Masked (22 page)

Medics circled them, pulling Roman and Bridgette away from one another as they checked each of them out. They were talking to her, but she still couldn’t make out a word. Her eyes kept flying to Roman, making sure he was okay. Every time she did, he was already looking at her. She had a feeling he hadn’t looked away once. There were open gashes on his arms, legs, and back, but from what she could see there was nothing fatal.

They had actually made it.

If she wasn’t so terrified still, she’d be jumping for joy. How many times had her life been put at risk over the past weeks, and each time she came out for the most part unscathed. The ringing in her ears had decreased to a lower hum, and slowly she could make out words, although they still sounded muffled.

She answered as many questions as she could, simply nodding and shaking her head. When the medic checking her declared that she was okay, and that her hearing would return in time, she felt herself being lifted into a pair of strong arms. Bridgette didn’t hesitate to wrap her arms around his neck, knowing full well who those arms belonged to. She had a sneaking suspicion she would know them for the rest of her life, even if years went by without her seeing him.

Roman made his way to a waiting SUV, ignoring everyone else who stayed around, cleaning up the site. He climbed into the backseat with her still in his arms, and ordered the driver to go. Normally Bridgette would have demanded he release her so she could sit on her own, but right now she needed the comfort she found in his embrace. Resting her head against his chest, she listened to the rhythmic beating of his heart, letting it lull her into a sense of security. They were safe.

She must have dozed off, because the next thing she was aware of was hearing the ding of the elevator when they reached her floor. Roman walked to her room in silence, never once complaining about her weight or seeming burdened by it. As soon as they were in her room, he walked them straight to the bathroom and sat her gently down on the bathroom vanity.

With slow, gentle movements, he began undressing her, starting with her boots, and moving up to lift her shirt over her head. Then he stepped back, doing the same for himself, as she hopped down and removed her pants and underwear. She stood naked in front of him, letting his eyes take her in with that slow perusal he seemed to always use with her. Her heart beat faster, her breath coming out practically as pants, but she didn’t move closer to him.

Instead she let her own eyes take him in, every muscle, every inch of skin that begged for her hands. She wanted him more than anything in the world, and was suddenly desperately afraid that he would put a stop to this like he’d been doing since the first time they were in this bathroom. He’d made no secret of the fact that he thought she was too good for him, and would therefore keep his distance.

Roman moved, walking past her to start the shower, steam slowly filling up the small space. Then he turned back around and grabbed her gently by the waist, lifting her off her feet and plastering her against him. Bridgette shivered at the feel of his skin against hers.

“This is wrong,” he said softly. “I shouldn’t be letting this happen.”

Fear had her gripping his arms, her nails digging in to his soft flesh. After everything she’d just gone through, she couldn’t handle it if he left her now. “I want you,” she said, letting the truth of that statement show in her eyes as he stared down at her.

A tortured groan erupted from his throat a second before his lips crushed against hers for the second time that day. She sighed in relief into his mouth, meeting his tongue eagerly. Moving her hands up his arms and over his broad shoulders, she gripped onto the back of his neck deciding that oxygen was wholly overrated when being kissed like this.

Roman walked them into the shower, the hot stream of water hitting her back. He turned them so they were both under as he continued to brand her with his mouth. A sound of protest escaped her lips when he pulled away to suckle on her neck, and along her collarbone. He walked forward until her back hit the cool tile, his hands reaching under her thighs, lifting her. She immediately wrapped them around his waist, feeling his hardness against her inner thigh. Knowing that he wanted her just as much as she wanted him had her frantic with need.

His mouth drifted down her neck again, leaving her gasping for air – not that she cared. His hands lifted her higher until his mouth was level with her breasts. Her panted breaths filled the air, rising over the sound of the running water. Teeth grazed the underside of one breast, nipping her so that she cried out in a mixture of shock and pleasure. He moved to the next breast, the soft strands of his hair gliding across her skin.

Another graze of teeth and nip came before his mouth enclosed around the aching nipple. She screamed out in pleasure, her hands gripping his head, holding him in place. Roman released the nipple, blowing hot air against it, before moving back to the other, showing it the same treatment. Every tug felt like a shockwave right to her core. She’d never wanted or needed someone as much as she needed Roman right in that moment.

