Seal of Surrender by Traci Douglass

dumbfounded nod in his direction. Chago smiled and closed his eyes, relaxing back into his seat with her hand still clutched in his.
    After the heat of the exchange wore off, Irena regarded him. His strong jaw showed a bare hint of dark stubble beneath, the hue a perfect match to the black inkiness of his hair and brows. Thick lashes most women would kill for fanned out atop the jut of his high cheekbones and the straight blade of his nose angled proud above a sensuous mouth. Those lips pulled into a knowing smile and her gaze flicked up to catch his icy-hot stare. Busted.
    â€œLike what you see, diablita?”
    â€œYou never did tell me about your line of work.”
    The plane accelerated and gravity jammed her into the seat. As the aircraft lifted off the ground, she squeezed her eyes shut while her stomach lurched to her toes. The pop in her ears drowned out the pounding of her heart and her death grip on the armrest persisted through the plane’s initial assent.
    As they reached cruising altitude, sudden warmth covered her clammy flesh and gentle fingers reached beneath her wrist to stroke her agitated pulse.
    Chago leaned into her, his breath tickling her cheek as he murmured close to her ear. “Relax, querida. My business is protection.”

Chapter 6
    Chago woke to a pleasant weight on his chest and the smell of fresh flowers. He opened one eye and peered down at the top of the Irena’s head snuggled beneath his chin.
    At some point during the long flight, she’d cuddled up beside him. He grinned. Surely she would lash out at him like a viper if she had any idea of the way her full breasts pressed against his chest or how her scent derailed his thoughts. Her warm exhalations flowed across his neck and sent a delightful tingle to the pit of his stomach. It had been too long since he’d enjoyed the pleasures of comfort, of connection.
    He rubbed his tired eyes and conducted a quick scan of the cabin. Most of the other passengers were asleep or reading. The plane struck a blip of turbulence and Irena mumbled into his chest before burrowing deeper. He pulled the lap blanket higher around them and snuggled down. His movements caused her to grasp the front of his shirt like a desperate child. He kissed on the top of her head and closed his eyes. Maybe this final mission wouldn’t be so awful.
    A sudden vibration in his pocket made him scowl. His phone shouldn’t work. Cell service was prohibited on flights. He managed to pull out the device without waking Irena and glanced down at the caller ID. Xander. Shit. Barron must have found a way around the restrictions.
    He untangled himself from his sleeping partner and covered her with the throw before stalking to the back of the plane and an empty lavatory. Once locked inside, he pushed the redial button, and leaned against the metal vanity, his voice as dark as his current mood. “Si?”
    â€œGood morning to you too, sunshine.”
    â€œDo you know what time it is here?”
    â€œSince when do you keep regular hours? Last I checked you were a night owl.”
    â€œMy apologies. I’m standing in an airplane john at the butt-crack of dawn. This miniscule place reeks to highest heaven so, pardon my French, but please hurry the fuck up. I would like to get the hell out of here before … soon.”
    Dammit. He’d almost mentioned his recent sleeping arrangements. Any relationship beyond professional with a target was strongly discouraged and now was not the time for such dalliances anyway. The plane bumped over more turbulence. Chago steadied his stance and concentrated on his commander’s update.
    â€œThe bugs you planted in the Omega offices haven’t provided much in the way of new information. It seems the Consortium has gone quiet. And Archon has officially vanished into oblivion, so we’re batting zero right now.”
    â€œIf Archon shows, I’ll deal with him. And as far as Drake’s