She was completely done for, and she knew it. Her body was too revved up to stop him now. All she wanted was a taste of this man.
She turned her head to capture his lips an instant before he lowered his left hand down over her stomach.
Syd ached with expectation as he teased and tormented her with an excruciatingly slow path toward the part of her that was craving his touch. And when he finally cupped her between her legs, it was all she could do not to cry out in relief.
Steele knew what he was doing was completely inappropriate. Hell, he'd never done anything like this before. Someone could come upon them any second, and that knowledge only added excitement to the moment.
His breathing ragged, he moved his hand up enough so that he could sink it beneath her pink satin panties. She trembled in his arms as he brushed his hand through the short, crisp hairs until he could touch the most sensitive part of her.
He drew a sharp breath between his teeth as he felt how wet she was. Oh yeah, this was what he wanted. Pulling back, he watched her face in the mirror in front of them as he sank two fingers deep inside her.
Her grip tightened in his hair as she spread her legs wider for him. His heart raced wildly while she bit her lip seductively and slowly rode his fingers. He loved it when she did that. She wasn't coy or embarrassed. She was a woman who knew what she wanted.
He rubbed his swollen groin against her hip. "I want inside you so badly I can taste it, Syd," he whispered against her ear. But he knew that he couldn't. They didn't have a condom.
So instead he pacified himself with pleasuring her.
Syd couldn't think straight with Steele's hands and lips on her body. All she could do was watch him in the mirrors as he worked magic. Those fingers stroked and pleased until she couldn't stand it anymore.
She had to force herself not to scream as her orgasm claimed her. Steele captured her lips with his while her body spasmed. Still he didn't pull back. He tormented her until every last tremor had been milked from her body. It was only after she collapsed against him that he pulled his hand away.
He smiled tenderly as he cupped her with his hand. "Now that's what I like to see...my Syd well sated and purring."
His Syd. Those words should make her angry, but instead there was a strange sense of pleasure inside her. And in truth she was purring. How could she not be?
But then turnabout was fair play....
Licking her lips, she turned around to face him.
Steele had a moment of panic as he saw the determined look in her eyes. That feeling only heightened as she reached for his fly.
"What are you--"
She interrupted his words with a scorching kiss before she unzipped his pants and pushed them down enough that his hardened cock was free. Steele growled deep in his throat as she cupped him in her hand.
She pushed him back against the chair. He stumbled, then landed on it. Before he could recover, Syd pulled his pants down even more on his legs. Licking her lips, she eyed his cock with a seductive intent that had him hotter than he'd ever been before.
He didn't dare breathe as she spread his thighs wide and placed her body between his knees. He'd never seen anything sexier than that in his life.
She yanked his shirt up high on his chest, then ran her hands over him, teasing him. Her breath fell against his erection as she dipped her head to tease his nipple with her tongue.
He could swear he saw stars as intense pleasure went through him.
Syd wanted to laugh in triumph at the sexiness of Steele at her mercy. She inhaled the musky scent of him as she trailed her lips down his chest toward his navel.
He arched his back as he watched her carefully.
She glanced up at him and reveled in the look of pleasure on his face. He was always so kind, so careful to make sure she had her pleasure first. He really was a gentleman--in every sense of the word.
Wanting to make him happy too, she smiled at him an instant before she lowered her head and took him into her mouth. Syd moaned at the salty taste of him as she gently teased him with her tongue.
Steele sank his hand into her hair as he watched her in the mirror. He could see every nuance of her pleasuring him. She was naked except for the panties that he hadn't removed.
Why hadn't he removed those?
Even so, it was the most incredible moment of his life. Nothing had ever felt better than her mouth on him. Her hand massaged his sac as her tongue worked magic on his body.
And when he came, he ground his teeth to keep from making a sound. But it was hard...damn hard.
Syd didn't pull away as he shuddered around her. Instead, she took her time, making sure to give him just as much satisfaction as he had given her.
When she finally pulled back, the little smile on his face warmed her completely.
She licked the taste of him from her lips as an awful jealous thought sought to ruin this. Steele's earlier words came back to haunt her with a vengeance.
Steele frowned at her as if he sensed her sudden mood change. "What?"
Don't say it.... But it was out before she could stop it. "Am I better than your fiancee was?"
He looked a bit dazed. "Huh?"
She pulled back. "I know it was stupid. I was just wondering how I rated. Never mind. Forget it."
As she stared to move back, he stopped her. Those dark eyes scorched her with sincere heat. "Baby, you're the best I've ever had."
Those words thrilled her. "Thank you, Josh."
He inclined his head to her an instant before he kissed her. He pulled back with a grin. "Of course, I might have to have another go-round just to make sure that I was right."
She shook her head at him. "You are so bad."
"Yeah, but you love that about me."
And in that moment, she realized something. He was right. She did love that about him.
They didn't say much that night as they prepared for the president's arrival. They checked and double-checked every bit of data, and the more they looked at it, the more she was convinced that Steele was right about who the real target was.
How could they have mistaken the fact that the contract was for the son and not the father?
