“No.” He shook his head, taking another step closer to her. “You can tell that story to the rest of the crew, but not to me. You asked me to kiss you the other night. What part of your job involved fucking me, exactly?”
She closed the distance between them, her eyes narrowing. “I thought I might be on a sinking ship, and if those were my last moments on earth, I wanted to enjoy them.” She poked his chest with her index finger. “And spare me your judgment. You haven’t said a word about that night in three days. We both know I was a conquest to you and nothing else.”
He searched her eyes. “Is that what you think?” She didn’t reply. His mouth went dry at being this close to her and not claiming her lips. His voice was a raw whisper. “I thought I could get you out of my system.” A sad chuckle escaped his lips. “But it only made me need you more.”
Her brow arched. “Why didn’t you say something?”
“Would it have mattered?”
“I don’t know.” She stared right into his soul. “But I am sorry. I never meant to hurt you.”
Her phone buzzed, and she took a step back to answer.
He waited while she asked Department 13 to research the Tyrfing’s curse and any mention of a chosen one.
He wasn’t sure of the reason why she was hesitant to tell them why the detail was so important to her, and he enjoyed being the only one she trusted with her secret.
It made him closer to her than her work.
And although he’d never considered himself a jealous man, he’d never met a woman like Aura Henderson. To be jealous of her commitment to her work was ridiculous, but that didn’t make it stop gnawing at him. Did they know how lucky they were to have her? She was determined, brave, and devoted to protecting people who had no idea she existed. He admired her. Yes, he’d lay down his life for his crew, but he loved them. She didn’t even know these people.
Every day he spent with her, he respected her dedication more, even if he couldn’t fully understand it.
And he wanted to get this sword for her.
When Agent Bale had approached the crew for this mission, Greyson had volunteered for the undercover meeting just for the chance to hold the legendary blade he’d never known truly existed, but now…he didn’t care if he got to touch it.
She ended the call and met his eyes. “I guess I better get ready. I’ve got clothes for you for the undercover op in my cabin.”
His emotions were churning in his gut. At least finding the Tyrfing would give him something else to focus on. Because right now, all his brain was replaying was her admitting that when she’d thought her life might be coming to a watery end, she’d wanted to spend her last few minutes in his arms.
Dangerous desire bubbled in his heart, and there wasn’t a fucking thing he could do about it. He reached for her hand and laced his fingers with his. “You were never a conquest.” He swallowed the lump in his throat. “You’re a treasure.”
Her gaze wandered over his face, and he wished he could hear her thoughts. Finally, she whispered, “I haven’t been able to stop thinking about being with you, either.”
Her admission had his heart racing. He cupped her cheek. There were a million things he wanted to say, but before he could speak, her lips curved into a tentative smile. “Too bad we’ve got to go ashore soon.”
He nodded and squeezed her hand. “I better get a shower and change before our meeting.”
She looked down at herself and back up at him. “We could conserve water…”
Aw, fuck. This woman turned him on in the best kind of way. He took her hand and walked her to his cabin, only because he was too exhausted to run.
Yes, they still had to plan for the meeting, but first he needed to explore every inch of her body.
They were alive.
And he intended to keep it that way.
Chapter Thirteen
The second they were alone in his cabin, Aura spun around and fused her lips to his, pressing him back against the wall.
He didn’t resist. Instead, his lips curved into a smile as she slipped her hands under his shirt, anxious to feel his skin. She’d never been so hungry, so desperate, for anyone. Maybe it was the near-death experience, or maybe that she knew he’d protect her secrets.
She didn’t take time to analyze it. Right now, she just wanted to feast on pleasure and drink in being alive.
He broke the kiss and tugged his shirt over his head, and hers followed. His fingers splayed wide as he crushed her to his chest, his tongue tangling with hers.
Yes.
This was exactly what she needed.
She worked on opening the button of his jeans while he unhooked her bra. No more barriers between them. He bent his knees and gripped her legs just under her ass, lifting her up. Her breasts pressed against his hot skin as he carried her to the bed and lay over her.
“Too many clothes,” he growled as he stood up, sliding her bra down her arms.
He tossed it over his shoulder and unfastened her jeans. She lifted her hips, helping him tug them off. He dropped them in a heap on the floor before removing his, too, never taking his eyes off her naked flesh.
She reveled in the desire in his eyes.
Being completely naked together was new. His tan line above his ass accentuated how often he must go shirtless. And his rock-hard erection made her ache to touch him. He was all masculine, strong and dangerous, and at the same time, hers.
She blinked at the thought. Their lives would never combine.
But their bodies would.
She whispered, “I need you.”
His eyes sparked as the corner of his mouth quirked up. “I’m not rushing this time.” He came closer and picked up her foot. He stared into her eyes with a possessive glint as he pressed a kiss to her ankle, then dragged his hot lips slowly up her calf to her knee, opening her legs as he made his way up her body.
His whisper teased her skin, sending a delicious ache through her core. “Yer beautiful, Agent Henderson.”
She grinned, shocked at the breathy laugh that escaped her throat. “I think you can call me Aura now.”
“I think I’ll call you dinner.” The stubble on his cheeks scratched at the sensitive skin of her inner thigh. “Seeing you laid out naked on my bed has me famished.”
He was the sexiest man she’d ever seen, and her hips rocked, already aching for release. Watching her face, he ran his finger slowly around her opening.
Aura moaned, “Don’t tease me.”
He grinned, grabbing her ass with both hands as he lifted her to his lips. “No more teasing, love,” he growled as he dipped his head and tasted her.