A Cold Dark Promise (Cold Justice #8.5)(5)

“Not much. What does she want? Is she going to cause trouble for us?” This was her one true fear. That someone would reveal Alex’s past and she’d lose him. She could not lose him. He said he had safeguards in place. She trusted him, but she worried…

He rolled them so they faced each other on the bed, and touched her face. “It’s okay. We’re okay.” He drew in a breath that spoke of regrets and misgivings. “Her ex-husband’s a wealthy Saudi businessman who snatched their kid during his first visitation four years ago. Kid will be eight now.”

Mallory’s mouth opened in shock. Being pregnant had changed her perspective about a lot of things. Must be the hormones, but all her emotions seemed deeper now, more rounder, more fully formed.

“I didn’t know. She never mentioned it.” But why would anyone bring that up in casual conversation? Not to mention Mallory had been consumed by the mystery of what had happened to her own sister, consumed by her own pain.

“Why did she want to talk to you?” she asked.

“She got word the ex turned up on the French Riviera, and she wanted me to help snatch the kid back.” He touched his forehead to hers. “I told her no. I’m getting married next week. I can’t leave now.”

“What did she say?” Mallory braced herself for threats and blackmail.

“That she’d do it herself.”

Air deflated from her lungs and shame for being so caught up in her own worries crept over her. It wasn’t that long ago that she’d been the one desperate for answers.

They stopped talking. Alex’s hand moved to cup her full breasts. He teased one nipple until she throbbed and moaned. She rolled onto her back as he explored her with strong hands and a clever mouth. She wanted to touch him, but he often seemed to need this—to touch and explore her like she was his magical place. He took his time, claiming every inch of skin as his own while her blood slowly heated.

Licks of pleasure spiraled into a cyclone of lust. His fingers dipped between her thighs and she moaned. Finding her ready, he turned her away from him, arranging a pillow beneath her baby bump and another cushioning her head. This was her favorite position now she was pregnant and he knew it. Alex moved behind her and slid deep inside and she came with a deep shudder. He leaned up, squeezed her nipple even as he thrust slowly in and out. She could lie like this for hours, days, it felt so good. She shook with pleasure, and she couldn’t bear for it to change but…

“More, Alex. Deeper.” It was a private joke between them, but the hoarseness of her voice took her by surprise. He got to her every single time.

He angled them slightly, and pressed deeper, touching that spot inside her that made her tremble and shudder and fly off that ledge again like a skydiver at terminal velocity. She cried out and he thrust faster, his hands gripping her hips as sweat made their bodies slick.

She ground against him and felt him stiffen as he came inside her. His fingers clinging to her like a man trying to save himself from drowning.

Their breathing quieted. Heartbeats slowed and melded.

The dying sun cast long shadows through their bedroom window.

“You have to help her,” Mallory said quietly.

His arm curled over her hip, and he pulled her closer.

“I can take another week off work,” she said.

“No way are you getting involved in this.”

She looked over her shoulder and smiled. “You can’t stop me.”

He kissed her fingers and smiled sadly. “I know I can’t stop you, but if you insist on coming with me, then I won’t go.”

His silver gaze wasn’t angry or demanding. It was calm. Implacable. Mallory blew out a big breath of frustration. It was the first time Alex had refused to let her be involved in something. She knew he hid things from her occasionally. But the two of them had made a promise to one another the day investigators had uncovered her sister’s body.

No more lies.

Ever.

And that was why he was telling her this now, she realized.

Her fingers gripped his, hugging him to her. “I don’t want something bad to happen to you.”

“I can take care of myself.”

She swallowed. “I know you can, but I don’t want you to have to take care of yourself. I want to look after you. I want to be the one watching your back.”

He ran a finger down her spine and followed it with his lips.

She closed her eyes. “You know what I mean.”

“I do. I feel it every time you go to work without me.”

But he let her go anyway, because she needed the space to do her job, and he respected that. He respected her.

She rolled onto her back. She didn’t want Alex to go on this job without her, but she knew she wasn’t the only one who needed space to work, even when that work wasn’t clearly defined. She touched his face.

“I can’t go.” Alex insisted, but there was no conviction behind his words. “We have a wedding to prepare for and a dog to look after.”

Rex was in the living room on the couch. He’d fetch a ball from dawn until dusk, but he was generally a couch potato which suited them both perfectly right now. Mallory intended to get a puppy or two after the wedding. She’d convince Alex by reminding him dogs were good security.

“All you have to do for the wedding is turn up—and write those place name cards. The wedding planner,” who Alex had nicknamed the General for good reason, “is doing virtually everything else including arranging transportation for all the guests who are flying in. I can make any last-minute adjustments and double-check on the flowers and still go to work every day next week. Hiring that woman is the best idea you’ve ever had.”