Hunger (Seductors #2) (11 page)

“Now you’re being ridiculous.”

“I don’t think I am. So, are you cutting our dinner date short so you can get ready for Russia with your hot PA?”

“Is she hot? I hadn’t really noticed.”

“You can be such a jerk sometimes,” I glared, standing up quickly. I was becoming angry to elicit a reaction from him. I needed to know I was the one he wanted, not Alicia.

“Where are you going?”

“You can take me back to my hotel now. I wouldn’t want to make you late for your flight!”

“It’s not until tomorrow afternoon,” he said, following me outside. “Jade, slow down.”

“Do you know what I don’t get?” I snapped as I turned around to face him. “Why tell me you wanted to give us another try if you were going to Russia for two weeks?”

“I didn’t want to wait. I needed to know where we stood before I went.”

“I think it has more to do with you wanting to keep your distance from me,” I countered.

“You really think that?” he asked, taking a step toward me.

“I know I’m right. Oliver, you’ve barely touched me since I came back. You’ve never had this kind of control around me before.”

“Jade, I’m keeping my distance because the moment I let go, I’ll be lost in you again.” His eyes grew darker as he pushed me against the side of his car.

“Just let go,” I whispered. “What’s the worse that could happen?”

“You could break my heart again,” he whispered, running his hands into my hair. “A man like me can’t be left vulnerable. I have to think about my business, too.”

“I won’t do that again. You must see what you mean to me…how much I care.”

“I thought you didn’t want to be controlled by your feelings?” he muttered, stroking my face with the back of his hand.

“I lied. It’s my
feelings
that scare the crap out of me, because being away from you all that time only made them stronger. I can’t run from how I feel anymore. I
need
to be with you!” I swallowed hard, watching his lips move toward mine as he took in what I was saying.
Yes, Oliver, I love you!

As his lips pressed softly against mine, I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck, drawing him closer to me.

I was sure he was going to pull away, but to my surprise, he pushed me against his car, crashing his body and mouth harder against mine.

His kiss was all consuming. I could feel his hand in my hair gently tugging it. I groaned when our tongues collided passionately, having forgotten how good he tasted. Every sweep of my tongue was met with his in a timeless dance. Sparks seemed to be igniting all over my body. Oliver was bringing me back to life with his tender kiss.

“Mmm, I’ve missed those lips,” he purred, pulling back when the kiss finally came to an end. “As much as I want to ask you to come back to my place, I think we should wait until I get back from Russia.”

“Are you trying to say I’m the kind of girl who would sleep with a guy on their first date?” I teased. My arms were still wrapped around his neck and I loved the closeness.

“I know you are,” he chuckled, leaning down to peck my lips once more.

“Only when it comes to you. But you’re right. We should wait. We’re taking this slowly, remember?”

“I know,” he sighed, pulling me into him for another deep kiss. This time his hands began to slide down the side of my body.
Oliver going slowly?
Was that even possible?

I giggled against his mouth when his hands finally gripped my ass. “This is slowly for you?”

“Yep,” he grinned, finally pulling back. “Come on. Let’s get you back to your hotel before I lose complete control.”

“Good idea,” I sniggered, letting him open the car door for me.

“It’s funny how quickly things can go back to normal, huh?” He started his engine. “I really wish I could cut this trip short.”

“What’s the trip about?”

“It’s mostly meetings with N.A.T.O, but I have a few associates I’m scheduled to meet with, too.”

“No world leaders this time?”

“There will be some,” he muttered, unaffected by that statement. I was a Seductor and meeting certain world leaders would unnerve
me
. It wasn’t uncommon for them to be assigned as targets, so I had met a few. Oliver, though, was sitting there unfazed at the fact that he would be conversing with them while he was in Russia.

“Does nothing faze you?”

“What do you mean?” he asked, glancing at me quickly.

“Nothing scares you, does it?”

“In my job, no, but other things in my life do.”

“Like what?”

“Losing my father one day,” he sighed, staring at the traffic ahead of us. “I know he’s almost gone already, but the thought of never seeing him again terrifies me.” My heart ached for him. It was clear how much he idolized his father. “Then there’s you.”

“
Me?
” I questioned.

“I can’t think rationally when I’m around you, Jade. That’s a dangerous position for a man like me to be in.”

“Don’t you realize that I feel the same way when I’m around you? Oliver, you have no idea what I’ve been through these last six months. I tried to forget you, but I couldn’t get you out of my head!”

“Doesn’t that tell you something?” he grinned, pulling up outside my hotel. Why did it have to be so close to the restaurant? I looked at him quizzically. “You need to listen to your body. You can’t deny what it wants. I’ve been trying to tell you that since the moment we met.”

“I know,” I sighed, leaning in to peck his lips. “My body wants only you. I’ve always known that.” My statement stirred a low growl from within his chest, and before I could blink, his lips were pressed hard against mine.

“Fuck,” he moaned, fumbling with his seat belt. “You better get inside. I only have so much restraint.”

“Will you call me once you’ve landed in Russia?” I pouted, not wanting to move an inch as his lips began to move down my neck.

