Page 60 of Russian Rescue

“Roger that,” he answered.

Another car moved through the gate, so we crept up another spot.

“You sure your Russian is ready?” I asked.

Wes answered in perfect Russian. “While you guys were off learning all your super-secret agent stuff, I was learning nine different languages so I could listen to chatter from all over the world. I’m perfectly fluent, as you can see.”

I answered back in Russian. “Not bad at all.”

A proud smile lifted his lips and deepened those impossibly charming dimples. “We’ve got this. Once I get this server hacked, we’ll have all the proof we need to shut them down and end this thing for good.”

“Yep. And then we can get the hell out of Russia.”

His face fell at the comment, and I knew where his mind went again.

“Sorry you got stuck here with me so long,” he answered softly.

“I’m not stuck here with you, Wes. You know that’s not what I meant.”

“Isn’t it? You’ve made it pretty clear that you can’t wait to get back to your life... the one without me.”

It felt like I just took a shot to the gut in my bulletproof dress. I muted my comms so Knox couldn’t hear and gestured for Wes to do the same. “That’s not what any of this means, Wes. If it was going to be anyone, it would be you. I hope you know that. But I can’t have any romance in my life. It just doesn’t work for me.”

“I understand,” he said, but the words lacked conviction.

“Wes,” I reached over and slid my hand over his. “I care about you as much as I’m capable of. And that means something.”

With a sigh, he wrapped his hand around mine. “I know. I’m sorry I pushed you to admit something you weren’t feeling. That wasn’t right.”

“What? You mean withholding sex from me?” A slight smile teased across my lips.

“Hey, that was way harder for me than it was for you.” He laughed. “Pretty much used up all the water in Russia taking cold showers after watching you parade around in your towel half the day trying to seduce me.”

I pressed a hand to my chest and looked shocked. “What? Me? You think I was doing that on purpose?”

“I know you were doing that on purpose, you evil temptress, you.”

Laughing, I shrugged. “Evil temptress was basically in my Elite Stealth Force job description.”

“Well, being on the receiving end of your torment really sucks.”

“Yeah, but you resisted me anyway. First person I can honestly say did that.”

“Yeah?” He perked up.

“Yeah. Mad props to your skills at turning me down.”

“I almost caved about nine million times.”

“But you didn’t. Bravo to you. Although, your excellent resolve has left me sexually frustrated and heading into a high-tension scene. I usually do my best work if I’m not wound so tight.”

That familiar flicker of desire ignited in his eyes. “Really?”

The way his eyes roved down to my cleavage set my skin on fire. “Yeah. Helps me concentrate on the mission.”

Wes lifted his eyes to my lips, and then our gazes connected. “Well, I mean, I know I said you weren’t getting any free milk, but if it’s going to help you be focused tonight, I suppose I could make an exception. I mean, just for the sake of the mission and your safety.”

My thighs clenched. “Oh really? Just for my benefit, huh?”