“Shave me bald. I know. You’ve said it before.”
Dante dropped down onto the couch, amused by their interplay. “Will you two be okay?”
Greyson wrapped his arm around his wife’s waist, pulling her to his side. “The players aren’t dangerous, or at least that’s what Randall tells me. I just have to pretend to be someone I’m not, while the FBI does all the hard work.”
Curtis pointed out the obvious. “Look at what he wanted your wife dressed in. You think you can trust him? I’m sorry, but if it looks like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, smells like one, and acts like one, it probably is one. ”
Croft stared down at Emma’s sexily covered body. “I know I can’t trust him, but I believe in my girl.”
She pulled his lips down to hers. Emma was grateful that her husband was being calm and trusting her. It made her want to reward him. She fell into the kiss, and so did Greyson. It was when the men began laughing and taking bets if they could breathe, that they finally broke apart.
“Mmmmm, later, Em,” he whispered, knowing it was going to be a long night.
She fought to catch her breath. “Yes, Grey,” she replied, taking his hand in hers.
As he headed toward the door, he pointed at his partner. “Remember the job I gave you. If you forget, you’re fired.”
He stared at him. “Hey! I’m off duty. You can’t fire me.”
Croft grinned ferally. “Tonight, the rules have changed. I can do whatever I want.”
They watched him walk out with his wife, his hand possessively on her behind.
“I want to be him when I grow up. That’s all,” Curtis said, chugging his beer.
Dante snickered. “Yeah, I tried and couldn’t pull it off. Trust me. They’re big shoes to try and fill.”
As they walked out of the building, all the guards were staring at Emma like she was a piece of meat. Generally, they were overt with their gazes, but Croft had to admit, his wife was all sexified and in her glory tonight. The clothing left nothing to the imagination.
At all.
Croft glared at them all, pretty much marking his territory. When he got her outside, he whispered in her ear. “You better be ready for tonight, kitten. I’m feeling very possessive.”
Her heart skipped. “Yes, Grey,” she murmured as her body reacted to his words.
Just the look in his eyes was making her temperature rise.
During the day, Emma was a pretty self-assured person, who liked to run her own life, but when it came to being at Greyson’s side, she melted. There was something so completely erotic about a man who was in charge and wanted to protect you with all he had.
He was possessive.
Bossy.
Strong and sexy.
Emma was one lucky girl.
At the limo, they were met by a driver. “Director Croft, the money is inside the box and the case is geo tagged. We’re ready when you are, sir,” stated the undercover agent. “After the game, put your winnings in the case, and I’ll transport it to the office so we can begin tracing the serial numbers.”
“That’s easy, now if I can just win and not lose the shirt off my back,” he said, grinning.
The man nodded at Emma. “Mrs. Croft, you look lovely,” he stated. “Do you want us to put a wire on your wife?” he asked, pointing at her cleavage.
He wasn’t letting anyone touch her. “No, I’m tagged. She’ll be by my side the entire time. They won’t find mine, but the first place they’d look on her is there.”
She looked back and forth between the men. “It’s like I’m not a cop, and I don’t know where to hide a microphone.”
Croft laughed. “I’ll turn it on when we get ready to enter the hotel,” he stated.
“Yes, sir. Be safe, and we can have men in there in under two minutes.”
Croft nodded and helped his wife into the back of the limo. Once she was seated, he slid in beside her.
“Mason is going to know you’re stationing people outside the casino,” she said, adjusting herself.
This wasn’t his first day on the job. Mason may be slick, but he was ready. “No, he won’t. Ethan Blackhawk flew in agents from all over the place, hiding them in plain sight at the hotel as tourists. Where everyone would expect me to use my staff here, I didn't. I have no doubt that we’re being watched. Randall knows the driver is a Fed, because we wanted him to be aware. All his focus will be on him, and not the sweet older couples all over the place.”
Emma leaned over and ran her fingers through his hair. “That’s pretty tricky, Director” she stated, tugging on his lower lip with her teeth. “It makes me all hot and bothered.”
She wasn’t the only one.
He laughed as her hands slid across his body, firing him up. “If I wasn’t on my way to this game, we’d be home, and you’d be sitting in my lap, kitten.”
Emma was in the mood to give him what he wanted. Moving, she did just that.
“Oh, Emma,” he moaned, as her tightly clad behind rubbed against his already taught body. “You’re going to drive me insane tonight.”
She began working on his ear. “Good,” she whispered breathlessly. “When we get home, I’m going to climb all over you, Director.”
He was going to keep his little plan a secret. “That works for me, honey.”
Emma couldn’t resist and dove into his mouth like a starving woman. She plundered and stole with teeth and tongue. When he moaned deep into the kiss, she slowly broke away.
“God, I want to take you right now,” he muttered, trying to fight for control. “I want to rip off your clothes and mark you, so no man can doubt that you’re mine.”
He was thinking about his dog tags, and her lying naked, wearing nothing but them. Yeah, that was a fantasy burned into his mind.
“I hope you get to do just that, Grey,” she purred, chewing on her lower lip. “I’m so turned on by my powerful husband. You make me want to be very wild.”
