"I was ready to die if it meant keeping you and Paloma safe." Britt leaned into his touch. "The moment I remembered everything—who I was, what I've done—I knew I couldn't risk bringing that world into your lives."
Lachlan's thumb traced the curve of her cheek. Even now, she was trying to protect them. "You don't get to make that decision alone. Not anymore." He held her gaze, willing her to understand. "We're in this together, Britt. All of it. The good, the bad, your past, our future. Together."
“And you’d follow me to Quattro, wouldn’t you? Make the ultimate sacrifice to be with me.”
He didn’t hesitate. “I would.”
A smile curved her lips. “This time, I’m making the sacrifice. Alejandro knows I need a clean break from Quattro. He’s going to ensure that happens. Hunter’s going to stick around to guard us. I’m putting everything in place to ensure you and Paloma are protected from my father’s enemies. My enemies.”
“Hunter?” Lachlan scoffs. “I don’t need him to protect my family.”
“Maybe not,” Britt said. “But he’s like a brother to me. I’m worried about what would happen to him. Maybe he can be part of Stingray with you or something. Who knows? We have time to figure that out later. The most important thing is that I choose you, Lachlan.” She reached up, covering his hand with her own. "Do you have any idea how much I love you?"
"Show me," he whispered. This woman. This impossible, maddening woman who always managed to keep him on edge. He didn’t give a damn about Quattro or Hunter or any other detail they would have to iron out later. Right now, all he cared about was Britt and the longing he needed to quell immediately.
The invitation hung between them for only a heartbeat before Britt rose on her tiptoes, pressing her lips to his. The kiss was slow, achingly tender.
Lachlan savored it.
Years apart, pain and anger melted away with every brush of her lips. Her skin was soft beneath his rough hands as he traced the line of her jaw, feeling the pulse that beat just beneath the surface. He deepened the kiss until it was searing, lifting her into his arms and groaning as her legs wrapped around his waist. Britt tugged on his shirt, soft moans tearing from her throat.
He carried her to the bed, laying her down and pulling the shirt over her head in one swift motion. His hands explored every familiar inch of her bare skin as he claimed what he’d almost lost.
Britt threaded her fingers through his hair. "Lachlan,” she breathed, arching into him.
Something in her tone filled holes he'd thought were permanently carved into his soul, making them full again for the first time in years.
Lachlan lifted his head to look at her—really look at her. A swell of fierce satisfaction shot through him at seeing nothing but happiness and love staring back at him.
“You’re crying?” He brushed away the tears that spilled onto her flushed cheeks.
Britt shook her head, laughing softly at herself. “I didn’t think I would live to have moments like this with you.”
“This is one in a lifetime of moments we’ll have together,” Lachlan promised. When he saw her wrestling with Wesley overthe bomb remote, knowing that she was willing to die and take the PISCO agent with her to save him and their daughter, he knew he’d do whatever it took to stop her unnecessary sacrifice.
There was no way he was living another day without her.
He’d had that life, and it was the worst kind of torture.
No matter what, he and Britt would be together again.
Make up for lost time.
Make new memories.
His mouth crashed down on hers with renewed hunger, devouring that sweet little whimper she made when she wrapped herself around him once more. The kiss ignited the air around them, wild and consuming. Britt’s nails dug into his back, pulling him closer, desperate for the kind of closeness they both weren’t sure they’d ever have again.
He tore at his shirt, his breathing ragged as her hands impatiently pulled it off. He pushed his sweat pants to the floor as she wriggled out of her thong.
Their bodies came together, skin meeting skin. Waves of heat shot down his spine and rippled outward through his limbs.
“Britt,” Lachlan murmured thickly, trailing kisses down the curve of her neck. “Damn, woman, ye drive me insane.”
A pleasure-filled sigh escaped her as his mouth brushed the hollow of her throat. She shifted under him, a wicked glint sparking in those beautiful brown eyes. Her hands maneuvered between their bodies until her fingers wrapped around his hard length with a teasing stroke that sent a deep groan vibrating through his chest. A smug, sexy little smile graced her lips as she coaxed it again and again.
“Britt—” Lachlan choked, pleasure bubbling up from his core, thick and molten. “What ye do to me, woman.”
“What?” She feigned innocence, but the wild mischief was back now, and he couldn’t get enough of it. Couldn’t get enoughof her. He was half-mad with wanting her after being apart for so long.
