To Russia With Love (Countermeasure Series)

by Aubrey, Cecilia; Almeida, Chris

  “I gather you don’t want to work right now, either?”

  “Nope. Too comfy. Just want to stay right here like this.”

  Trevor draped his arm around her shoulders, bringing her closer. He rested his head back on the seat and closed his eyes, just enjoying the moment. But his thoughts bounced to the last set of transcripts George had sent them. They still had to establish the course of action they would need to take based on visual surveillance of the location where Mikhailov’s developers worked and where his servers were housed. They would handle that once they were settled.

  They were so close to achieving their goal he could almost taste it. It was a race against the clock, and they were both determined to win.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Surrender

  THURSDAY NIGHTS WEREN’T AS BUSY as Fridays and weekends at Stephan’s favorite pub. The busy place transformed into an intimate environment, more suitable for the private conversation that was about to take place. Stephan stepped toward the back of the great room and selected the farthest table from the door. It was cozy, secluded, and away from the noisy bar.

  He sat facing the entrance. He wanted to see her when she walked in. Although the last few days had somewhat solidified things in his mind, he was still unsure of the outcome of this little talk—things were sure to take a turn that night, regardless of the outcome.

  The waitress popped in at his table for the second time, asking if he wanted something to drink. He waved her off again. He didn’t want a drink. He wanted his mind clear when the conversation took place.

  Impatient, he flicked his wrist and looked at the time. Five past eight. Is she going to stand me up? His brows creased at the thought, but, as his eyes were drawn to the entrance, his insides twisted in knots. She had arrived.

  She stepped further into the pub and, in that very moment, he knew he had made the right decision. Stephan watched her eyes casing the room, searching for him. When they collided with his, his heart rate accelerated, his breathing became deeper, and his groin tightened. A smile swept across her face and the ingrained confidence that had drawn him to her sparked in her eyes. He was doomed and he was fairly certain she knew it. The public place had been a smart choice and would ensure they dotted the i’s and crossed the t’s without succumbing to the deep pit of attraction their proximity created each and every time.

  His gaze held hers as she crossed the room toward him. There was an inherent sensual quality to her walk that affected him like a well-aimed arrow, straight through his being.

  He stood and pulled out a chair for her as she closed the distance between them. Before taking the chair, without a second of hesitation, she placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth. That simple gesture sent his pulse careening and left him momentarily speechless.

  Once she was seated, he reclaimed his chair across from her. Their eyes locked and the air buzzed with electricity with that one look.

  After a charged moment, she broke the silence. “Hello, Stephan. I have to admit, I was surprised to get your call. I never thought you would even keep my card after the incident with Terese. So…what’s this all about?”

  Stephan studied Jessica, traced the line of her delicate neck, the curve of her lips with his eyes. She parted her lips as if his visual caress was somehow palpable to her. Just as she had done before.

  There was no more denying that he wanted her. Stephan couldn’t fight the need to be around her, with her. He couldn’t avoid something that had already happened—his surrender to the emotions she dug from deep inside him.

  “I wanted to apologize for my behavior the other day at lunch.”

  Jessica sighed heavily and sat back in her chair. “You’re not the only one who should apologize. I reacted badly to the whole incident with Terese. Your lack of introduction between us, the red cape she waved in front of me loud and clear. You were right. I did behave childishly. Hopefully I didn’t cause any problems between you. That was never my intention.”

  He frowned. Is she dismissing me? “No. What I mean is, Terese and I…we had an understanding.” Talking about Terese with Jessica felt wrong somehow. But if they were to move forward, he needed to clear the air.

  Jessica raised an eyebrow at his choice of words. “Understanding? What type of understanding?” Then a knowing look covered her features. “Oh. Is that what they call it here?”

  “Call it?”

  “You know, ‘friends with benefits.’” Jessica used her fingers to reinforce the quotations around the words.

  Stephan smiled, catching the implication, but the glint in his eyes showed he wasn’t quite light-hearted about it. “Yes. Terese and I agreed to see each other on those terms.”

  A shadow of a frown briefly marred her brow and then disappeared as she schooled her features. “Why am I here?”

  Stephan leaned over the table and took her hand in his, holding tight when she tried to pull back. Her breath hitched at his touch. He caressed her soft skin on the back of her hand with his thumb, and held her gaze. “I think you know why, Jessica. We’ve been trapped in this journey since the moment I left your house last year. It was only a matter of time before we encountered each other again. Isn’t that why you’re here in Dublin? Here with me now?”

  Her eyes darkened. “I made no secret about my feeling for you, Stephan.”

  “I know. You said so.”

  “Enlighten me. Honestly, I’m not sure what you want from me. What are you trying to say?”

  “Fuck, Jessica!” Stephan raked his fingers through his hair. “You know damn well I want you, too.”

  Jessica’s eyes latched on to his and searched them. “Are you saying what I think you are?”

  “Before we go any further, I want to establish a few guidelines.” To him they were more like rules of engagement.

  “Guidelines? Such as?”

  “We need to agree that when it ends, we will part ways as amicably—as Terese and I did.”

  “You ended things with Terese?” Jessica’s eyes widened.

