His to Take (Wicked Lovers #9)(26)
Author: Shayla Black

Slowly, she lifted her head from his chest as he thrust his hands in her hair and tugged just enough so that she had nowhere to look but into his eyes. Catching her breath was suddenly hard, thinking even more difficult.

“Joaquin . . .” She wasn’t even sure what she was asking for.

He scanned her face, seeming to drink her in. His eyes went dark, hot. His grasp on her hair tightened. “Right here.”

Then he began to lower his mouth to hers.

Chapter Five

A JANGLING at the bedroom door startled Bailey. She yanked away from Joaquin just before his lips touched hers, then jerked her gaze to the knob as she dragged in a breath. The door opened and Thorpe stood in the opening, staring at the two of them. His expression told her that he knew exactly what he’d interrupted.

As heat climbed up her face, Bailey turned away, unable to look at either of them. With the spell broken and Joaquin’s solid form and musky scent not clouding her thoughts, she felt so vulnerable, stupid. Out of her element. If she wasn’t careful, she’d end up being a victim of some kind—probably of a broken heart. Joaquin was way too good at seduction.

“Sean and Callie are back. I’ve spoken with both of them. They’ll talk to you. For the record, I’d rather leave Callie out of this, but Sean wants to exchange information. I’ll show you where they are. If you’ll follow—”

“No need for that, Mitchell. We’re here,” said a feminine voice.

Mitchell. Mitchell . . . Thorpe? That name—she remembered where she’d heard it now. He was Callindra Howe’s former boss. Which meant that Callie must be . . .

Bailey whirled around to see faces she’d seen on TV at least a dozen times. Callindra entered with a welcoming smile, her dark hair streaming over her shoulders, carrying an Hermès handbag that probably cost as much as Bailey’s entire gross earnings last year. She recognized the shoes as Chanel. Coupled with a gorgeous shimmery blue blouse, bling jeans, and perfectly red lips, the heiress looked positively stunning.

Then another man sent her a sidelong glance that chastised as he stepped in front of her. “Lovely, what did we talk about before Thorpe and I let you come in here?”

Sean Mackenzie, Callindra’s fiancé. Holy cow, the former FBI agent was every bit as good-looking as he appeared on TV. But Bailey found herself truly drawn to the expression Sean sent the other woman. Somehow, that one dominant look promised both hell and hot sex—later. But under that his eyes danced with affection.

What would it be like to have any man look at her like that?

“Pet?” Thorpe drawled with a raised brow.

“You told me to stay out of the conversation until someone asked me a direct question. I didn’t say anything to her. I just smiled. The poor girl looks nervous.”

“So much for you maintaining a low profile . . .” Sean sighed.

“C-Callindra Howe?” Bailey blinked. The woman was, like, a celebrity.

“Just Callie.” She peeked around Mackenzie’s broad shoulder. Then with an impish grin, she looked Thorpe’s way.

“A minx, I tell you.” Mackenzie shook his head.

“Always,” Thorpe agreed, then sent Callie a disapproving stare. “What am I going to do with you?”

Her grin broadened as she sent him a come-hither stare. “I have ideas.”

Bailey blinked and barely kept her mouth closed. Did Mackenzie realize his fiancée was flirting with another guy, one who’d stated earlier that he had a girlfriend?

Sean turned and brushed a lingering kiss on Callie’s rosy lips, holding her close. “So do I. Now greet Thorpe, then we’ll get started.”

She kissed her groom-to-be again, then headed over to Thorpe, who welcomed her with open arms—and a scorching kiss. Bailey nearly gasped in shock.

“I have ideas, too, pet,” he muttered. “You may not like them, so be ready.”

“Mitchell, I haven’t seen you all day. I missed you,” she murmured in a pretty pout. “But Sean and I finished the last of the wedding stuff. We’re ready for Saturday.”

“No surprise party for my birthday?” The question sounded more like a threat.

Callie’s pout deepened. “I wanted to, but Sean put his foot down.”

“Excellent.” He kissed her forehead. “Now turn around. There’s someone you should meet.”

Tucking her hand in Thorpe’s, she reached for Sean’s, too. The three of them stood linked. Together. Bailey suddenly understood that Callie was in love with them both. It was all over her face. They loved her just as madly—and seemed to not only accept that fact, but to share her.