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Because he’d never let anyone get that close, not when he could lose his life on a mission.
Mark looked back at Amy. The panic haunted her. He could see it in her eyes. But she was pushing through, picking up the oversize scissors ordered for today. Raising them with a forced smile, Amy cut the wide blue ribbon in one swift motion.
Men and women rushed forward, threatening to box her in and shower her with congratulations. Mark moved to the side, determined to remain close, prepared to extract her.
“If you’ll excuse me,” Amy said quickly, stepping away. “I need a minute.”
Stepping over the ribbon, she opened the door and disappeared inside. Mark followed, determined to search her out. The door slammed behind him.
“Amy,” he called.
He scanned the empty hall as he moved farther into the building. He found her standing with her back pressed against the wall, her head back, eyes closed.
He slowed, moving to her side, fighting the urge to draw her into his arms. “It’s over.”
“It was a lie.” She turned and headed down the hall, moving farther away from the voices outside. “So many damn lies.”
Mark followed, stopping beside her when they reached the door to the veterinary room.
“I lied to you this morning. And last night.” She opened the door, leading the way inside. “I didn’t want just one night. A fantasy,” she said, speaking quickly.
“Amy.” He placed his hands on her shoulders and turned her to face him “What do you want? Tell me now.”
She touched his arms, running her hands up to his shoulders, mapping the contours of his neck until she reached his face. “You. I want you for myself.”
“I’m here for you, Amy. It’s okay to want something for yourself.”
“Is it?” She stepped closer, pressing her body flush against his.
“Hell, yes.” As long as that something is me.
“Please, kiss me, Mark.” Her blue eyes stared up at him, her nails digging into his shoulders. She rose up on her tiptoes, running her fingers through his hair as she drew his mouth down to meet hers. Amy kissed him long and hard. His hands moved to her hips, drawing her against him, letting her feel how much he wanted her.
But even through the thick cinder-block walls he could hear the hundreds of well-intentioned people gathered to see her. They’d watched her slip inside the building, and most had witnessed Mark chasing after her. If they didn’t come back soon, someone would come looking for them.
He pulled back. “Amy, I want this, too. But there are two hundred people here. You need to go back.”
“Not yet.” She guided his jacket off his shoulders and tossed it aside. Her hand moved to his chest, toying with the buttons on his shirt. “I can’t stand to spend another minute up there on that pedestal of perfection. I want to be here with you.”
He couldn’t say no to her. Not to Amy. If she needed him, if she wanted him here, he’d stay. He pushed aside the voice in the back of his mind that warned she was seeking an escape, nothing more.
Hell, that should work for him. He didn’t do more. And he knew damn well he wasn’t her future.
She released the last button, stripping off his dress shirt. Her eyes followed every movement until it fell to the floor. She reached for his undershirt, slowly drawing it up. Having her blindfolded, reliant on touch, had worked for him last night. But the way her eyes widened as she stripped away his clothes, the way she looked at him as if every inch of his bare skin turned her on, that worked for him, too.
They didn’t have much time, though.
Taking over, he pulled the shirt over his head. “Take off your jacket,” he said.
She raised an eyebrow, heat flaring in her eyes, but she obeyed.
“Your pants,” she demanded.
He unbuttoned the top of his slacks and paused. “Unzip your dress and I’ll keep going.”
Their game turned into a race, clothes falling to the floor, followed by Amy’s hairpins, leaving her long locks flowing freely over her shoulders. Stepping out of his underwear, he reached for her, wanting to strip off her bra, stockings and panties. But she evaded him, sinking down to her knees.
“Amy—”
