She grinned back at him, orgasm-drunk no more. She was back, and clearly ready for more. He gave it to her, gripping her hips to pull her to him and thrusting inside. The wet friction and electric heat sizzled along him, over and over and over. His head fell back as his face contorted. He held on as long as he could, tendons straining, back tense. Her soft voice chanted his name in rhythm to his thrusts, and she let him have the charge she’d been building inside. He reared back, a shout exploding from him as he released.
He came back to himself slowly. The blood pounded in his temples still, and his breath sawed in his ears. He moved his head and discovered it was cradled on her chest, a small breast and small hand to either side. A smile flitted over his face, and he lifted his head to carefully rest his chin instead of his forehead on her chest.
She stared up at the ceiling, her smug smile answering his own. He laughed, and lifted himself up onto one arm.
“I think,” she said between soft pants as her breath equalized, “that was even better,” and she swallowed, “than the first time.”
“I think,” he said and closed one eye as he focused to think, “we may well get better every time.”
She gasped a laugh. “You mean you’re not running away this time?”
Alex shook his head. “Nobody’s allowed to run away. Deal?”
“Deal.” She shrugged. “It makes the most sense, after all.”
He struggled to stand, pushing himself up with both arms now. “What does?”
“Not running away. I mean, this revolution stuff is pretty intense. I have to imagine that’s a lot of fifteen-minute increments of stress relief between the two of us.”
Alex laughed, the sound rumbling up from deep in his chest. “I think you’re right.” He took a step back, glanced down, and then groaned as he reached down to pull his pants from around his ankles.
Lena sat up, watching him. A look that fell somewhere between curiosity and confusion played over face. “I thought you said no running away.”
“I’m not.” He leaned in to plant a kiss on her mouth to wipe away any concerns she had. “I’m not. But I stole away to come see you, and as much as I’d like to stay and spend the afternoon with you, I can’t. We leave in three days.”
She nodded. “Wow. So slam, bam—”
“Lena.”
She arched a brow at him.
“We’ll have more time soon. When Three’s gone. There’s always a lull between missions.” He leaned back in for a slower kiss. “But right now it’s stolen moments. I’d like us to handle this.” He searched her face. “Are you sorry I came?”
She met his eyes. A wicked light gleamed in hers. “I’d have been pissed if you didn’t.”
“That’s not what I meant.” He nipped at her lip.
“I know. But it’s all the answer you need.”
He answered her smile with his own, and dressed himself while she watched. Her head tilted to the side, and the dress still bunched around her waist. It was a great look on her.
When he’d finished, she finally reached down and found the straps to the dress, hopping off the table and pulling them up over her arms again. As she pulled the fabric up, she did that little shimmy that had made him lose his mind earlier, a mischievous smile on her face.
Alex barked a laugh at the provocation and pulled her into a kiss. When he let her go, he lightly smacked her ass and backed away. If he didn’t leave right then, he wouldn’t leave at all.
“Be sure and pass my regards to Jackson on his taste in women’s clothing,” he told her. “Unparalleled access.”
She laughed loud and long, head thrown back. He couldn’t help but grin. Happy sounded good on her.
“You tell him,” she called out as he walked down the hall.
“I will,” he shouted back. Little fucker. Bringing gifts to my woman.
Alex’s hand paused above the lock plate. He leaned his forehead on the door. My woman, huh?
Yep. It had been a terrible idea coming here. And when he stopped smiling he might be able to make himself believe it.
Chapter 28
Lena turned the small folder with her papers in it around and around in her hands. Alex had warned her against being late the morning before, but she’d still moved slowly this morning. She hadn’t wanted to be among the first in line to gain final clearance to enter the caravan area.
Being first wouldn’t be a problem. She’d arrived at mid-morning to find the line snaked up the alley beside the Council building and then curled around down the walkway bordering the street in front of the building. The sun had long since heated the top of her head and the shorter hair at the nape of her neck dripped beads of sweat. They ran down the curve of her spine, not chilling but itching her skin. She should have heeded Alex’s warning.
Lena distracted herself with the memory of his last visit the morning before. He’d slipped into the safe house in the dark of the early morning hours, so they’d have more time for that last visit before heading out. They’d made good use of the time.
A sharp finger jabbed into her shoulder. She jumped, nearly dropping her papers.