Echoes at Dawn (KGI #5)(45)

“I didn’t say they weren’t able to be defeated. I’m just telling you that they’re a serious threat. I want you to understand it. Know it. Live it. Breathe it. Never let your guard down even for a moment.”

“So we can beat them?”

She tried to keep the hope out of her voice because she didn’t want to sound desperate—even if that’s what she was feeling.

“We have no other choice,” Rio said in a grave tone. “KGI has the resources but we’re divided. We can’t leave Shea, and I’m damn sure not leaving you. Which means that half of us will be pitted against all of Titan. But the other thing you need to know is that KGI doesn’t lose. There’s not another group of men who have more heart, determination and courage. Anywhere. We fight because we believe in what we do. Titan fights because it’s what they’re paid to do.”

The tension that had coiled and pitted in her belly loosened and gradually slid away. She reached up to touch the hard lines of his face.

“You know what I think?”

He lifted an eyebrow. “What’s that?”

“I think you’re pretty damn special yourself.”

He looked discomfited, as if he had no idea how tono

Somehow with him, she was bolder. More confident. She believed all the things he said about her. He made her believe them. He made her feel…worthy.

Nowhere in her life had she really given thought to being with a man beyond simple girlish fantasies and giggly conversations with Shea, who’d been a little more daring in her forays into sex.

Grace had been too timid. Too afraid to get close, only to be yanked up by her parents when it was time to move again. She longed for roots and a relationship but was deathly afraid to try to have one for fear it would be taken away.

Now probably wasn’t the time either, but when had she ever felt as safe as she did now? Rio didn’t just make her feel physically safe and secure. It was more than physical protection. Somehow he made her feel whole. Alive. Vibrant.

He made her feel…cherished.

She inched upward, pressing her mouth more fully over his. It was exhilarating to be the one making the moves. It was freeing after being captive for so long. She was making the decisions. She had control of her destiny. And right now, what she wanted, more than anything in the world, was to be loved by this man.

She wanted to get lost in his arms for a few hours. Hide from the world. Explore his body and let those wonderful rough hands glide over hers.

The fantasy was so vivid that she nearly moaned at the sheer pleasure coursing through her veins.

Rio pulled away, abruptly dimming some of her euphoria. His eyes blazed and his fingers were tight—painfully so—around her chin as he held her in place so their gazes were locked.

“Grace,” he said hoarsely. “This has to stop. Unless…Unless you don’t want it to. But I need you to know where this is headed. Because unless you tell me right here and now that a kiss is all you wanted, I’m taking you into my bedroom and I’m going to make love to you until neither of us can walk.”

“I want more,” she whispered.

The minute she said it, she was swamped by varying emotions. Fear. Terror. Nervousness. But also the satisfaction that she was speaking up, being courageous. Taking that chance and risking rejection.

Her whole life had been one of uncertainty and holding back. Never taking chances. Not wanting to step, for just a moment, into the sun and reach for what she wanted.

“How much more, Grace?” Rio asked, his gaze so intense that it blistered over her skin like a blowtorch.

“Everything. Anything. Whatever you can give me. Please, Rio. Don’t make me beg. This is hard enough as it is.”

He uttered what sounded like a curse under his breath and then he crushed his mouth to hers in a kiss so intense that she was consumed. His mouth took hers. It was no gentle inquiry. It was a stamp of possession. It was a promise of what was to come.

He dragged his mouth away, his chest heaving for breath. His eyes g

littered and his hand shook against her face.

“You’ll never beg. Not me. Not anyone. I’ll give you what you want, Grace. I just want to make damn sure you know what you’re getting into.”

Her lips trembled and her knees wobbled precariously. Her skin was flush with heat. Achy and alive.

“Tell me what you want,” he said in a near growl. “I want to hear you say it.”

It was quite possibly the boldest, hardest thing she’d ever done, but the words came with no hesitation. “I want you to make loveu tnto the su to me, Rio.”

CHAPTER 21

IT took every bit of restraint not to haul her over his shoulder and run toward the bedroom. The very last thing he wanted to do was scare the shit out of her.

Beg? She honestly thought she’d have to beg him to make love to her?

Hell, he hadn’t been far from being on his knees begging her to just let him touch her. Let him show her tenderness she’d long been denied.

He didn’t even know where to start, so overwhelmed was he over this beautiful, brave woman who stood before him looking as though she was afraid he was going to tell her no.

He kissed her again, just because he couldn’t resist. She was sweet and warm and so very soft. He loved the way her lips went pliant against his, like she was soaking up every bit of the moment.