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“Shush, a few more kisses and then we will stop. For now.” Talib tipped her head up and bent down over her again. He took her mouth, this time not asking nor gingerly feeling his way. His kiss was hungry, a meeting of teeth and tongues as he mimicked what he wanted to do to other parts of her body. He consumed her, exploring the inside of her mouth and encouraging her to do the same.
And she did, tightening her hand in his hair and holding his head tight to hers. She kissed him back, mimicking his actions, so caught up in the moment they both totally forgot where they were.
When PJ attempted to turn around so that she could face him, she began to tip sideways. Talib’s hands settled on her waist, holding her in place on his lap.
“PJ?” he murmured to her, kissing his way down her neck once more before lifting his head to the sky and catching his breath. “PJ.” She still had her head tipped back, and Talib watched her eyelids flutter before they opened to meet his in the moonlight. He quirked a corner of his mouth when he realized he’d never stared into any woman’s upside-down eyes before. He would stare into PJ’s no matter how they were oriented. They had darkened with her desire and were only partially open. She struggled to gain control of her erratic breathing. “We have to stop.”
Talib was sure she could see the smoldering passion in his eyes, and then she seemed to remember where they were. Closing her eyes, she took ragged breaths, and he watched, impressed at how well she managed to gain control of her breathing and settle her raging desires, which surely burned as hot as his. As he watched her, he vowed,Time enough to continue this later!
When she opened her eyes, she gave him a little smile over her shoulder. “That wasn’t very smart, was it?”
Talib touched her nose before answering, “The chemistry between us doesn’t care about smart, it only wants to be explored. After this mission is through, I want you to spend some time with me.”
“To finish what we started?” she asked.
“Yes. But I also want to learn more about you. You can start by telling me what your initials stand for.”
PJ shook her head. “You never give up, do you?”
“No. I really do want to know. I want to learn everything there is to know about you.”
“Well, I grew up in a typical American suburban family. My mom taught history and my dad taught science and was the baseball coach at the local high school, where they’d met. My mom had been there for two years, and my dad had just started. The way they used to tell it, it was love at first sight.”
Talib listened as she told him about her upbringing, about losing her parents her first year of college when they were struck by a drunk driver. Then losing her brother a few years later to the insurgents in Iraq. How she’d felt so lost without them and how Slade had saved her by giving her a purpose she didn’t know she needed.
Talib was amazed at how resilient and strong she was, hating that she had suffered so much, but proud of the way she had come out on the other side of her troubles, stronger and more determined than ever to keep fighting for her future.
Talib had exchanged childhood stories with her and loved how enthralled she seemed when he shared with her what it was like to grow up in the palace. She laughed along with him at tales of his and his cousins’ attempts to sneak into the kitchen at night to help themselves to the leftovers, especially dessert.
He found that he and this young American had many things in common. They were both adrenaline junkies, had a love of anything and everything sweet, and protecting those around them had become their lives.
Talib had finally found someone who understood his motivations to protect the royal family. Their backgrounds were vastly different, yet what they wanted for their futures was so similar. He was starting to think that PJ was tailor made for him. He just hoped she agreed.
13
PJ
PJ scanned the moonlit landscape, wanting this mission to move ahead quickly and without further incident. The camaraderie she felt with Talib was unusual, and she hadn’t even attempted to disguise her true self as they had talked about their lives.
Talib was an honorable man with strong convictions, a high moral standard, and a desire to make those around him feel safe and free to live their lives. She had known him less than a day, but already she could tell that his emotions ran deep and he was man enough to acknowledge them. Add in the fact that he turned her on like no one else before him, and PJ couldn’t wait to explore the chemistry and budding relationship between them further.
She was slated to be in the country for a minimum of two months, and after that, she could foresee the sheikh wanting twenty-four seven surveillance of his wife indefinitely. PJ would gladly sign on for that task, especially if it provided her more time to explore the gorgeous man sitting behind her.
She heard the crackle of the com unit just before Brett’s voice came over the line. “This is Operations. Come in, Talib.”
Talib responded. “This is Talib. We hear you.”
“You are approaching the target’s location.”
“How close are we?” Talib asked, bringing the camel to a stop.
“Less than one klick. They will have to come right past you in the morning to gain access to the mountains. We think you should stop there, so you don’t stumble across them in the dark.”
“A klick is a kilometer,” PJ said quietly, unsure if Talib was familiar with the term.
Talib gave her a quick nod before responding, “Roger. We’ll do that. Any word from the palace?”
“We spoke with the sheikh less than an hour ago. No one is getting much sleep tonight. Sumari authorities are interrogating the extremists, but so far, none of them appears to be aware of what our young friend is up to. The senior leaders believe he is acting on his own out of revenge for his father’s death. And at the prompting of his mother.”