But the recriminations died as the afternoon of the party arrived.
They arrived as a couple to find Andre already in place as an agent. Steele looked impeccable in his black suit with a red silk tie, while she wore a simple black dress with pearls and conservative heels...just in case she needed to run after someone.
"Remember," Syd said in Steele's ear as she straightened his tie. "They're from Uhbukistan, not Ooga-Booga Land."
"King Oompa-Loompa, gotcha."
She rolled her eyes at him before she stepped back. Neither the president nor his son were there yet.
Where could they be?
"President's in the study with his son," Carlos said in a very low tone as he came up behind her with a tray of wineglasses. "Kid didn't look happy to be there."
"I wonder if he found out," Syd said without moving her lips as she reached for a glass.
Steele cleared his throat. "Can Andre get in to check on them?"
"No," Carlos said under his breath before he moved on.
Steele let out a sigh. "Well, that ended that idea." He glanced toward the door that separated the banquet area from the offices, then handed Syd his wineglass. "I feel a sudden need to get lost."
Syd wanted to follow after him, but she knew better. She was already garnering way too much attention as heads came together trying to figure out if she was Angelina Jolie or not--and that was with her hair down. If it wasn't for the fact that she might have to run and shoot, she would've worn her glasses.
Honestly, she felt like having the words Not Angelina tattooed on her forehead. But that would only make her stand out more.
So instead of joining him, she stayed back and tried to be inconspicuous as he wandered over to the double doors of the president's office.
Steele walked into the room witho
ut preamble. The president, his son, and the guards all looked up at him.
"I take it this isn't the restroom," Steele said jovially. "My apologies, gentlemen."
The son was a short man with dark brown hair and a smarmy look to him. Eurotrash. He'd always hated that term, but it was strangely fitting for this man.
"I feel the need to go relieve myself too," he said with a sneer to his father. "Follow me, American, and I will show you the way."
Steele didn't miss the way the president's eyes narrowed on the much younger man. Oh, yeah, no love lost between those two, even though they both shared the same hawkish features.
The son pressed past him and didn't look back as he jerked open the door to the hallway.
Steele excused himself from the president before he followed after him. The son was mumbling in Uhbukistani as he led the way down a narrow hallway toward the bathroom.
"Tell me, American, you have a father?"
"Haven't met anyone yet who didn't."
The younger man laughed. "I like that. I shall have to remember it." He sobered. "Do you like your father?"
This was a little too personal for strangers, and it made Steele damn uncomfortable. "He's all right."
"All right...pricca. You are lucky, American. My father...I have tried to please him, and all he can see are my faults. He thinks the worst of me no matter what I do or say. I give up."
Steele decided to be a little bolder with the conversation. "Well, you know how fathers can be. They want their sons to walk in their footsteps."
"And I have tried repeatedly. But some things, I just can't agree on."
"Such as?"
"His weapons policies. I am hoping that your president will help him understand why it is our country needs to disarm the old Soviet weapons. They are nothing but a magnet to other countries who wish to steal them or buy them so that they can use them against their neighbors. The last thing I want to see is a nuclear bomb detonated in my backyard or anyone else's. I don't know about you, but bullies sicken me."
Steele nodded as he realized just how wrong Syd's information was. This kid had been set up, and the poor bastard didn't even realize it.
This wasn't a man who wanted to sell nukes. This was a man who had his head on straight.
He sighed heavily before he extended his hand out to Steele. "I am Viktor, by the way."
Steele shook his proffered hand. "J.D."
"Nice to meet you, Jaydee. Come. The bathroom is over here." Steele followed him into the room as he kept watch for anything odd...like his father kicking in the door to gun them down. Or something a little more subtle, such as his father entering the room and knifing Viktor in the ribs.
But nothing was setting off his alarms.
They went about their business and didn't speak again until they were leaving the room.
Viktor hesitated in the doorway as he made a little noise of excitement. "Is that the actress who is Lara Croft? You know, Angelina Jolie?"
Steele watched as Syd chatted with a group of women while her gaze casually but thoroughly kept tabs on the other people in the room.
"No. That's my woman," he said, grateful Syd couldn't hear him. No doubt it would piss her off. But honestly, he would love nothing more than to be able to really lay claim to her.
"You're a lucky man, Jaydee," Viktor said before he excused himself and headed off for a small group in the center of the room.
Yes, I am. In more ways than one.
Syd sidled up to him and returned his drink to him. "Learn anything?"
"The kid doesn't want to sell the weapons."
Syd actually choked on her wine. "What?"
"You heard me. I'm beginning to seriously doubt your intelligence, Syd."
"Thank you," she snapped in an angry tone.
Steele cringed as he realized what had just leapt out of his mouth. "I meant your reports, not your brains."
"Uh-huh. Sure you did." But he could hear the amusement in her tone.
She moved to the other side of him. "Any sign of your father?" she asked behind her wineglass before she took a sip.
"Nada." And that concerned him. Where could the old man be? There wasn't really any place for him to set up the shot, which meant he'd have to be in the building somewhere.
But where?