  “I don’t date multiple women simultaneously, Jessica.”

  A smile spread on her face. “I guess that’s a good thing. I don’t share well, either.” Her smile dimmed slightly when understanding set in. “Ah. You want us to be ‘friends with benefits.’”

  Adrenaline shot through Jessica’s veins and her pulse raced out of control. When she stepped into the Brazen Head, she had expected the worst after his curt phone call. Her heart had ached for days after her encounter with Terese and his dismissal. Her pulse continued to race as she considered his words carefully. He was just trading partners. To him it was just sex. He wasn’t offering more. Definitely not what she wanted from him.

  “Do you have any questions or anything to add?”

  Jessica managed to reply through stiff lips, “Why would you have a termination clause for something that hasn’t even begun?”

  “We both know that’s not true, Jessica.” He held her gaze and a flash of electricity speared her, proving his point. “I’ve been battling my reaction to you since the first time I set eyes on you.”

  “If that’s the case, why did you run? Why did you leave that night? Why the distance these last few days? I’ve all but thrown myself at you!”

  “Let’s be honest here. There’s a huge age gap between us. Terese thought I was your uncle for chrissakes.”

  “That’s bullshit. Terese saw your interest in me and mine in you. Women have a sixth sense—a radar in our brain that clues us in on these things. She considers you to be hers. You may think you were only friends, but she definitely wanted more. She wanted to embarrass me in front of you. Obviously, by your reaction, it worked. It was a well-executed maneuver, I might add.”

  “If that was the case, then she was truly misguided. I never led her to believe there was anything more between us. That’s beside the point. How old are you? Twenty-six? Seven? I am old enough to be your father.”

  “You’re wrong. You’re just right for m
e.” Jessica’s mind spun out of control and she needed a moment to gather her thoughts. Being so close to him wasn’t helping matters. She looked around and asked, “Where’s the ladies’ room?”

  Stephan paused as if trying to decide whether or not to let her go. He then took a deep breath and pointed. “That hall to the left.”

  She placed her napkin on the table, avoiding his gaze. She wasn’t sure her eyes wouldn’t give her inner emotions away. Stephan rose and helped her out of her chair. “I’ll be right back.”

  Jessica felt the weight of Stephan’s stare on her back as she walked away. It was a heated and longing caress that made her skin tingle. In the empty restroom, she leaned her hands on the sink and stared in the mirror. Her heart banged so hard against her chest that she thought she’d need a defibrillator soon.

  Jessica absorbed the implications of Stephan’s words. Here was what she wanted—him. But she wanted so much more. As far as she was concerned, he was her endgame. And now her goal was partially within her reach. Should she accept his offer? Would it be enough for her?

  I can’t breathe! Jessica ducked her head and splashed cool water on her cheeks. She patted her face dry and looked in the mirror, seeing her decision reflected in it. Tossing the towel, she took a deep breath and headed out to join him again.

  Stephan rose to his feet and pulled her chair out for her once more. Seated, she composed her features and looked him in the eye.

  “I agree to your terms. For as long as you’ll have me,” Jessica added.

  Stephan closed his eyes and smiled softly, savoring the sound of her words. If only they were true. He knew from experience that eventually she would grow restless, want much more than he could give her, and then she, herself, would walk away from him. But he had made peace with that. The last few days had forced him to rethink his old convictions. He would no longer deny himself what little he could have.

  He wanted her. He had lusted over her for months and, since her arrival, it had become painfully obvious to him that she had snared him good and proper. For the sake of his sanity, he had to set a limit in his mind. Maybe exposing himself to massive doses of her would help him build some resistance, sate the thirst that threatened to consume him.

  But lusting and loving were two different things. “I need to be sure you understand that when I say it’s over, it’s over.”

  A glimmer of hurt filled her eyes but she covered it up with a smile. It took all of his strength not to call it off there and then.

  “I understand.” She paused briefly and added, “And accept your terms. But you have to remember it is a two way street and accept it if I decide to end our agreement.”

  Stephan squeezed his eyes shut as relief and pain stabbed him simultaneously. Pain at knowing that at some point she would want to end it. He opened them and his gaze collided with hers. There he found the same desire, the same need that had been pooling inside him since the day he first laid eyes on her.

  He stood abruptly and offered her his hand. “Let’s get out of here.”

  Jessica stood with him and placed her hand in his, reveling in the feel of his skin against hers as they walked out of the pub. She followed him, blind to her surroundings, her pulse loud in her ears, her heart jumping for joy in her chest.

  She almost had to run to keep up with his long strides, but the smile never left her face. She was heaving by the time they reached his car from the surge of anticipation that flooded her with every step. Her stomach was in knots as he opened the door of the elegant sedan and helped her in before taking his place behind the wheel.

  Stephan appeared as calm and confident as ever. The only thing betraying his emotions was the slight tremble of his hands and the sight of his clenched jaw as he turned the engine. Jessica kept her eyes glued on his profile, allowing her gaze to trace the straight line of his nose, his chiseled chin, and strong arms hidden under his well-cut suit. She had touched the skin under the rich fabric before and her fingers itched to do so again.

