Worth the Fall(65)

“No, that’s why she’s at the academy. They tested her and they have a special program. She fits in there. It’s good for the other kids too. Incredible resources and…”

Her words trailed off as he pressed his thumbs into her calf, sliding slowly upward.

“So, you went to lunch with Pink Shirt.”

“How do you—”

“I have my ways.”

“Mmm. You have informants, and all of them are very short. It was just a meeting about school. Something I’m helping with.”

He’d bet that wasn’t the only reason William wanted to go to lunch with her. William, who was here. All the time. When Matt wasn’t.

Without opening her eyes, she touched his arm. “It was just a friendly lunch.”

Right. Men did not want to be just friends with women who looked like Abby. And she was even more beautiful inside than out. The thought of another man getting close enough to know that made him crazy.

He continued his ministrations, working his hands up to her knee before returning to circle her heel.

She sighed again in satisfaction. “Oh my gosh, you are so good at that. This could be your new career.”

He leaned down and brought her calf to his lips, needing a taste. What did she think of the career he had? She was everything gentle and good, compared to his deadly skills. He’d never cared what a woman thought. Never wanted a woman to ask him about it. Until Abby.

“You never ask about my job,” he said, his eyes intent on her face. “Is it because it bothers you?” She opened her eyes to look at him, and he held his breath.

“No, it doesn’t bother me,” she said, bringing his hand to her cheek. “Do you want to tell me? Or do you think I need to know? Because I don’t.” She pressed a kiss into his palm. “I know without a doubt that whatever choices you have to make, you make the right ones.”

Matt looked into eyes so green they reminded him of the bottles that lined his grandmother’s windowsill. Green as glass. She didn’t ask specifics. Didn’t care about missions or medals or rank. Abby believed in him. Not the job, just him.

It was a kind of absolution from his very own angel, only she didn’t know what she was absolving him from.

He leaned down to kiss her, then sat back, feeling lighter than he had in years. He combed his fingers through her hair, the dark strands contrasting with the light of her eyes. Her lids grew heavy and fell closed as they always did when he caressed her head.

And she was so hot. He continued working her feet and legs, her thighs, sliding his hand up a little farther each time in slow degrees—back to her feet, behind her knee, the inside of her thigh. Her breathing changed along with his. No longer completely relaxed, her chest rose and fell. Her lips parted.

After several passes, his fingers slipped under her shorts. He teased them both, taking his time. He played there a while, tracing around the edge of her panties, making her squirm. Then finally he brushed across her center with his thumb. Soft and wet.

Before he knew what she was doing, Abby grabbed his arm for leverage and swung her feet to the floor.

“That’s it.”

She clicked off the TV and headed toward the bedroom, moving surprisingly fast for her condition. He happily followed.

—

Abby flipped off the light to the adjoining bathroom and stepped out, wearing only Matt’s giant shirt. A small table lamp in the corner threw a soft, pale light over the room—enough to see, but not enough to make her self-conscious, though she was feeling unusually bold and hot with desire. Both Matt’s doing.

Good Lord, he was beautiful. Completely take-your-breath-away, man-hot beautiful. He’d stripped to his boxers. His long legs extended over the end of the bed, his big feet planted on the floor. Arms, thick with muscle, stretched over his head, laying his mouthwatering body out before her.

“You going to stare at me all night or come over here?”

Just the sound of his voice kicked her need up another notch. She moved to the bed, her eyes glued to his rippling torso. She took a slow, hesitant step. And another as he rid himself of his boxers. She wanted him.

He hissed out a sharp breath when she straddled him and realized there was nothing between them where their bodies met.

“Abby.” His eyes burned with a sexual heat.

She wanted to touch him the way he touched her. Make him feel the way he made her feel. Important and wanted and happier than she’d ever been.

Starting at the cut of his abs, she slid her palms upward, following the shape and contour of his body. Her fingertips explored the swirling hair of his chest and she paused to spend some time around his nipples. All the while he lay silently, but she felt his breaths increase. She knew his body now, every strong, sleek line of it, and it amazed her still that he was here.