Steele had started to turn around when someone bumped into his injured arm and sent the wine sloshing onto his clothes. He bit back a curse as the Greek ambassador apologized to him.
He glanced over to Syd as his arm burned as if it were on fire. "I have to go back to the bathroom. I'll be right back."
She inclined her head to him. "I'll keep an eye on our guy."
Syd didn't move as Steele wandered off. She watched as Viktor made his way around the room, from small group to small group. He seemed rather personable for a terrorist.
Maybe her intelligence was off.
She rolled her eyes at the bad pun. As Viktor drew near another group, a tall blond woman walked in. Syd felt an instant dislike for the thin, gorgeous creature, who oozed sophistication. She glanced down at her black dress and felt completely hideous in comparison.
What was it with women like the blonde who always made her feel so damn inadequate?
Suddenly, she was glad Steele wasn't here to see this. If he gaped at that woman, she'd have to hurt him.
The blonde took a glass from Carlos before she made her way straight toward Viktor, who had his back to her.
Every male eye in the place followed the woman as she paused behind him and tapped him on his shoulder.
Viktor's eyes widened the instant he turned and saw the stunning creature who had disturbed him. The woman extended her hand and whispered something in his ear that caused him to smile and laugh.
Syd took a deep draught of her wine as she tried not to be ill at the sight of them.
Refusing to watch the mating ritual of the posh and loaded, she glanced around the room for signs of Steele's father.
Steele rubbed at the wine stain on his pants. Of all the times for such a thing to happen, this wasn't it. He let out a disgusted breath as he tossed the towel into the garbage can. He couldn't spend any more time on this.
Still pissed, he left the bathroom and headed back to the party.
He saw Syd the instant he returned. She was a hard one to miss, especially since the sight of her always warmed him. But as he glanced around the room, he didn't see Viktor.
He crossed the room to Syd's side. "Where's our guy?"
She pointed to a corner with her thumb. "Making time with Cameron Diaz over there."
Steele started to give the man kudos until he realized something.
He knew that woman.
Syd frowned as she saw the color fade from Steele's face an instant before he made his way straight toward the tall blond woman.
What the hell was that?
But at least it wasn't attraction. She knew exactly what Steele looked like when something turned him on.
Curious as to what had caused him to look sick to his stomach, she followed after him. As he drew near, the blonde looked up. Her face paled just the same way as Steele's had an instant before she looked about as if she'd been caught in the middle of...well, what they'd done yesterday in the dressing room.
The woman rushed for the hallway.
Steele ran after her, with Syd right on his heels. Once they were out of the reception room, Steele stopped in the hall and glared after the woman.
"Tina!" Steele barked in the most commanding tone she'd ever heard. "Don't you dare run from me."
Tina? The name went through Syd like a knife. Tina as in sister Tina?
The woman paused before she turned back toward them. "What are you doing here, J.D.? You're supposed to be in jail."
"And you're supposed to be at UVA in class." He moved to stand just in front of her.
Tina shrugged as if she were trying to pull off nonchalance, but it wasn't working. The girl was nervous. Too nervous. "I was i
nvited to a party. But that doesn't explain how you got here. I thought you were on the run."
Suddenly they heard shouts from the reception area. Someone was calling for an ambulance.
Steele was torn as he heard the panicked cries from the reception area. Damn it! It was a hell of a time for his father to make his...
He looked back at Tina as a really bad feeling came over him. She was edging toward the door.
"Oh, God, no," he breathed. "Tina, please tell me you didn't do it?"
Her face blanched again as she ran for the door.
Steele bolted after her. He grabbed her before she could make her exit, and her purse slammed into his arm. Snatching it from her, he opened it to find a small empty glass tube snuggled in with her lipstick, wallet, and compact.
Tina shoved him away and tried to run again, but he caught her.
"Don't make me hurt you, Tina."
Her hazel eyes were filled with panic. "I won't go to jail, J.D. I won't."
Syd swallowed as she realized what was happening. "She's the assassin APS sent?"
Steele nodded as he stared into the face not of a woman, but of the girl he'd spent so much of his life adoring and protecting. Tina had always meant the world to him. "Why, peanut? Why would you do this?"
Anger darkened her eyes as she stared up at him. "Why do you think? I wanted to join the Army like you did, like Dad did. But they wouldn't take me as anything more than a clerk or a truck driver. Daddy trained me just as he trained you, and I'm every bit as good at this as you are."
Her eyes narrowed on him. "Even better, in fact. It wasn't fair that you got to be a sniper while I was relegated to some office somewhere, doing paperwork. I was born to do this."
"Apparently not," Syd said snidely, "since you got busted."
She cut a nasty look at Steele. "It must run in our family."
Steele's face was stoic as he handed the vial to Syd. He was torn between wanting to spank Tina and wanting to protect her from what she'd done. "I don't know what's wrong with Viktor, but my money says this is what's causing him to be sick. Get it to the medics."
"What about Tina?"
He didn't know how to answer that. She was his sister, and she'd done something so wrong that he wasn't even sure if he should protect her. What was the right thing to do?