Page 33 of Trapped Truth

“I’m thinking about it.” Seething, I slowly lower the knife. “You scared me.”

“Apologies. May I come in?”

“Were you going to ask if I was asleep?”

“I don’t usually, no. But seeing as you’re awake, I thought it in my best interest to be polite.”

He skulks into the room, plunging us into darkness by closing the door behind him.

“Usually?” I repeat breathily.

Footsteps inch through the darkness, sounding closer with each heartbeat.

“I find watching you rest peaceful. You never seem to mind.”

“While unconscious? No, I don’t suppose I do mind. Jesus!”

“What?” His chuckle sounds louder in the dark. “It’s not like I crawl between the sheets without permission.”

“Watching me sleep is just as creepy, for the record.”

“Noted. Do I have permission to crawl between your sheets now? Else I’ll be quite content watching from my usual spot. The chair is rather comfortable.”

I’m not sure if he’s joking or simply insane. I’d put good money on the latter.

“Get into bed, Phantom. Before I change my mind.”

He must have x-ray vision to safely cross the room, fabric rustling with each step. I think he’s stripping off. When the mattress dips with his weight climbing on, I shuffle over a little, rolling onto my side.

I’m engulfed by the scent of rich, spicy peppercorns and a citrusy kick of bergamot. The familiar scent seems to cling to his skin. A hand runs over my arm then moves to clasp my waist beneath my oversized tee, pulling us closer together.

“I’m surprised you’re alone in here,” he murmurs into the din.

“Everyone’s exhausted, and I needed some space.”

“Do you want me to leave?”

“No. I couldn’t sleep anyway.”

“What’s going on?”

“Too wound up after the debrief, I guess. And we have to do it all over again in a few hours, only this time, we get to hear how royally fucked we are.”

The hand on my waist squeezes then begins exploring, his fingertips tracing a delicate path over rising goose pimples.

“Who chased us on the road, Blaine?”

“I don’t know.” His nose runs along the back of my neck. “But I stand by what I said. Your teammates ought to learn not to underestimate my father, or this fight will be short-lived. He’ll kill us all.”

“There’s no way he found us.”

“Who else would chase our vehicle like that?”

“I… don’t know.”

Fingers circle and tease, following the curve of my hip around to the lower half of my exposed butt cheek. I try not to react to the sensation of him curiously mapping the edge of my panties, never daring to inch too close.

“You think there’s a leak in Sabre.” I try to sound unaffected.