Caden answered knowing Reece would have a hard time answering the latter part of her question.
“For time. Hear us out when the time comes, sweetheart. That’s all we ask.”
“Umm, yeah, Yes.”
Reece hadn’t realized he was holding his breath until he heard her single, breathy answer.
“We’ll figure this out together. You won’t be alone. As for everyone else, I dare anyone to say anything to you.”
Slowly Abagail lifted her head to look at him with her expressive eyes. Her breath hitched as if she’d been holding her breath too, but her hand didn’t move from Caden’s lap.
Reece took her other hand and placed it on his lap. The smile she rewarded him with calmed the stress and tension that had taken over when he’d seen how close the rounds had come to hitting her and refused to lessen even after kissing her.
In the span of a few seconds ten years had leeched from his life tonight.
What was it about this woman? He and Caden had spent the last five months tied in arguments over what they should do about the growing attraction between them. He’d argued they were too rough for someone so sweet but he couldn’t back down or walk away either. Keeping their distance was no longer an option. What they had burned hotter the more time they were together. Hellfire would be easier to contain than the burning desire eating at his soul to have her delicious tiny body wrapped around him.
“Okay Romeos, we’re ten minutes out from the hangar. There’s no tail on us. We should be good.” Dane called over his shoulder, his obvious smirk highlighted in the yellow-tinged street lamps that lined the highway leading to the private hangar.
Reece drew Abigail closer to his side and Caden leaned in and whispered for only them to hear.
“Sweetheart, you stir the fire and light the world with those beautiful amber eyes and the trust you’ve given us. Reece and I both promise to never break that. Give us just a little longer and we’ll prove it to you.”
Chapter Five
Abigail sucked in a calming breath. If Caden kept looking at her with that heated promise in his eyes there was no telling what she would do next. Challenge them on all those dirty promises? That sounded fun and a whole lot better to think about than their current situation.
She turned to Reece to see how Caden’s words settled with him. The same lust that filled Caden’s eyes shined back at her through Reece’s. The man was a perplexity rolled up in the sexiest man she dreamed of taking her.
Caden gave her leg a small squeeze right above her knee and leaned into her. Subtle undercurrents shot up her leg and landed straight between her legs. Her tigress stretched and purred, ready to pounce. “We’ll continue this later. Ready to hit the pavement?”
The SUV rolled to stop on the tarmac and Caden rushed her on board the Re-con’s private jet while Reece stayed behind to give final instructions to their team.
Abigail settled in one of the soft leather chairs positioned up along the walls of the cabin, leaving the single-aisle wide open. She’d only been on the plane one other time for client meetings with the guys a few months back. It had been a new experience and a rush of excitement for her at the time. Now, under the current circumstances, it all seemed too much. Being whisked away by two men who in one breath confused her and in the next made her crave all the dark desires that filled her dreams. Something that never crossed her mind before coming to work for Re-Con.
Abigail fiddled with the strap of her unfastened seat belt. Emotions bombarded her from every direction. The loss of her home, being under attack, and the way both men were obviously holding nothing back in the desire department. It was like both Reece and Caden knew her fantasies and wanted to make them come true.
She could feel both men’s gazes track her as she stood and quickly passed Caden who was quietly speaking with the pilot and made her way to the bathroom before the tears spilled.
She locked the door behind her and stared at herself in the tiny mirror hanging over the even smaller sink. She blinked several times then rested her forehead on the cool glass. “Now what? You’ve lost everything you saved so long for tonight.” Little as it was, it was still hers. The country house was her first home. Ever. Growing up, her sister had tried to give her that home, but with her mom’s alcohol problem and her dad’s passing it all seemed so fake.
After graduating, she’d finally had enough for the two-bedroom house on the outskirts of Los Angeles. It was close to an hour commute to work every day, but that didn’t matter. She loved her solitude. A smile touched her lips. And the late-night skinny dipping in the lake had been her own little secret. That was until today’s events. She bit down on the tender flesh of her lip, unable to shake the violated feeling that settled over her.
She’d had plans to plant a garden filled with watermelons and green beans. The latticework they’d used to escape would have supported her favorite climbing rose. Now that was lost too. Her plans literally nothing more than ash.
But why?
Abigail raked her hands through her tousled strains of hair, burying her fingers deep. She tugged on the roots, desperate to feel anything else but the barbed wire constricting her heart.
She shook her head. She needed answers but no one had them. And that scared her. Her sister would be so mad at her for letting herself get into this mess. Only Abigail didn’t know what the hell she’d done to begin with.
Speaking of her sister, she should probably call and let her know what happened. Abigail patted her pocket and pulled out the company phone Caden gave her.
A single tear escaped despite her battle to keep them at bay. She would give her sister a call once they were in the air and she had time to gather her riotous emotions.
A knock sounded on the door and she jumped, quickly dashing a stray tear away. “You all right in there, sweetheart?” Concern filled Caden’s words and she couldn’t hold back the small smile that came at the sound of his voice. She was safe here, with them. With the exception of her older sister, Shay, no one had ever stepped forward for her like Reece and Caden had tonight.
