Page 25 of Dangerous Mission

I already know they look soft, but hard. A contradiction.

So fitting for him.

When I cave to the urge and study the lines of his mouth, a tingle builds in my own lips.

What would a man like Scout kiss like?

Slowly with precision or would he attack, knocking the senses right out of your brain?

He’d kiss like an animal, I decide.

All snarls and nips, and commanding thrusts of a tongue that takes what it wants.

I close my eyes and a little groan slips out of me. Heat pulses in places that have been cold for hours. A welcome tingle sets up shop in my lower belly.

How can I think about kissing a man? I swore I was going to be celibate forever.

Squeezing my eyes closed, I expect to be assaulted by terrifying memories. But that’s not the vision that appears.

It’s Scout looking at me through those icy, mesmerizing eyes. So cold they burn right down to the center of me.

I scoot away from him, needing the space.

When I stand up, my wet clothing binds against my skin. Cold and unforgiving. I need to get out of these.

Scout has clothing in his truck.

With one more glance to make sure he’s okay, I see something different. An exhausted man that’s so wiped out he doesn’t even know the world exists right now.

He needs me now.

I needed him earlier.

It’s my turn to take care of him.

It takes less than five minutes to rummage through his truck and find what I need. I’m wrapping up my raid when I hear a phone ringing.

The number on the screen is instantly recognizable and sends a wave of relief through me.

“Griff! Are you okay?”

He lashes out. “Aria, what are you doing on Scout’s phone?”

“It’s a long story. Are you at the hospital?”

He’s silent long enough for me to know he’s winding up to unleash. “Aria?—”

“Griff, please tell me what’s going on.”

With a grumble, he relents. “I’m in a city called Carollia. It’s the closest place with a specialist. I’ve gotten something for pain, I’ll be seeing the ENT in a few hours. Now where the hell are you?”

“I’m…” Sighing, I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I’m at the airport. I’m fine. Look, I need to go.”

“What the hell are you doing answering Scout’s phone?”

“He’s busy.”

Sleeping.