“Of course I will. When I get back, I promise we can try again. I won’t bring up the last six months. We’ll just start fresh and see where things go. I’ll go as slow as you need, Jade. I want you to open up to me.” I smiled against his lips, drowning in his words. This didn’t feel like a mission. I’d been given a second chance to fall deeper in love with him, and I didn’t want to waste a moment of it.

“I want that, too. You have no idea.” I moaned against his mouth as he captured my lips once more.

“Now get out of here before I hold you hostage and take you to Russia with me,” he chuckled, breaking our heated kiss.

“Where did all this control come from? Do you really want to wait until you get back from Russia? You know how good we are together,” I purred, tugging on his tie. My body was aching for him.

“Jade, if we do anything tonight, I won’t last two weeks without you.”

“So you haven’t…in the last six months…” I trailed off.

“No, I haven’t been with anyone since you.” He smiled warmly, running his hand through my hair. “So you can imagine all the things I want to do to you.” I held my thighs together, watching his hooded gaze on my legs. “One night wouldn’t be enough time for me, Jade. I’d need
days
to be even partially satisfied.” I swallowed hard, closing my eyes as he trailed his fingertips across the top of my breasts. “When I get back, I’ll make it up to you. I promise.” He pressed his lips softly to mine quickly. “Now go before I change my mind.”

“Okay,” I pouted, opening my eyes and finally getting out the car. “Make sure you call me.”

“I will,” he chuckled, rolling his window down. “I’ll see you soon, Beautiful.” My heart inflated at hearing his nickname for me.

Oliver really was beginning to forgive me. The only problem now was figuring out how I would cope without him for two weeks.

Chapter Seven

“It’s all under control, Sonia. Oliver wants to try again when he gets back from Russia.” I stretched, opening the documents she’d just sent me.

“I knew it wouldn’t take you long. Hopefully Alicia will get some information you can use when she returns. At least this assignment with Zara will keep you busy this week. She’s becoming quite a force to be reckoned with.”

I skimmed over the documents. “We’re working with the FBI?” I gasped, looking at the client’s name.

“Off the records, yes. They’ve been trying to bring down our target for years. He has a soft spot for blondes.” That would explain Zara and me taking this case. “They just need a location. The moment you find him, they’ll take over.” I knew from past experience it was never that easy when we worked with the FBI.

“There’s a lot of violence in these notes, Sonia. What are you getting Zara and me into?” I questioned. The more I read, the clearer it became that this was a very dangerous mission. Our target wasn’t only a murderer, but a rapist, too. I wasn’t concerned for myself because I’d undertaken missions like it before, but Zara was still inexperienced.

“I know you girls can handle it, but I want two of you on the case just to be safe. The fact that you’re already in New York is perfect!”

“When is Zara flying out?”

“Tomorrow. That will give you time to go over the documents and decide the best plan of action. Mr. Monroe mixes with some very dangerous company, so you’ll need to tread carefully and make sure you have a good escape plan mapped out. Don’t let yourselves be trapped before you can make the call.”

“Okay. I’ll do some research tonight.”

“Zara will be bringing all your new gadgets with her. Miles insisted on you having the newest available models.”

“Okay.”

“You’re focused on this mission with Mr. Kirkham, aren’t you? You can’t let your feelings control you, Jade. Not yet. I need your head clear for this side job, too. ”

“It’s all under control. You still haven’t sent my agreement over about my identity when I leave the Seductors, though,” I reminded her.

“I’m working on it.”    

“Which means it hasn’t been authorized yet!” I snapped. “Sonia, you promised me!”

“Acquire this steal and our founder will give you anything you want. The contract is being drawn up as we speak. Relax, Jade!”

“What if this power core doesn’t even exist? Will I still be able to go to him?” How could I even trust them?

“We’ll cross that bridge when we reach it.”

“When we
reach
it?” I yelled, completely losing it. “I accepted this mission because you offered me the Jade
Gibbs
identity when I completed my contract! I’m not walking away from Oliver for good. Whether he waits for me or not, I’m still going to him the moment my contract is over. I don’t care what you do!”

“What happened to you, Jade?” Sonia sighed. “You had so much promise.”

“I’m still the same Seductor, Sonia. I just have something to live for now when I leave.”

“I never thought you’d fall for a target.” The disappointment in her voice was clear.

“Yet you assign me to him again. You can’t be
that
angry with me.”

“I have to admit, for once it will work in our favor. Even if it does go against Seductor rules.”

“How did I get away with breaking a rule?”

“You were just lucky. Jade, this mission is unlike anything we’ve ever dealt with before. Most rules aren’t applicable with this one. You must know what you’re involved in.”    

“I do,” I muttered.

“Good. Zara will call you when she arrives. She might as well stay with you. When are you moving into your apartment?”

“In a few days.” At least Zara could help me settle in, not that much would need to be done. The apartment was fully furnished.

“Well, she can stay with you there, too. If Mr. Kirkham returns, you can say she’s an old friend of yours. I’ll expect a progress report from the two of you in a few days.” With that, she hung up.

I didn’t like the idea of still being on the mission when Oliver returned.

Staying up late that night, I researched and finished reading all the documents on Mr. Monroe. I wanted to get this assignment over with as quickly as possible.