“Please…”she begged, not quite sure what she was asking for. Roman lifted his head, his eyes filled with so much desire, it took her breath away. He leaned in and kissed her gently this time, his tongue playing lazily with hers. His hips shifted as he continued to explore her mouth, the tip of his cock prodding at her entrance. Then he entered her in one thrust. Bridgette tore her mouth away from his, screaming out at the feeling of being stretched more than she’d ever been. Roman froze, completely sheathed.

Bridgette was no virgin, but she hadn’t slept with anyone in years. Her lower body screamed in a mixture of pain and pleasure as she took a moment to grow accustom to his considerable size.

Roman dropped his forehead, resting it on her collarbone. “You’re so tight,” he said through clenched teeth. “So perfect.”

Bridgette moaned at his words, rotating her hips in a slow circle. Roman slid out a few inches then pushed back in slowly. Another moan escaped her as pleasure shot through her body.

“Again,” she demanded.

He didn’t need any more encouragement. Roman began moving in and out, his rhythm growing faster as Bridgette clawed at his back and arms. She’d never felt this wild or wanton during sex. Normally it was something that happened out of a rash decision on her part, and over just as quickly. This was different. Her body was in-tune with every movement he made, urging him on for more. It felt like she could never get enough to be fully satisfied.

His mouth covered hers again, his tongue plunging into hers, mimicking his movements as he drove in and out, harder and faster. Her orgasm built in the pit of her stomach, spreading down her legs, curling her toes. Then it erupted, his movements dragging it out until Bridgette could only see stars in front of her eyes. With three more thrusts, Roman pulled out, groaning as he came on the tile floor.

Bridgette tried to lower her legs, but Roman tightened his hold on her, keeping her between him and the wall. His head rested on her shoulder as he tried to catch his breath. Bridgette couldn’t believe he had held her that entire time. Her hands roamed over his thick arms, marvelling at just how strong he really was.

His face lifted to look at hers, so much emotion there she could feel her own tighten in her throat.

“I’m going to need you again,” he said, his voice husky and deep.

Bridgette smiled, a small giggle bubbling up and out of her mouth. “Good,” she said, weaving her fingers into his hair, “because I’m going to need you again too.”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Roman held out a towel for her, taking his time drying every inch of her body. She shivered, but he didn’t think it was from the cold if the desire in her eyes told him anything. He still couldn’t wrap his head around what just happened, not wanting to think about how wrong it was for him to share such intimacy with someone he’d betrayed long ago.

Pushing those thoughts aside, he led her into her bedroom, picking her up and laying her down on the bed. She was stunningly beautiful. Every curve on her body was made for a man. He doubted she even realized how easily she could bring him to his knees. Would he ever get enough of her?

Placing a knee on the bed, he grazed his hands leisurely up her legs, watching as her breathing became ragged again. Spreading her legs wide, he knelt between them, breathing in the scent that was uniquely Bridgette, and fast becoming addictive to his senses. Dropping kisses along her inner thigh, he made his way to the swollen bundle of nerves that had her crying out his name when he placed his mouth on it. Inserting a finger, then two, as he pulled and kissed her more intimate place, she unravelled only minutes later, her body sinking boneless into the mattress.

Heavily hooded eyes watched him as he crawled up her body. Roman kissed her with all he had, letting her taste how delicious she was. Bridgette moaned into his mouth, her hands gripping his shoulders as he let all his weight crush her further into the bed. The hard length of him nestled between her legs, already eager to be sheathed inside the only heaven he’d known in years – or perhaps his entire life. He was beginning to think he’d never find the same peace he found with Bridgette.

A knock at the door had them pulling apart with an identical groan of frustration. They smiled at one another.

“Ludwig would like you to meet in his office,” someone called through the door.

“He has impeccable timing, doesn’t he?” Roman whispered.

“I’d say,” she replied, a note of annoyance in her voice that had him smiling wider. “I’ll be right there,” she called out louder for the soldier outside to hear.

