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Her breasts brushed his chest as she squirmed and tried to jerk back from him. Sharp jolts of desire shot into him. He squelched his sudden clawing need for her and leaned closer.
“Laurie,” he whispered harshly in her ear. “Wake up.”
“No. Leave me alone.” She groaned, twisting under him and shoving uselessly at his grip.
She grimaced in misery but kept her eyes squeezed shut. He slid his hands to her shoulders and roughly shook her. Her eyelids fluttered but did not open. Still trapped in whatever nightmare or pain she relived, she fought him. “No!”
Damien frowned. He had to shut her up before she drew unwanted attention. He pinned her arms to her sides and leaned even closer. He captured her mouth with his, stifling and swallowing her groans and yells. She tensed and tried to pull away but he lay over her and pinned her in place. His lips moved over hers with a gentleness that surprised even him.
Gradually, she stopped struggling and tentatively kissed him back. Squelching the urge to plunder, he dragged his mouth from hers and stared at her. Her eyes snapped open and met his stare. A sharp gasp burst from her and she glared at him in freezing contempt.
“Get off me!” Her teeth were clenched and bared but he heard every distinct word.
“It’s not what it looks like,” he stated firmly. “Listen to me.”
“No! I’ve heard enough of your lies!” Her shouted contempt did not quite hide the pain in her eyes. It mingled with betrayal and accusation, even confusion, and made him feel like a slug.
He clamped his hand over her mouth and shifted position to sprawl full length on top of her. Her eyes narrowed in disgust and she shoved in vain against his chest. He effectively immobilized her. No matter how much he deserved her tirade, he could not allow her to draw attention to them. He loosened his grip but kept his hand over her mouth.
“I didn’t think rape was your style.” Her lips moved against his palm. In other circumstances it might have been an erotic caress. She sucked in a ragged breath. “Maybe it is, all things considered.”
That sharp, hateful accusation stung and he scowled down at her. “Such faith is overwhelming.” His tone oozed sarcasm. He saw the flash of hurt in her eyes and forced himself to ignore it. “I told you. I’m not a traitor.”
Her eyes flashed emerald fire as she shook her head in vehement denial.
“I had to bring you here. It was the only way to get inside,” he insisted flatly. “Hate me.
Despise me, all you want. It changes nothing.” It only put bitter longing in his heart.
Her eyes blazed with angry disbelief and then narrowed in suspicion. She renewed her struggles but was no match for him in her weakened state. She twisted her head in a futile attempt to escape his hand. He held her easily in place, forcing himself to endure what he read in her eyes.
“I'm not letting you go until you hear me out,” he said stonily. “I'm breaking orders telling you this, but I need your cooperation.”
Mutiny glinted in her eyes and he barely managed not to flinch under her murderous glare.
“My assignment was to infiltrate this group. I had a contact, but I didn’t know where they were. I had to turn you over to get in here—to prove my loyalty.”
He grimaced bitterly at the last word. The General believed him to be a mercenary who had deserted in the interest of money. If he was caught, the United States would disavow all knowledge of his actions. He would be branded a traitor by the very country he defended.
“It was the only way to get to Crawford and let my people know where we are,” he finished.
ALWAYS A WARRIOR Patricia Bruening
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Realization dawned in her eyes and she stiffened under him. He could almost see her mind racing as she connected the mental dots. He slowly removed his hand. Pain flashed again in her eyes then disappeared as she quickly recovered her wits.
“You used me,” she accused hoarsely. “I thought you felt something for me. I thought
.…”
“Laurie .…”
“Shut up,” she snarled. “I made love to you. I was a fool—again.”
Peering deeper into her eyes, he teetered on the edge of his own despair. Beneath the expected anger, hate, and pain lay abject despair—caused by him. He swallowed convulsively and expelled a heavy sigh. His heart twisted painfully in his chest. She had loved him once. He would love her forever.
“Get off,” she ordered flatly.
He stood up, his soul bleak. She closed her eyes, rolled over, and put her back to him.
“I’ll get you out of here,” he vowed grimly, then left her to her cold, impenetrable silence.