Charade by Kate Donovan Page A

Right?”
    “Probably.”
    “I already worry every time I send you into a dangerous situation. If you were my girlfriend, I’d really go nuts.”
    “Me, too.”
    “You, too?” He winced. “You mean you’d worry more?”
    “No. I’d be so distracted. Your voice already gets to me when you whisper instructions. Or try to boss me around.”
    “Yeah?” He gave a sheepish grin. “Right in the middle of the op?”
    Sasha licked her lips, then nodded. “I love it when that happens.”
    “Man…” He exhaled sharply, then leaned into her, covering her mouth with his own while urging her with gentle hands to lie back onto the bed.
    Sasha’s mind reeled with delight. “Jeff…”
    “One kiss, then cold turkey,” he promised, his voice descending into a sexy growl. “Man, you feel good.”
    One kiss.
    Apparently he planned to make the most of it, because his hand journeyed almost immediately under her blouse, caressing her breasts, then expertly unhooking her bra to gain more complete access. Sasha wanted to protest, but her own curiosity was strong, and her willpower was weak, so she followed his lead, allowing herself to explore his tightly muscled chest under his T-shirt as his rough fingers sent wave after wave of pleasure through her.
    This is our one chance, she reminded herself, giddy with arousal. So he’s right to make it count. Plus, you could get killed in Kestonia! Give him something to remember you by. We’ll be good after this. And meanwhile, yowza.
    Inspired by his commitment to her pleasure, not to mention the hedonistic urgency as he ground himself against her, she slid her hand under the elastic of his sweatpants, then ran her fingers along the length of him, enjoying the fullness.
    He gave a long, low groan, then told her ruefully, “We should stop.”
    “One time, then cold turkey,” she reminded him breathlessly. “Why not make it count?”
    “You’re sure?”
    “Mmm, more than sure.”
    She began stroking him again, and he flashed a sexy smile, then reached under her skirt and up along the inside of her thigh until his fingers reached their target.
    “Wait, Jeff. Let me just—” She struggled to sit up, stripped off her boots and skirt, then wriggled out of her blouse and bra. At the same time, Jeff tore off his own clothes, revealing the hunkiest physique Sasha had ever seen at such close range.
    They greedily appraised one another for a few seconds, then Jeff got down to business, pulling her panties off her so that she was wearing only her pink-and-blue argyle knee socks. Then he was on her again, nuzzling her neck while reaching over to open the top drawer of his nightstand.
    “Rubber,” he explained.
    Sasha almost laughed out loud to see her sophisticated handler reduced to one-word grunts. Then he was kissing her again, this time between her thighs, and her laughter turned to a decadent moan as he coaxed throbbing waves of heat and energy to that spot.
    She was so close—and frantic to continue—but he interrupted himself and transferred his mouth to her neck.
    “Jeff…”
    “Don’t worry, I’ve got it,” he promised. And it was true. His first thrust made her gasp with renewed anticipation, then he satisfied her with lovemaking so intense, it was as though they were both about to leave for Eastern Europe on a suicide mission.
     
    As they recovered in one another’s arms, Jeff gave her a sheepish smile. “That was some kiss. Thanks.”
    She bit back an embarrassed laugh. “There’s a handler joke in this somewhere, but I hope we never find it.”
    “Yeah, I’m scum,” he admitted with a chuckle. “But in my defense, I’ve thought about you a lot these last few months.”
    “ That’s your defense?” She laughed lightly, then hopped out of bed, grabbed her clothes and darted into the bathroom. “I’ll just be a sec!”
    Slamming the door behind herself, she looked into the mirror over the sink and arched a disapproving eyebrow. “Nice job, Bracciali.