Brad frowns at my quick answer. "Why not?"
"The level of damage you could suffer compared the amount of skill building you might gain isn't worth it."
Smiling, Minka walks further into the room. "She doesn't want anything happening to your pretty face."
Brad looks down at me, and I shrug. His smile sends heat directly to the part of me that I normally ignore. I hate being aroused in front of Minka and Marx.
"I think a book about a woman assassin would be fascinating," Marx suddenly announces.
"Woman assassin?" Minka asks, laughing. "Is that even a real thing?"
Her laughter pisses off Marx, who walks out of the room. Minka waits until he's gone before winking at me.
"He's fun. I think he and I are due for a bonding session."
Grinning, I admit loving when Minka teases other people. Brad waits until we're alone before stepping closer.
"Would you be that calm in a real fight?" he murmurs.
"With you? Yes."
"What if I was one of those cult fucks?"
"I'd be as calm on the outside," I murmur, staring into his blue eyes. "I don't believe in allowing people to know they've rattled me."
"Your acting skills are impressive," he whispers, leaning down until our lips nearly meet.
When Nell calls out Brad's name, he steps back. "The universe is conspiring against me."
My gaze takes in the sight of his sweaty tanned arms before lingering over his handsome face and sparkling blue eyes.
"I don't believe the universe cares about us. That's why I make my own destiny."
I wrap my hand around the back of his neck and pull him down until our lips meet. My tongue licks at his mouth, wanting to go deeper. Nell calls for Brad again, but I don't relent. In-stead sucking on his tongue, taking what I want and tasting what I've craved since the first day.
As quickly as I kiss him, I step away before Nell appears at the doorway. I suspect I appear calm and collected though I'm on fire on the inside. Brad refuses to hide his desire, and Nell realizes she's walked in on something.
Without another word, she leaves. The flesh between my legs throbs painfully, and I know I need to escape this situation. Following Nell, I give Brad a quick grateful glance while disappearing out the door. His gaze says everything I need to know. I might have started this thing, but he doesn't plan to let it end anytime soon.
11
Brad
Now, Not Later
My skin is on fire. Saskia's beautiful lips found mine for less than a minute, but she's all I taste now. My cock throbs painfully in my jeans. Every inch of my body craves her. I can't pry my gaze away from Saskia during dinner.
I'm not surprised she ignores me. Was the kiss a sign of Saskia losing control or her way of taking the power from me? She's impossible to read with her stony expression and chilly eyes. The hot and welcoming kiss betrayed her cold exterior.
Mom and Nell talk about their worries over the trip to New York City. They fear the unknown. We've lived in this house in this suburb since the attack. We shop at the same stores and visit the same restaurants. This place gives us a false sense of security in an insecure world. Now we're heading to a big city filled with possible threats and Mom is second guessing everything.
"These interviews will help sell the book," Marx says.
"Why can't we do them with via satellite, so we don't need to leave the house?"
"I know you're nervous, but we have more than interviews planned. Besides, Saskia and Minka have all the security in order."
Mom and Nell look to Saskia, who gives a curt nod. Marx rubs her the wrong way. He's too curious about her secrets, so she hides even more whenever he shares a room with her.
"Minka will be there too," Nell says, likely pissing off Saskia.
"See?" Marx asks. "They'll handle the security while you'll enjoy a working vacation."
Sharing a worried glance, Mom and Nell fall silent. I'm happy for the lack of chatter. I don't want to think of unfamiliar cities or the way I will be grilled in interviews. My mind and body only want to relive the hotter than hell kiss from the ice princess sitting across from me at dinner.
After Marx leaves, Saskia does her perimeter check. I sit on the couch and watch Paranormal Witness. I need something creepy to distract me from my raging hard-on. I consider taking a cold shower, but the erection feels good. My entire body exudes power after too long of indifference. The only way I want to find pleasure is if it's inside Saskia.
"Don't talk to me," she says, walking through the family room with the dogs following her.
"You don't talk to me either," I mutter.
Saskia glances back and frowns, but I only give her a wink. She's being odd, and I'm fairly sure why. The answer makes my dick throb harder.
An hour later, the house is quiet when Saskia reappears. Mom and Nell are in their room for the night. Saskia stands next to the couch, pretending to watch TV. I pretend to watch it too.