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She didn’t breathe, didn’t even blink. He couldn’t want this. Or if he did, he’d want quick and dirty fun. A sordid secret he’d tell no one. A baron didn’t want a gutter rat.
His hands moved from her arms and down her sides, stroking the curve of her waist and sending a vibration to her core.
Eden’s senses scrambled. He was just touching her through her clothing, but it felt highly charged with a promise of what sex would be like with him. Blaze would never be rough, unless she wanted him to be.
She may pick guys who didn’t believe in commitment, but now and again she toyed with the fairy tale of being someone’s everything.
She didn’t want that. She didn’t believe in the happily ever after bull. But in that moment, she could have that fantasy. Just for a short while, as she stared at Blaze, she grabbed the illusion.
She could be his everything. He was a good guy. A decent, strong, supportive guy who wanted her just as she was. He’d never betray her, cheat, or lie to her. He’d always be there.
Yeah, right.
Eden took a breath, longing searing through her, desperate for Blaze’s touch. He wouldn’t do it. He wouldn’t take without asking. So she’d have to.
Blaze dropped his hold and stepped back, breaking their connection. “I have work to do.”
“Um, yeah. Sure. I mean, me too.” Her heart pistoned and her legs shook as he walked away.
What the hell had just happened between them?
***
“Damn!” Blaze yankedhis thumb away and threw down the tool. He inspected the damage as blood oozed from under a nail.
They’d been flying for twelve hours on their way to Tiavac. He was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. He kept returning to when he’d crossed the line with Eden. He’d come so close to losing his cool, and always struggled to keep his emotions in check around her.
Eden only had to be near him and it was like she lit the blue touch paper of his desire. Although most of the time, she seemed to have no clue of the effect she had on him.
But the second he’d seen her with Ranger, he’d almost lost control.
He should have kept away, but his instinct to claim her had pushed him too far.
Now, her scent still lingered around him, like a damn ghost, reminding him what a jerk move that had been.
“Blaze, you copy?” It was Ranger over the comm link.
He gritted his teeth. He didn’t have a problem with any of the guys in the military escort. He appreciated them helping. But seeing Eden with Ranger stirred up a rage he’d never felt before, and he was having trouble controlling it.
“Sure. Is there something you need?” he said.
“I just wanted a friendly chat whilst it’s all quiet out here.”
“About what?” He didn’t need to be Dallin level genius to figure out the topic of the conversation.
“About what’s eating you.”
Blaze scowled. “Nothing.”
“Do you have concerns about this mission? It’s smooth flying out here. Not even space debris is screwing with us.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“So?”
Blaze pinched the bridge of his nose. “I just need this mission to go without a hitch.”
“You on High Command’s black list or something? I know all about that. It’s why we’re here.”