“Sí, I’ll be out in a second.” She forced a strength she didn’t feel into her words. They had more important things on their plates than to worry about her state of mind and her little house.
“I have a change of clothes and a couple of small towels. We have enough time before takeoff for you to wash a bit. I’ll leave it outside the door for you.”
That sounded good.
She listened for a few seconds until she heard his footsteps fall away from the door. Abigail let out the breath trapped in her chest and opened the door to grab the clothes. She turned and caught a glimpse of her reflection. Puffy red eyes stared back at her and a tangled mess of hair topped off the disheveled look. Pieces of ash scattered across her dark locks. Fabulous. What she’d do for a brush.
Abigail raked her fingers through the strands and rinsed the parts that had the most ash. She patted her hair dry and got to work on the rest of her body.
She peeled away the once white T-shirt and jeans and made quick work of using a corner of the towel to wash.
Satisfied, Abigail fixed her unruly strands as best as she could and pulled on the borrowed T-Shirt and sweats. There was no helping her eyes, but that was the least of her problems.
Abigail made her way to the front of the cabin where Reece had joined them just as she closed in on where Caden sat with his laptop on one of the tabletops, already running information from the looks of it.
“Final checks are almost done. Wheels up in ten. Hang tight.” Caden gave a nod, then returned to his work.
Reece turned to her and his attention zeroed in on her eyes. She held his gaze, unable to move under the power of his dark stare. She swallowed and he came to sit by her.
Reece ran a hand around her nape, his fingers gently massaging her tense muscles. She melted into his strong hands and let the world disappear for a long moment. He would consume her utterly and completely if given the chance.
>
“When we’re in the air, all three of us are going to have that talk Caden promised. And when we do, darling, the only tears you’ll have will be of pure ecstasy.” Her lashes brushed against her cheeks and her mouth fell slack.
Various moments tonight she had felt him pull back from her, but his words contradicted the signals she picked up from him. Maybe the smoke had clogged more than her lungs.
Her inner tigress didn’t seem to care about the details, though. His words sent a whirlwind of cold and hot flashes of clashing emotions to cascade over her.
She wanted him.
Wanted Caden.
Craved all the naughty promises they whispered to her.
But if they did what his words promised, did they want her for more than a fling? If not, could she walk away when the time came?
Reece’s attention fell to her mouth. He pulled back slightly, hiding beneath hooded eyes, but she saw the fire that burst to life as he watched her. No way could he hide the heat that radiated off him. No mixed messages there.
This close it almost scorched her. In all honesty, she craved his kind of burn just as much as she craved the sweet air in her lungs.
Reece tipped her chin up to him and captured her lips in a slow burning kiss that heated her up from the center outward.
Warm. Soft. Bold and claiming.
Trapped air tightened in her chest.
She pressed closer. Everything Reece was as a man she felt in the way his lips devoured hers.
Abigail tilted her head back to allow better access. Desire replaced all the conflicting emotions battling for control over her senses.
Reece’s tongue caressed across the seam of her lips, demanding entrance. She parted and he took over. He moved the hand from her neck and combed his fingers through her hair, gripping her locks, pulling her closer, deeper. His taste and need for control drugged her with his own brand of passion.
As if he could read her mind, he tightened his grip.
Her pussy clenched as heat shot through her body and struck her core.
Every feminine muscle south of her belt quivered with need so fierce a moan tore from her and she broke their kiss.
He consumed her to the very soul. With little effort she could easily become addicted to his taste.
He didn’t know it yet, but one taste and she already knew it wouldn’t be enough. What would happen if she let him claim her body? The thought made her center tighten with all the luscious possibilities.
Caden moved up behind her and rested his hands on her waist. Heat from both stalwart Marines engulfed her.
She turned her gaze to him. By the hungry look he angled her way, Caden was on board with Reece’s plan. Lust danced in his eyes and he aimed it all at her.
Caden peered over the top of her head and spoke to Reece. “If you got the first kiss, I want the first taste.” There was no misunderstanding what he meant by that.
“I’m not throwing on the brakes here, but do you guys always move so fast?”
With his hands on her hips, Caden eased her around to face him. “In our line of work, we move fast when we know what we want. No time to waste. And then you happened. It’s taken this long for us to claim you as ours because we couldn’t get our act together. You’re so damn innocent and we are exactly your age. But I think we have that worked out.” Caden flicked his eyes up to Reece as though he wanted to drive a point home then returned his attention to her. Reece’s grip tightened on her waist where his hands rested close to Caden’s.
She didn’t have to be a rocket scientist to sense the tension between the two. Because of her? She gave a small sigh.
Caden cupped her face. “We plan to remedy our error. And now there’s really no going back for any of us from this point.”
“He’s right.” Reece gave his friend backup from behind her, his hands resting where Caden’s had just seconds before. Only his grip was firmer, more possessive. Tighter through the thin cotton band of her sweats.
