Page 48 of Rogue (Mike Bravo Ops 2)
“Good to know.”
Trav raises his hand to the small keypad next to the door, but then he pauses. “If something had happened between Domino and me, what would you care?” His lips turn up. “Would you be jealous?”
“Fuck off. No.” No. “I just wouldn’t want … whatever has happened between us in the last couple of days to get in his way. I’m selfless like that.”
Trav presses his lips together as if he’s trying not to laugh again. I get the distinct impression I’m failing at pretending sex with Trav is nothing to me.
“So selfless.” He enters a code on the keypad, and the lock disengages.
I don’t think Trav prepared me for what’s inside. The outside looks like it came straight from the sixties, but inside … It’s all modern and minimalistic but in a way that works.
The canyon can be seen from the wide windows, and the way the sun is rising, lighting up the trees with the shadows of dawn, it’s an awe-inspiring view. There are outer stairs that lead down to a deck, an infinity pool, and a hot tub that calls to me.
“It’s a gorgeous house.”
Trav comes to stand next to me, taking in what I’m seeing. “Both of my places are offended by that.”
“Please. The place you live is your base of operations. It’s not a home. It looks like it comes fresh out of an action movie. And your ‘ranch’ …” I shudder. “That disaster is a complete mystery.”
“Let’s go back to the jealousy thing before I spank you for dissing my aesthetic.”
“I’m not jealous. Jealous would imply I actually cared about you or any of your law-breaking men.”
Trav grins, and I know I’ve walked into his trap. He drops his bag by his feet, wraps his arms around my back, and pulls me against him. “I like it when I get under your skin.”
And I hate that he can read me so easily.
The thing is, I’ve always wanted him, but I’ve never been able to read him. It’s impossible to decipher his quips, his mocking and teasing, but since telling me it’s a defense mechanism, I’m starting to see through the little digs.
He’s taunting me. He wants me to react and deny it. Trav likes when I fight him until I can’t anymore, and like when I made the first move yesterday and it threw him, I’m going to do it again.
Because if I can take back any of his control, it may put us on even footing.
When I came to Trav for help, I didn’t think we’d end up here, but it’s the only thing keeping me from losing my mind over what has happened.
So I press in closer. “Are you sure you want under my skin when I could be under you instead?”
The surprise in Trav’s eyes lasts less than a second, and I’m unsure if I’ve played into his hand or thrown him off his game. He doesn’t let me know.
And maybe Trav can read that on my face. “Are you sure you want under me? You could be anywhere you want.” He kisses my neck and then moves his lips up to my jawline and murmurs, “On top.” Another kiss to my skin. “Inside me.” His lips ghost across my cheek. “I could be on my knees for you.”
Damn it. I lick my lips. “All of that sounds good.”
Trav laughs, and the warmth of it sends a bolt of arousal down my spine.
“All of it?” Trav asks.
“Hey, you gave me options. I’m going to take all of them.” I drag him through the house and lead him toward the nearest surface we can get horizontal on, which happens to be a leather couch.
I push him down on his back, and he hits the couch with a thud.
“I thought you said I could be in control next time?” Trav asks.
“Hmm, technically, I think I said I’ll flip you for it.”
“Oh. Okay.” Without missing a beat, and no fight from me, he pulls me down and does some ninja maneuver by rolling at the same time, and I end up underneath him.
“Not what I meant by flip, and you know it.”
Trav pretends to think. “Do I, though?”
“You know exactly what you’re doing.” Though I can’t say I hate it.
“I told you what you could get from me—anything you want. But I didn’t say how you were going to get it. We need to find a bedroom.”
“If my head hits a pillow, the only thing I’m going to be doing is passing out.”
“Guess I better keep you awake the best way I know how, then. Think you can refrain from making a mess? Sheets we can wash. Couch, not so much.”
“Eh. It’s leather, but if you want to be careful, we can come in each other’s mouths, and—” I don’t even get the whole sentence out before Trav’s lips are on mine. I could easily get used to his mouth and his massive body pinning me down.