Again, she wiggled and he stared down at her incredibly erotic shoes. “They’ll be staying on later, that’s for damn sure,” he muttered, running his fingertips up her leg slowly.
The silkiness of her skin was making it hard to breathe.
“Mmmmmmm,” she whispered, sliding her hands through his hair. “Whatever you want, Grey,” she promised.
“I’m not kidding, Emma,” he warned, as she nibbled at his neck and ear.
“I wasn’t either, Director Croft,” she replied. “I can’t wait to see my strong, powerful husband in action. It’s incredibly…stimulating.”
He took a deep breath, wanting to give her one more out. “Are you sure you want to do this, Em?” he asked, nerves surpassing lust. “Randall warned you that these men aren’t polite. I need to focus on getting enough of the money for the FBI to compare it to the funds from the last director.”
“I’ll be okay. Tonight, I’m not a detective. I’m your doting, sex kitten wife.”
“Amen,” he muttered. Normally, this would be a dream come true. What man didn't want a woman who lived only for him? Greyson truly believed that they were born decades too late. God, how he wished he could take her back to old Vegas for only one day.
There’d be mayhem.
Croft had to admit that there was something alluring about his wife being his to protect and watch over, like men used to do. It was a simpler time, and being a caveman was far easier.
“Forgive me for anything I say to you tonight that wouldn’t normally come out of my mouth.”
Emma giggled. “Oh, you mean the things that you normally think, but know to keep locked up?”
That entertained him.
“Yeah, all those chauvinistic things.”
She ran her fingers down his cheek reassuringly. “It’s a good thing that I love a stubborn, sexy, caveman.”
There was nothing more in the world that he was grateful for. Because she accepted him for the man he was, deep down inside, it made life easier. His woman was perfect, and he was blessed to
have her.
“I love you, Emma.”
“I adore you, Greyson,” she replied, offering him the words back to reassure him.
She kissed him on the lips and gazed down into his silvery eyes. They were no longer a serene gray, but now a turbulent storm cloud color.
It was her first indicator that it wasn’t just need and lust rolling through his body.
There was worry there too.
“I’m going to be safe,” she reassured, forcing him to look deep into her eyes.
He couldn’t help it. There was always a part of him that felt horribly guilty for dragging her into this mess. If they stayed in Celestia, Emma would be safe.
Their lives wouldn’t be on the line.
Men wouldn’t be checking her out.
Okay, that wasn’t true. Her deputies did that all the time.
But, at least they wouldn’t be wandering in to play poker with some of the filthiest animals in the city, including Randall Mason.
“Do you trust me, Grey?” she asked softly.
That she even had to ask him, proved how out of control he was.
“Of course I do, Emma.”
“There’s no one I trust more than you, either. So, we go in, you watch my back, and I’ll watch yours.”
He relaxed.
“I got the better deal,” he admitted, a small smile crossing his lips.
She disagreed. “Oh, you’re very wrong, Mr. Croft. I think you’re just as sexy coming as going.”
Greyson snorted.
“We’re almost here,” said the driver, rolling down the privacy screen.
Croft focused on the man. If he noticed the director’s wife sitting in his lap, he didn't even acknowledge it. He had to give him credit.
“I’ll pull up, help you out, and get in position. I’ll park the limo around the back and to the side exit. If you have to get out, there will be people stationed by the exits to extricate you both.”
“Thank you.”
“Turn on your bug, Director. The team wants to check to make sure you’re ready.”
Croft helped Emma out of his lap and pushed the pin on the side of his watch. Suddenly, the watch came to life, ticking and marking time. While he was sure that anyone inside would want to look inside his shirt, buttons or pants, no one was going to check his watch.
“We’re good, Director,” the agent said, parking the limo and getting out. He opened the door and stared in. “If you need us to come in, the key phrase is going to be ‘Maybe we should vacation in the Cape’.”
They both got it, but he wanted to reiterate one important thing. “Team, if anything happens, your priority is to get my wife out,” he said, knowing they heard him when the driver nodded. “She’s the one you need to protect. I’ll be fine.”
Now, Emma was getting nervous. This was a full blown FBI operation, and they were going in. Taking a deep breath, she prepared to go under.
Croft got out, and the lights flashed all around him. Obviously, Randall had alerted the media. Croft wanted to be seen coming out of Mason’s limo. It was a clear sign to anyone watching them where his interests in Vegas lay. No more was he going to look squeaky clean.
FBI directors didn't take rides in shady characters’ vehicles, unless they were walking in the shadows.
Yeah, it had begun.
Hopefully, the person after them got the point. They were already in Mason’s pocket.
He reached in to offer his wife a hand. “Ready, kitten?” he asked, staring into her clear green eyes.
“I have your back, Mr. Croft.”
Greyson didn't doubt that for a second.
Now, he only had to do the same.
~ Chapter Seven ~
Wednesday Evening
The stress was weighing on his shoulders. The detectives had gone through their files and extracted the names of a few possible suspects who might fit the case. Yet, he couldn’t let it go. For now, he was sitting there alone, as he double-checked his work.
