was under the water for too long.

He kicked away his boots. Tossed the socks that clung to him. He reached for the snap of his jeans, but then—then he thought he heard Rachel, crying out.

In an instant, he was at the bathroom door. “Rachel?”

She didn’t answer him. He lifted his fist and pounded on the door. “Rachel, are you all right?”

He heard a faint sound. A cry?

Dylan turned the knob. It was unlocked—and he was in that bathroom in the next instant.

Rachel was under the spray of the shower. Her shoulders hunched. Crying.

His heart twisted. No, the damn thing seemed to break in his chest.

She turned toward him then. His beautiful, strong Rachel. The water slid down her body. “I thought he’d kill you,” she confessed.

And he would have died to protect her, in an instant.

Dylan ditched his jeans. He climbed into that shower with her. He wrapped his arms around her and let the water pound down on them both. Her tears ripped into him. He hated to see her in pain. “We’re safe, baby. It’s over for Jack.”

“I didn’t mean what I said.”

Steam rose around them.

“You know that, don’t you, Dylan?”

I never loved you.

He swallowed and raised his head. He tipped back Rachel’s chin so that he could stare into her eyes. “I know.” Then, because he couldn’t hold back any longer, because her tears had broken his control and there was no going back for him, Dylan put his mouth on hers.

He’d breathed for her before.

Did she have any clue that he lived for her now?

Her arms rose and curled around his neck. Her body—wet, silken skin—pressed to his. Her lips opened. The kiss started soft, but they were both too raw for the gentleness to last.

Passion, need, grew.

His tongue thrust into her mouth. He licked her, tasted—demanded all from her.

Just as she demanded everything from him.

His hands swept over her body. Touch her everywhere. Keep her close.

He wanted her with him, always.

His fingers caressed her breasts. They were so perfect. They fit in his hands like they were made for him. He lifted her up, holding her easily. He took her nipple into his mouth. Sweet. So amazingly sweet.

She moaned and her hands slid over his back.

He kissed her flesh. Small scars that marked her body. That made him ache because he hated that she’d suffered.

On missions.

Because of Jack.

He kissed her scars again and wished that he could take away her pain.