“And what about you? You don’t think you need someone?”

“I’m tough.”

“We should talk about what’s really going on,” I say.

Mark tilts my face and subtly shakes his head. “Not tonight. I need you to let me take it.”

I can’t answer right away. Part of me is stunned, while the other part of me is scared. I have a feeling Mark needs me to take it away from him, not the other way. He’s being hunted, and I’m sure he knows it. This kiss will change everything between us, though. It isn’t an act. It isn’t part of a mission. This will be just Mark and Charlie. It’s me giving him an opening that I’m not sure I should. But when I look in his emerald eyes, all I want to do is say yes.

My fingers rise and touch his face. “Take it tonight, but if you hurt me . . . I’ll kill you.”

Mark smirks and tightens his hold as he slowly draws my mouth to his. When we finally touch, I explode. Our lips mold to each other’s as passion erupts. It’s weeks of toying around the edges of desire. It’s months of wondering what this would feel like. It’s a year since I laid eyes on him and believed this could never happen, but it is. He takes, and takes some more. But really . . . I’m giving it up. I free myself of anything but him.

His hands drop, and he grips my ass to pull me tight against him. The lust that has lingered is now in full force. I’m surprised we’ve lasted this long. Mark’s tongue pushes against mine. When he moans, I surrender.

My hands tear at his shirt and rip it off. We break the kiss so I can remove it, and I toss it across the room before we both come back for more. I don’t ever want to stop. I know this is reckless, but I’m completely at his will. My fingers descend against his skin, feeling every ridge and valley of his chest. There’s not an ounce of fat anywhere. His hand glides up my back as he unhooks my bra then slowly pulls the straps off. Mark steps back and we both devour each other with our eyes. My breath halts for a moment as I get to admire how absolutely perfect he is. His arms are covered in color, his muscles are defined, and his waist tapers in, leaving a very delicious V. What stops me are the tattoos that he’s covered in. Each one is intricate and beautiful. His right arm has Poseidon emerging from the water. Around it are vessels as it climbs higher. On his left arm, he’s covered in tribal ink surrounding a frog skeleton that I’ve come to know means he’s lost a SEAL brother on a mission.

My eyes travel up his chest until I reach his eyes. I’ve never been self-conscious, but right now, I’m filled with nerves as his intensity rivals mine. Feeling awkward, I raise my arm to cover myself, but Mark stops me. “Don’t even think about it. I want to see every inch of you. You’re fucking stunning.”

I don’t reply. I close the gap between us, pull his head toward me, and kiss him with everything I have.

His hands glide down my back and he grips my thighs. The feel of his rough hands on my skin causes me to burn. He lifts me and wraps my legs around his waist. I feel him walk forward but I keep my mouth fused to his, enjoying the way his kiss tastes.

Mark holds me effortlessly before he lays me on the bed. He hovers above me, again giving me a way out. I won’t take it. There’s no way in hell I’m stopping this. I want to forget everything that’s happened. I want a moment, and as much as he’s giving it to me . . . I’m taking it. “Take it, Mark.”

“There’s no going back, Charlie. Be warned, I’m going to fuck you so hard you’ll never think of another man. I’m going to take everything and you’re going to give it to me.”

“What makes you think I’m not taking something?”

“Oh, I don’t doubt you’re taking something.” He rises up on his knees and unbuckles his belt. I watch as he unbuttons his pants with a gleam in his eyes. I wait, growing wet as he takes his time. “You’re going to take it all. Every inch of you will be filled. I’m going to ruin you, princess.”

“Why are you still talking and not naked?” I taunt him.

He smirks as he removes his pants. The only thing between us is our underwear. As if he can read my thoughts, he looks down to where I’m still covered. His lips twitch as he touches his mouth lightly against my ear. “First, I’m going to fuck you with my mouth.”

His tongue glides down my neck, leaving a hot trail as I squirm beneath him. The feather-light touches of his lips, then the heat-searing feel of his breath against my skin sends me into overdrive. I moan when he reaches my breast. His lips wrap around my nipple and he pulls it into his mouth. “Holy shit,” I cry out. Mark licks and sucks as I writhe in pleasure.

Mark tortures me in the best way as he moves to the other side to repeat the same motions. His hand moves lower and slips into my panties. Slowly he presses his finger lower. “Not sure you’re ready yet,” he muses as I clearly am. His finger explores me, applying pressure against my clit before he removes it. I nearly sob. I need more.

“Why are you trying to kill me?” I ask as he does it again.

He sits back up and removes his hand from where I need it most. Ever so slowly, he moves to my hips, and the Neanderthal tears my underwear off. I start to protest but his gaze stops me. His eyes appraise me. “Because I’ve had to suffer.” His voice is thick with want. “I’ve had to imagine this. Now, I’m going to drown myself in you. Be ready, this is going to be a long fucking night.”

I lean on my forearms and stare him down. “Good. Now shut up and put your money where your mouth is.”

Mark’s hands push against the backs of my legs and thrust me up on the bed. I gasp at the sudden move, but before I can say a word, his mouth is against my pussy. He doesn’t tease me or make me wait. He devours me. “Oh, my God!” My eyes close as he licks and circles my clit. It’s been too long since I’ve had someone go down on me. I almost forgot the amount of pleasure that comes with it. Mark is playing my body like I’m his own instrument.

The pleasure builds, and I could explode at any second. He hooks his hands under my legs to pull me closer to him. His tongue pushes, circles, and swirls, drawing me near the edge. When his tongue enters me, I detonate. My toes curl while everything around me flashes. It goes on and on. He’s relentless and I can’t breathe. I can’t think. It’s too much. I fall further than I’ve ever fallen before. I lie there trying to remember my name.

When I open my eyes, he’s above me. My hand snakes around his neck, and I pull him closer. He kisses me like he owns me. I flip him on his back; I need to drive him wild.

“No,” he protests.

I straddle him before he can say anything more and place my hand on his chest. “I need this, too.”

“Tonight is about you.”

“It’s about us. Don’t deny me.”

Mark’s hand cups my neck, pulling me so we’re nose to nose. “I’ll never deny you. You’ve got me all turned out, and for some reason, I can’t say no to you.”

I briefly press my lips against his. “I feel the same.” I want to reiterate that this is a one-time thing. That once we get back, I have a feeling things will change for him. There’s so much going on that I don’t think he’s fully accepted.