  The drive was short and charged with an expectant energy that flowed between them. She grinned when Stephan pulled up in front of an elegant Victorian house similar to Trevor and Cassandra’s. She should have known he would live in a house and not a glass-and-steel box.

  Stephan rounded the car to help her out, and the gesture brought back the images from the other time he had done the same, back in California. The gentle touch of his hand on her lower back was laden with promise. Her breathing accelerated at the recall of his palms cupping her breasts and the reverent look on his face. Jessica wanted him to look at her like that again. She wanted his hands and mouth all over her body. She couldn’t wait to do the same with his.

  Stephan turned the soft lighting on before he closed the door behind them. Jessica absorbed her surroundings. That house was so like him—conservative but comfortable. Sturdy wood furniture and warm colors painted an interesting picture, one she hoped to explore more closely as they spent time together. She hoped to uncover clues as to what made him put restrictions on their relationship.

  It was the tone of his voice that gave her hope. The hesitant tone in which he had delivered his restrictions left her doubting whether he really meant them. It was almost as if he was trying to set the limits in his own mind, set the limits for himself. Drawing a line in the sand regarding how far he would take it before he pulled away.

  Despite respecting his wishes and understanding that a relationship could only be carried forward if both parties put in the same emotional investment, his limits only served to intrigue and entice her more. A challenge. Jessica would show him how wrong he was, drive him to the brink, make him break his own rules, and compel him to dismiss the boundaries he, himself, had established.

  Her stomach churned as he closed the distance between them. She felt the heat of his body as he stood behind her. His breathing deepened and each expelled breath feathered hot across her shoulder, bringing shivers to her skin. She swayed back against him and he groaned at the first contact. Leaning down, he traced the column of her neck with his lips and nipped her earlobe.

  A shrill of desire coursed through her. “Stephan….” She turned to look up into his face, and the heat she found in his eyes fanned the flames burning in hers.

  “I want to savor this, Jessica. Slow this time. No rush.”

  His words wrapped around her chest and squeezed tight. Each poignant syllable pulled at her insides and sent a twinge through her entire body. She held his gaze and nodded. “Me too.”

  His hand slid down her arm and clasped hers. He guided her up the stairs, turning the lights on as they walked into a large bedroom suite. The warm, masculine, solid furniture was also present there. A massive king-size bed dominated the sparsely decorated room. He drew her to the edge of the bed and, cupping her face, pressed his lips to hers.

  Heaven. His mouth on hers felt like heaven. The initially chaste kiss gradually intensified into a heated dance of swooping tongues and nipping teeth, ragged breathing the only sound heard in the room as they tried to control the wild fire burning between them.

  For the second time, her fingers struggled with his buttons, but this time there was no frenzy. She savored the moment as he had said, taking it slow. Once she opened his shirt and cuffs, she smoothed her hands under his shirt over the skin of his stomach and chest, pushing the fabric off his shoulders until it slipped past his arms to the floor. Her eyes travelled over his bare chest, following the trail of soft hair down his abdomen to the waist of his slacks. Heat flooded her cheeks at the sight of the bulge straining against his pants.

  Stephan tipped her chin up and locked eyes with her for an interminable moment. She leaned forward and, maintaining eye contact, pressed her lips to his chest seductively.

  “Don’t do this,” Stephan whispered harshly.

  “Don’t do what?”

  “Eat me alive with your eyes.”

  She chuckled softly. “Is that what I’m doing? Eating you with my eyes?”

&nb
sp; “That’s what it feels like. I can almost feel you touching me.”

  “Welcome to the club. I have always felt the touch of your eyes on me.”

  “I want you to feel much more than my eyes on you,” he rasped as he began unbuttoning her blouse. Soon, it joined his shirt on the floor. His eyes trailed the outline of her lacy bra with fiery intensity before he commanded in a hoarse tone, “Take it off.”

  Without hesitation, she unclasped the front of her bra. When the silky lace parted, baring her breasts, he reached out with unsteady hands and slid the bra straps from her shoulders and down her arms. Stephan indulged in the lovely sight before him. Her skin creamy, her nipples erect and puckered from the sensual tension coursing between them. That alone almost brought him to his knees, and sent a surge of blood straight to his aching cock.

  His gaze caressed her exposed skin, tracing the curve of her breasts and the valley between them. “Beautiful. Just as I remember. Just as I’ve dreamed of.” He reached and pulled her closer. “This time I want more.”

  They bared themselves to each other, each removed layer was one step closer to the complete intimacy they sought, and once all clothing had been discarded, he drew her into his arms. He held her snug against him and groaned at the contact of skin against skin, her beautiful breasts against his chest, pebbled nipples scraping his skin, driving him mad.

  Jessica absorbed all that was Stephan. Her eyes soaked in the defined abs, the taut skin. The dusting of hair she had followed to his waistband before now travelled south and surrounded his erect cock. The knowledge she was the reason for his quite impressive arousal set off an intense warmth low in her stomach.

  His hands slid to her ass, cupping it and lifting her higher. “Wrap your legs around my waist.” She complied and a moan burst from her lips when he leaned down and took a turgid nipple between his teeth, gently rolling it with his tongue before sucking it deep into his mouth.