Page 30 of Lethal Salvation
“Talk to me.”
Gideon glanced up to see the rest of the team had retreated onto his terrace to give them privacy. “I hate this. I just want to rip him to shreds and I don’t know if I can do this without letting that show.”
Nadia pulled him toward the couch and sat, pulling him down beside her and he went like an eager puppy, proving how much this woman was under his skin.
“Do you remember when we first met?”
He blinked and his mind went to the first time he’d laid eyes on her and the visceral reaction he’d had and how it had taken everything in him to not thread his hands through her hair and splay her on the top of his conference table like a feast.
“Yes.”
“Do you remember what you said to me?”
“I said you looked like a mouse who wouldn’t be able to hack it.”
Nadia chuckled and it made his heart squeeze like a vice. “Yes, you did. Do you remember what I said back?”
“That what I said was perfect because that was the look you were going for.”
“Yes, I did say that, and it was true. I also knew in that second that you hated me.”
He took her hand and lifted it to his lips, running the tips along his cheek. “I never hated you. I wanted you and I hated it.”
“But I didn’t know. You hid it so well I believed you and you need to channel whatever that was again so we can end this for you and Damon.”
“I’m sorry.” Gideon ran his thumb over her bottom lip, wanting to kiss her more than his next breath.
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not. I’ve been a raging asshole to you when all you were trying to do was help us. The truth is I like you, Nadia. I didn’t expect that or foresee it and I don’t do well with surprises or emotions out of my control or comfort zone.”
“I like you too, as proved by my dry-humping you earlier.”
Gideon let out a loud laugh as the moment lightened. “You never say what I think you’re going to.”
“More surprises. I must be your worst nightmare.”
“Hmm, more like my biggest fantasy right now.”
“Well, you need to table that for now and call your dad and meet with Carter.”
“Will you be with me during the meeting?”
“Do you want me there?”
Gideon nodded. “Yes, you calm me.” Her features softened and he had the overwhelming feeling that he could fall for this woman.
“Then I’ll be there.”
“Good, I’ll let the others back in and we can get started.”
Gideon turned and saw eyes on them and dropped his hand from her face.
“Great, Lotus is going to kick me in the balls.”
“It’s okay, I’ll protect you.”
He was about to respond when the flash of a red dot caught his eye and the next thing he knew, the world exploded around him.
