Page 93 of Red Captive

His face softens for a moment. “I do. I can’t believe I thought you were like her. You’re nothing like her. You don’t give a shit about money and titles. I watched you while we were in those candidates’ houses. Your eyes glazed over when they talked about their fancy cars and paintings. About their titles and castles. You had to work to look interested. You’re selfless. I’ve told you that before. You gave up on all of your dreams for your family. Who does that? As final proof, you love a movie called ‘50 First Dates’ so much you watched it twice.” He widens his eyes. “Serious proof of how sweet you are.”

I gasp. “There’s nothing wrong with that movie. And for the record, that was my third time watching it.”

“You’re kidding.” He smiles, which warms me.

I shake my head, smiling, too.

“Three times is insane. I will admit that the movie wasn’t all that bad.” His smile grows.

“See! I knew it. You liked it, you ass. Why did you lie?”

“I said it wasn’t all that bad, not that I liked it.” He narrows his eyes. “What I’m trying to get at is that you’re a fucking awesome person. I don’t deserve to breathe the same air as you.”

I roll my eyes. “Bullshit! You need to stop with the self-flagellation already. You fell in love. You saw the best in Lake. You trusted her. These are all good qualities. The same qualities you say you like in me. Why can’t you like them in yourself? Your trust was betrayed. That’s not on you, it’s on her. What happened is not on you. It’s on the people who planned the assassination.”

“I gave away classified information. That’s on me.” He points at his chest. “It should never have happened. I was careless with people’s lives, and there were consequences.”

I grip his shoulders. “You were played because you are sweet and kind.” I cup his face in both my hands. “You’re amazing, Steel. I want to find this woman myself. I want to beat her for doing this to you. For betraying your trust and your love. Those things are sacred; they’re to be cherished, not used and tossed away. Whoever gets you one day when you’re ready to trust again is going to be very lucky. I wish I could make you see yourself through my eyes.”

Because all I see is beauty, and it goes far beyond what’s on the outside.

30

Steel

The way she is looking at me makes my heart beat faster. I do trust again; I trust her.

I half expected her to hear my story and to run a mile. If I’m honest, it’s part of the reason I haven’t told her yet, even though it’s been on the tip of my tongue several times.

Turns out Jen doesn’t hate me. She’s trying to make me feel better, and it’s working. I haven’t forgiven myself. I don’t think I ever will, but right now, I feel just that little bit lighter.

I like the way she’s looking at me. It’s with kindness, compassion. I see longing, too, and something else that has my chest tightening.

I cup her jaw and kiss her. It wasn’t planned but I can’t help myself. Her hair is still damp. She gasps against my mouth and then sinks into me; her hands reach up to grip the back of my neck. Jen moans.

I stand, taking her with me. Then I hook an arm around her waist, lifting her against me. She hooks her legs around me, rubbing up against me.

I’m in fucking heaven right now.

Her scent wraps around me, mingled with soap and shampoo.

She breaks our kiss and yanks her T-shirt over her head. Her chest hits mine. Her breasts are soft. Her nipples are hard. I can feel her heart beating a million miles a minute against my chest, and it makes me feel alive. Her hands are gripping my back, her fingers digging into my skin.

“I want you,” she says against my mouth.

I love how she doesn’t hold back. How she tells me what she needs. I walk her over to the counter in the kitchenette, putting her down on the edge. I cup her breasts in my hands and gently roll her nipples. She gasps and writhes and kisses me like she can’t get enough, which is great because I feel the same way.

When I break the kiss to reach into the cupboard to the right of her, she kisses my neck, nipping on my earlobe. I groan low as she kisses me, nipping at my skin. The scrape of her teeth has my balls pulling tight.

I fumble inside, finding the box, which I put on the counter. Then I lean in and suckle on her nipple, rolling my tongue around it.

She makes the most amazing noises. Then she’s undoing my jeans and freeing my cock. She pulls down her sweats, lifting her hips. I pull away so that she can kick them off. I do the same with my jeans. Finally, we’re naked.

I pick her up, sure to grab the box. Taking quick, long strides, I walk to the bedroom. I’m desperate to be inside this female. I toss her gently onto the bed and then stand there, looking at her.

“You’re beautiful.”

Her eyes are hooded. Her mouth is lush. Her hair is spread out in a fan around her. Her chest heaves. Her legs are already open for me; her pussy is wet, and I haven’t even touched her yet. Not really.