“Harder,” he gasped, his fingers drifting into her hair. “Suck harder.”
Tightening her lips around him, she hollowed her cheeks, gripping his hips to hold him steady. His stamina was amazing, his desire for her heartrending. And Sable didn’t take his weakness for her for granted. It was a gift and she cherished it as one. She’d find a way to prove that to him.
Derek tensed, his breath seized in his lungs and then he cried out her name as his cock jerked against her tongue, spurting his come down her throat. Relishing his pleasure, she drank from him. Even when she felt his balls empty and his knees shake, she didn’t cease the suction of her mouth.
“Enough,” he groaned. “You’ll kill me.”
He sank to the floor in front of her, dragging her across him as he collapsed onto his back.
She folded her arms over his heaving chest and rested her chin upon them. She studied his features, darkened with passion and misted with sweat. With his eyes closed, he appeared younger, more vulnerable. Sable sighed.
“You’re not just a fuck toy to me, Derek. It’s never been about that.”
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“Liar,” he retorted hoarsely.
“Well, maybe it’s partly about that,” she corrected with a grin. “Getting physical with you is…well, it’s beyond words. But that’s not all you’re worth to me. Don’t ever think that.”
His breathing began to slow. “What the hell am I supposed to think, Sable? You’re embarrassed to be seen with me, you…”
“That’s not true! I’m flattered you want me. I’m amazed you stowed away on my ship just to be with me. I’m proud of you and a bit startled that I could catch your interest, let alone keep it.”
Derek opened his eyes. “Is that what this is about? You think you can’t keep my interest?”
“Isn’t it a possibility?” she challenged.
He held her gaze for a long time before admitting. “I don’t know what to think anymore. I know you can hurt me. I’m not sure how I feel about that.”
She offered a sad smile. “At least you’re honest.”
“Because that’s what I want from you in return, Sable—your honesty.”
“And I’ll give it to you.”
Sable pushed off him and rose to her feet, despite his protests. Walking over to the dresser, she opened a drawer and retrieved her identi-card. When she turned back to him, he was sitting up, watching her with blatant curiosity and more than a touch of wariness. She held out her hand and he rose to take it, stopping only a moment to straighten his clothing.
He looked at the card and hesitated.
“Take it,” she prodded. “All the answers to your questions are right here.”
He accepted her offering while tossing her a sidelong glance. With obviously reluctant steps, he walked to the comm link in the corner and slid the card inside.
“Good evening, Special Agent Taylor,” greeted the feminine voice of the comm link.
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“You have no new messages in the IAB database. ”
Sable watched as Derek stilled, staring down at the comm link like he’d never seen one before. Then he turned to face her. His silver gaze was intent, searching. She tensed and waited for his condemnation.
“Is that what you’ve been hiding from me? That you’re an IAB agent?”
She swallowed hard and nodded.
“Anything else you want to tell me?” he bit out. “Now would be the time.”
“Well, my mission is—”
“No,” he interrupted, lifting his hand. “You can tell me about your mission later. Is there any other reason why you don’t want to be seen with me?”
She shook her head. “What else would there be?” She shifted nervously and confessed, “I’m crazy about you, Derek. Absolutely crazy.”
“Oh, Sable.” His voice turned deep and husky. “Thank God.” He dissipated into mist and reappeared instantly before her, crushing her into his chest with huge hug.
She stood motionless in shock.
His large hands drifted into her hair and he pressed sweet, relieved kisses all over her face. “You have no idea what I thought… I was so worried…” He gave a crazed little laugh and picked her up, spinning her around.
“Derek?” she queried, a little worried. “You’re not angry that I’m IAB? Disgusted?”
His eyes widened. “Of course not. It all makes sense now. You can’t be seen with me, because it’ll blow your cover.”
Sable knew her smile must be radiant, because his face softened with such tenderness. “Most agents hate IAB. They don’t trust us. Are you sure you really don’t care?”
“Hell no, I don’t care!” He laughed again. “Baby, I thought you were some kind of criminal. I was tearing myself up wondering what I’d gotten myself into.” He kissed the tip of her nose. “I already knew, no matter what you were involved in, that I couldn’t 55
Sylvia Day
let you go.”
Deeply touched, Sable felt her eyes tear up. Derek lived for his work and yet he’d considered setting aside his scruples just to be with her. It was a sacrifice that spoke volumes.
“Don’t cry,” he said hastily. “It’s okay, I can help you. We’ll solve your case, get you out of my field office and then we can get on with our lives. Together.”
“You’re so optimistic,” she noted with a shake of her head. “And I’d always heard you were so cynical.”
He shrugged. “We have a lot to look forward to. I can’t wait until I have you all to myself for days at a time. I want the opportunity to get to know you better.” His voice dripped with promise. “In every way possible.”
With a gentle shove, she created distance between them and began to pace restlessly. “You may have to wait a long time, Derek.” She didn’t look at him. She couldn’t. “And I can’t ask you to do that. It wouldn’t be fair.”
“Wait for how long?” he asked, a frown evident in his tone.
“I’ve already been on this case for two years and I’m not much closer to solving it than when I started.” Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. “There’s a leak in your field office, Derek. One of the agents is selling sensitive information to the Federation.
I’m only halfway through my investigation. I still have half the agents to investigate.”
He grabbed her as she paced by him, pulling her to a halt in front of him. “Two years? That’s about the time I first met you.”
She nodded. “You were the first agent I investigated.”
“And what did your investigation reveal?”
Sable lifted her chin to meet his amazing eyes. “That I’d met a man who made me hot. A man who made me wish for things I can’t have. Things it’s not possible for him to give.”
“Until I met you.” His gaze turned molten. “Am I cleared in your eyes?”
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“Of course.”
“Are you sure?” He searched her face. “You don’t have any doubts?”
She met his questioning gaze head on. “I wouldn’t have slept with you if I did. I wouldn’t have even wanted to.”
Tension visibly drained from his shoulders.
She stepped out of his embrace. “Now I have to get ready for the RetroBall. Agent Leroy will be attending tonight and he’s next on my list.”
“Jeff? I’ve known him for years. He’s a good guy and he’s having a rough time right now.”
“I know. He’s an agent in dire financial straits. His wife is dying and her medical bills are eating him alive.”
“He’s not the mole,” he said with conviction.
Sable put her hands on her hips and arched a brow. “Listen, Derek. Don’t try to tell me how to do my job. This thing between you and me won’t work if you start interfering. I know what the fuck I’m doing. I happen to be a damn good agent.”
Derek ran a hand through his hair and offered a sheepish smile. “I know you
are.”
“Leroy sent an update of his mission to headquarters this morning. He reaffirmed his pursuit of Kennedy Smith.”
“Smuggler, pirate extraordinaire,” he filled in. “So what? Sounds like he’s on the job.”
“Yeah well, Kennedy Smith has been in custody for the last two days. And this isn’t the first time Leroy’s lied about his missions. He’s been coming to Rashier 6 at least once every six months.”
Derek’s eyes widened as he took in the implications of that. “Shit. So he’s here for something else. I’ll go with you to the ball,” he offered.
She walked over to the bed and began to undress. “It would be better if you don’t.
Leroy will get suspicious if he sees you around.”
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He came up behind her and cupped her bare breasts in his hands. With a sigh of contentment, she leaned into his chest. It seemed like she’d waited forever for him to hold her like this, with lust heavily tempered by tenderness. His fingers found her nipples and squeezed, before rolling them gently. Her eyes closed on a soft moan.