“So what now?” She sounded breathy as if her words hung on the very air he exhaled.
Caden slipped a finger beneath her chin. “First, I get a little taste.”
He captured her lips, gently stroking her tongue with his. But she didn’t want the gentle test-the-waters kind of kiss.
She pushed deeper. Where Reece was bold, claiming Caden’s kiss was tender and unhurried. She didn’t know which she liked better. No. Not better, she corrected. No way she could pit either man against the other.
Fisting her hands in his shirt, she pulled him closer.
He obliged, his hands sliding leisurely from just beneath her breasts to the hem of her sweatpants. Seconds turned to minutes as she melted into his touch, their touch.
Her world took on another dimension and she soared, intoxicated by the power both men infused in her. Kissing two men sent a thrill through her like a lightning bolt. Everything sparked to life, and her veins vibrated with energy.
Caden stepped back slowly from her and his warmth receded. She dropped her hands from his shirt and murmured with slight protest.
“If kissing me was the first bullet point, what’s the second?”
Her question solicited a smile from both men.
Reece smiled and responded in a lazy drawl. “I assure you, we’d like to stay right where we are at, but I’m pretty sure the pilot is getting impatient. We better take our seats and buckle up. After that, we’ll get to work on finding out who’s behind today’s shit storm. Sound good?”
Abigail was bordering the edge of her comfort zone. Maybe a breather would do them all good. Time to think and reassess.
“Good idea.”
Caden reached between them and gathered her smaller hands in his, and then placed small kisses on the tops of each as he led her to their seats.
“Mr. Sterling, we’re ready for takeoff, sir,” the pilot called to Reece from the direction of the cockpit, breaking the spell both men held over her.
Reece leveled his attention on her. “Wait for me.”
Caden gave her hand a gentle squeeze then returned to his seat across the aisle from her.
“Not that I have anywhere else to go, right?” Abigail tried for nonchalant but only mustered a half smile. Reece narrowed his eyes and Caden shook his head. Damn, she really needed a filter between her head and her mouth.
Her cheeks flamed. “I’m sorry. That came out wrong. I really appreciate all this.” She gestured to the plane and the data Caden had pulled up on his laptop, which currently showed her employee profile. “It’s just a lot to take in.”
“I read you loud a clear, Abigail. We know this can’t be easy. But you can trust us.” Before walking off to speak with the pilot, Reece smiled, a warm and inviting gesture that reached his eyes. She took a mental picture and tucked it away for those special occasions when she needed something positive to recall during all this craziness.
She reclined against the head support and breathed out heavily. Reece and Caden were going to tie her in so many knots she’d never be free of them.
That brought about a warring thought. Did she ever want to be free? Her heart knew one answer and her head screamed for her to some sense of logic.
Heat warmed her face, and she pressed her knuckles into her cheeks and let her eyes drift closed. She needed to remove herself from the chaos a minute to catch her breath. Everything was moving so fast. They were moving too fast, sweeping her into a tailspin of desire at every turn.
But she couldn’t shake a nagging question. What if all this led to nothing more than a crash and burn? A quick fling brought on by the excitement of the night and the danger. She fantasized about being theirs, but at what cost?
She’d spent plenty of restless nights thinking about them but never thought anything would come of her fantasies. That was the point of having naughty thought, right? They were the safe zone where you could act out any number of sinful fantasies.
Now that they were way past first base and heading toward home plate, she n
eeded to think, and fast. The guys seemed serious about protecting her. And there was no denying more came with the package. Could she take this further and still maintain a level of professionalism?
She laughed at her train of thought. Who was she kidding?
Warning bells sounded in her head about getting involved with her bosses. What would everyone think of her at work? Nothing good, that was for sure. If she followed through with the connection she felt toward both men, she’d have to find another job.
On that thought, she’d have to find another place to live too. Fingers of dread wound through her and tied into knots in her stomach. Thank God she’s skipped lunch and had no dinner to speak of or it might be all over the thick carpet at her feet right about now.
Flashing orange lights zipped below her small portal window and she watched the last of the crew clear the area so they could take off.
Caden’s cell rang, interrupting her train of thought. She turned to him and he motioned her closer.
“Hey, Sam, thanks for getting back with us. Sorry for taking you away from your family so late at night. Did Dane give you the rundown on what happened today?”
There was a short pause before Caden spoke. “Good. Listen, Sam, I need you to run a partial plate number from one of the vehicles we spotted tonight.”
Abigail pulled out the folded piece of brown paper bag Dane had written down for her from her front sweat’s pocket and handed it over to Caden.
“There’s more. Dane will send you photos of Ms. Torres’ vandalized car and the item left behind intended as a death threat for our client in the morning. We’d like to keep the car as evidence in our storage under lock and key until we get this all figured out. The less they know about what we have so far the better, know what I mean?”
Caden paused a noticeable amount of time, his face turning grimmer each minute. Whatever he was hearing he didn’t like. He locked a dark gaze on her before continuing with the person on the other end.
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