“I think I should request we be allowed to spend an entire day in bed,” Roman suggested.

Bridgette laughed. “I think a week would be sufficient.”

Roman gasped. “Insatiable,” he teased.

Her fingers played gently with the hairs at his nape. “Only with you,” she replied.

He nipped at her bottom lip, meaning to pull away after, but Bridgette had other plans, and soon turned it into another melting kiss that had his head spinning. The effect she had on him was astounding. She hooked one leg high up on his waist, opening her further to him.

“We need to go,” he said against her mouth.

“They can wait another five minutes.”

Who was he to deny such a beautiful creature? He entered her slowly this time, knowing now how tightly she gripped him, giving her time to grow accustom. Then they moved together, their lips never breaking apart as they both found their climaxes, crying out in unison into each other’s mouths.

Roman watched her as she dressed, a heavy weight laying on his chest. This should be just the beginning for them, but he knew it couldn’t last. Even though he wanted to keep her by his side more than anything, he couldn’t deviate from his plan to return her to Lottey. Bridgette needed to be as far away from the danger lurking around them at every turn as possible. Today proved that more than anything. He couldn’t even afford to bring her on a routine scouting mission without her life being put at risk. No matter what he did, he’d make it right by her and ensure her safety. It was the least he could do.

“I can’t send the two of you anywhere,” Ludwig complained the second they entered his office. “How do two people manage to constantly find themselves in life and death situations?”

“A rather unique ability, it would seem,” Roman replied, sitting down in a chair. He wanted to reach out and grab Bridgette, pulling her onto his lap, but he knew he couldn’t. In front of Ludwig they’d have to act the same as before.

“I’m sorry,” Bridgette said, taking the seat next to him. “It was my fault.”

Ludwig froze, eyes wide as he stared at her. “Did you just apologize to me?”

Bridgette shifted nervously in her seat.

“I feel like I should have this documented,” Ludwig said jokingly. “Dinah, the infamous Weapon X, finally apologizes for her behaviour. Hell hast frozen over it would appear.”

“Very funny,” Roman said dryly.

“Well, it was my fault,” Bridgette defended, her shoulders relaxing at Ludwig’s playfulness. “I stepped on the bloody mine without seeing it.”

“I should hope you hadn’t stepped on it on purpose, sweetheart, otherwise I’d have serious concerns about you,” Ludwig replied. He sat down in his chair, his smile slipping. “Are you alright then?”

Bridgette nodded. “We’re fine. Minor cuts is all.”

Ludwig shook his head, rubbing a tired hand down his face. “I’m seriously considering putting the two of you on lock down until we find those wankers. I can’t afford to keep having my best two men put in danger.”

Roman sat up, pleased at this new idea.

“Of course, I can’t,” he continued, deflating Roman’s hope. “We mustn’t allow them to think they’re attacks are affecting us. We are stronger than them. Let those rebels throw their best at us, but we will still come out the victors.”

“Hopefully,” Roman muttered. “We can’t always be so lucky.”

He knew how much Ludwig hated pessimism, but it was the truth. Odds were they wouldn’t keep sneaking by unscathed like they had. Their luck was bound to run out.

“Sal is having a field day with all this,” Ludwig said, ignoring his comment just as Roman knew he would. “He seems to think I have complete lack of control over the city. It’s bloody well pissing me off. I wish he’d go back home already.”

Roman chuckled. “We haven’t even seen his presentation.”

“Screw his presentation,” Ludwig snapped. “I don’t need him to show me how his newest gadgets work. We can figure that out on our own. The only reason he’s here is to look over my shoulder. He has his eye on this city, I just know it.”

Roman sat forward, hands clasped loosely between his legs. “You honestly think that?”

“I wouldn’t be surprised. Such friends are thy enemies, and all that.”

“Sal would most definitely fit the role of a knave,” Bridgette said softly.

Ludwig grinned at her. “That he would. Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer. A motto my father taught me all my life. I don’t trust Sal as far as I could throw him, but he serves his purpose. For now, let us focus on zeroing in on these rebels and removing the threat once and for all.”