It sucked, because he’d rather be heading home with his girlfriend. This profiling job was starting to interfere with his love life, and that was beginning to worry him. How long would his sweet Tessa stay with a man who was neglecting her?
Great.
More pressure.
After sending Tessa home, Paris was forced to recall the look on her face as she finally walked out the door.
It was one of disappointment.
That was all it took to plant the seeds of fear in his heart and mind. Now, he was scared shitless that he was going to lose her.
Leaning back in his chair, he found himself getting frustrated. His carefully ordered life was overwhelming him, and he wasn’t sure he could balance it all.
No, that wasn’t true. He was worried he’d drop the ball and someone would get hurt. There was the risk he’d be wrong and another agent would die, and now there was the terror that he’d hurt Tessa too.
It was making it hard to focus.
Suddenly, his phone began beeping, as he had an incoming text.
‘I need help! Meet me on the roof.’
His heart began pounding in his chest as he closed his files and raced out of the conference room. Not long ago, they found a utility room with a hatch. It led to the roof, and sometimes they would head there for a ‘meeting’.
Was it wrong to risk it?
Yes, but every now and again they couldn’t help but be weak. Now, his heart thundered at the possibility that something was wrong.
All he thought about was getting to Tessa’s side and making sure that she was safe.
Ensuring that no one saw him, he slipped into the utility closet and climbed up. Once he opened the hatch, he couldn’t believe what he saw.
Yes, Tessa was there, but it wasn’t the boring old roof. Instead, she had candles, a blanket, and dinner all set up.
“Are you okay?” he blurted, looking around. “What’s this?”
She grinned. “I’m good, and this is a romantic picnic under the stars. Since I couldn’t get you away from work, I brought it to you.”
He noticed that she’d changed and was wearing a dress. “Okay,” he said, cautiously.
“Are you hungry?” she asked, pulling out a container of fruit salad and two forks.
“Yes,” he answered, torn between work and play. His mind kept going back to the folders and the endless details waiting for him downstairs. So much needed to be done by morning, and he had quite a few hours ahead of him.
Tessa knew he was overthinking, by just the look on his face. Instead of letting it bother her, she made him focus on their picnic.
“Thank you,” he said, taking the plate. “So, what’s up?” he asked, looking around.
“I just wanted to have dinner with you.”
Tessa had been thinking about what Emma said to her earlier. If he wouldn’t ask her to marry him, she’d take the bull by the horns. Life was all about risks, and she was pretty sure he meant what he said, when he told her ‘I love you’.”
Paris didn't jump into anything, so, this was the next logical progression.
Right?
“I appreciate it, Tess, but we could have eaten in the conference room.”
Already, she was getting that sick feeling in the pit of her stomach. This wasn’t good.
“Yeah, we could have, but then it wouldn’t have been memorable.”
He agreed there. Unfortunately, his brain was so busy working on a profile that he was oblivious to the world around him. Yet, he knew this felt different.
Tessa was in a dress.
That kept catching his focus. Had he ever seen her in one before? At that moment, he couldn’t recall.
“Thank you for dinner,” he offered. “I guess I needed a break from work.”
She took it as her cue. “Good, because I want to talk to you about something.”
“Oh? What?”
“Us.”
He stared at her, eating a forkful of fruit salad. “What about?”
“Where do you see us in five years?” she asked, hoping she wasn’t being too subtle. Tessa was well aware that Paris, while super smart, wasn’t always good with hinting.
In fact, he sucked at it.
“Together.”
Okay, that was a good start. Tessa decided to push a little harder.
“I mean beyond that.”
He thought about it, trying to push aside the jumble of victims, suspects, and motives. “I guess where we are now. We’ll be partners and have each other.”
“I want more, Paris. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
He stared into her eyes. “I want that too.”
“I want to be your wife.”
Paris laughed. “We can’t get married, because we’re partners. In fact, if we get caught up here, we’re screwed.”
“I see.” Tessa’s heart broke a little at his laughter. It devastated her that he found her seriousness to be funny. What she had expected was for him to help her find a solution, not make it a joke.
“If we come out, we’re done.”
It was funny. A few weeks ago, she would have fought to keep him as her partner. Now, she was willing to let that go to have him as her husband.
Love changed everything.
“So, what are you saying?” she asked, dread filling her.
“Some things are out of our hands.”
She fought to not cry. “I see. I’ll let you get back to work,” Tessa stated, standing. “You can toss the rest of dinner. I’m not hungry,” she said.
Suddenly, he realized he’d missed something or made a huge tactical error. “Tessie, where are you going?” he asked, as he watched her walk away.
“Home,” she whispered, trying to not make a bigger fool of herself. This was all a bad idea.
She should have known better.
All the insecurities rose up in her, as her past and the feelings of abandonment resurfaced. Why she ever thought she’d be good enough to be someone’s wife, it was beyond her. After all, she wasn’t even worthy of being someone’s child.
“Tess! Wait!” he called, as she disappeared down the hatch and out of his sight.
What the hell had just happened?
Love is Bleeding (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 4) Page 16