Page 122 of Parting Shot

“Of course.”

“So, that guy Goran, you know all about him?”

“Yes.”

“You know who he fucks?”

“Names and dates, yes.”

I was impressed, and Aaron could see it on my face. “I’m sorry you stopped a business deal because of me.”

“No,” he said, smiling. “I’m glad you discovered the man was a snake. Imagine if I had made the mistake of going into business with him. Then any one of his indiscretions might have tarnished my reputation. But now I’m free of him, thanks to you.”

“Okay, so what do you think Clay Wells is going to do now?”

He thought for a moment. “If I were him, I would try to find some leverage to get us to open the door.”

“Like?”

“Like holding a gun on someone you love and threatening to shoot them if we don’t open up.”

“Yeah, that won’t work,” I replied, yawning and rubbing my eyes. “Everyone I love is already in here with me.”

Clay Wells would be wasting valuable time, looking into my background, only to find an estranged father, stepmother, and half sisters who weren’t sure what city I lived in.

I was thinking I should get up and give Aaron a chance to rest. The concrete floor, covered by the thin tarp, wasn’t much, but he had to be exhausted.

“Hey,” I said, looking up to make the offer that we switch places, only to find him sitting there, frozen, staring at me. “What’s wrong?”

“Do you know your voice changes when you speak to me?”

“What do you mean?” I wasn’t sure what his point was.

“I mean, it’s different, just the sound.”

“Does it?”

“Yes. So I always know when you’re speaking to me.”

I watched him as he stood up and then sank to his knees beside me.

“You don’t even know what you said, but even if the words had been lost on me, I would have heard the tone.”

It took a second, and then it hit me.

Everyone I love is already in here with me.

Way to fuck up the declaration. “Shit, Aaron, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to⁠—”

But he cut me off when he rolled forward, took my face in his hands, and kissed me. He led with his heart, and I felt it as his mouth claimed mine, as his tongue pressed inside, as his hand cupped the back of my head to keep me still.

He made love to my mouth, coaxing, sucking, his other hand lifting to my throat, curling gently over my Adam’s apple. The pressure was slight, but like his hand in my hair, it was immobilizing. He wanted me there, under his power, his mouth sealed to mine, making me his with every kiss, halting breath, whimper, and moan.

God, I loved him, and when I couldn’t breathe, I tore free so I could.

“I love you,” I said, and it wasn’t half as terrifying as I’d figured it would be.

“I know.” He smiled, lips hovering over mine. “And I love you back, Duncan Stiel, and we’re going to live happily ever after.”