Master No (Masters and Mercenaries, #9)(115)

“What do I have to give, Faith?”

This was it. She would either convince him or lose him, and she suddenly knew she wouldn’t survive losing him. No matter what had happened, she loved this man. He might have been a shit to her in the beginning, but he’d protected her at the cost of his mission. She had to make him see that it could work. “You’re so smart, Ten. You’re smart and funny, and I like who I am around you.”

His face softened. “I like who I am around you, too. I’m a better man around you.”

That was good. “I don’t think you should keep pursuing my father. Not like this. I think you could take him down through research. I’ll help you. I’ll give you everything I know because I want to stop him, too. But it’s too dangerous to do it this way.”

“You think we can take him down using good investigative work?”

She nodded eagerly. “Yes. I think if McKay-Taggart wants to find information, they’ll find it. It simply takes patience. I know you want to take him out because of what he did to your brother, but could you be happy with sending him to prison?”

“Yes, Faith.” His voice was sure. “I could be happy with that. But that doesn’t change the fact that you’re going to be on that plane this afternoon. You will go back to Dallas and you will lay low until I figure this out and I can be sure you’re safe. I’m going to use the time to keep you naked as much as possible.”

“Somehow I think your sister won’t like that much.”

“My sister can get used to it. As often as I’ve caught sight of her and Jesse doing it at Sanctum, she can get used to my wife being naked. And she knocks. We’ll keep the door locked.”

She stopped. “You said I was still getting on the plane.”

“Yes. I did and you are. I will be your pilot for today, ma’am. You should know that I only accept tips from beautiful doctors.”

Now the tears were flowing in earnest. “You called me your wife.”

“I was hoping we could negotiate that contract, darlin’. I’m not getting any younger. I love you, Faith. Is there any way you can love me? Even a little. I know I don’t have a lot to offer, but I’ll give you everything I have. I’ll be the man you deserve, and that starts with getting on that plane with you. It starts with choosing you. I choose you, Faith.” He stepped forward and his hands cupped her face, staring down at her. “I pray that you’ll choose me, too. Forgive me. I was an idiot.”

He was coming with her? He was leaving the island with her. He was choosing her. It was enough. “I love you, Tennessee. I’ll always choose you, too.”

She went on her toes and brushed her mouth against his, her whole body coming alive again. It had only been a few days, but it felt like forever since she’d kissed him. His hands moved, tangling in her hair as he took control of the kiss.

His tongue licked at her lips and she let him in. Faith molded her body to his, feeling every lean muscle. She let her hands slip down, easing over his shirt. She wanted to feel his skin, his warmth. She could never get enough of him. His tongue rubbed against hers as his hands explored. They seemed to want the same things, she and her man. Flesh to flesh. She tugged on the bottom of his shirt.

And then remembered what he’d been through.

“I’m sorry. Did I hurt you?”

His eyes had darkened with desire. “Don’t even try that shit with me right now. I want you. I might be the tiniest bit uncomfortable, but that is nothing compared to what you’re going to be if you treat me like an invalid. I want to do something with you. Something I haven’t done in a long time. I don’t want any walls between us.”

She shook her head. She didn’t want anything between them either.

He backed up and pulled his shirt over his head. His chest looked so much better this morning. He would have new scars, but nothing could make Ten Smith anything less than gorgeous. She reached out and gently brushed her fingertips down his chest to the waistband of his sweatpants. They were slightly too large, having come from one of the other guys, so they rode low on his hips. His cock proved he was telling the truth. The man was feeling better, and she wanted to make sure he felt amazing.

“What do you want from me?”

He eased the shirt off her and her nipples immediately responded to the heat of his gaze. They pebbled for him, desperate for his touch. Her whole body was warming, softening and getting ready for him.

“Everything, darlin’. I want everything you’ve got. But first you’re going to have to get me ready to f*ck you.”

Yes, he seemed to be having so much trouble in that area. She didn’t complain though. She’d apparently had terrible timing. If she’d been the slightest bit more patient, she wouldn’t have called her future husband a moron. Oh, he was at times, but it was kinder to let him think she didn’t know. She dropped to her knees and slowly dragged the sweatpants over his muscled hips. He wasn’t wearing any underwear, so his cock sprang free. Long and thick, he was right. It appeared they’d left this part of him alone. She sighed and studied him as she stroked his erection. There were a few places on his lower abdomen with healing spots from the day before. She leaned over and brushed them softly with her lips.

Her father had done this to him and he still wanted her.

She looked up at him. “Did you think I was involved in my father’s business?”