She heard the pride in his voice and she smiled.

  Then he touched her hair again, something dark working in his eyes. “And then Enzo sent us a message.”

  “It’ll grow back,” she whispered.

  A muscle worked in Smith’s jaw, and he managed a nod.

  “I’m so glad you found us. Did you catch Enzo and the others?”

  Now Smith’s face turned grim.

  Kinsey stilled, glancing around at the others. They all had similar looks on their faces.

  A chill went down her spine. “What happened?”

  “They gave us an ultimatum. The real artifact in return for you and Axel,” Lachlan said.

  Kinsey sucked in a breath, her fingers digging into Smith’s arm. “No.”

  Smith nodded. “They have the real artifact, but the most important thing is that you’re safe.”

  As he hugged her, she held on tight.

  But even Smith’s arms couldn’t obliterate the sense of impending doom.

  * * *

  Back at the Bunker, Smith opened the SUV door and helped Kinsey out.

  He slid an arm around her and then lifted her off her feet. He carried her inside.

  “I can walk,” she said.

  “No.”

  She was breathing and alive. He kept having to remind himself. She had no new injuries, but right then, he decided he was keeping her as close as he could.

  In his arms.

  “Is Tenzin okay?” she asked.

  “Yeah. Lachlan arranged for him to be dropped off at a local Buddhist temple. They’ll arrange for him to get back to L.A.”

  Smith headed into the hangar. Seth and Lachlan followed, carrying Axel on a stretcher. Blair and Callie brought up the rear. Axel had stirred a little on the drive to the Bunker. He’d said a few words, but was clearly confused. Callie was monitoring him, and once they were back at base, she’d treat his other injuries.

  Smith climbed into the X8.

  “Wait…I thought it crashed,” Kinsey said, confused.

  “This is our backup.” Arlo appeared from the cockpit, the older man looking grumpy as usual. His gaze fell on Kinsey. “Heard you got yourself kidnapped.”

  “Um…”

  “And Creed went rogue, tearing through the desert to save you.”

  “Well, that’s what he does,” she said.

  Arlo grunted. “And then you got kidnapped again.”

  “Unfortunately, yes.”

  Another grunt. “Don’t do it again.”

  “Arlo,” Smith growled.

  Kinsey shot the man a weak smile. “Believe me, it isn’t high on my To Do list.”

  Blair bumped her shoulder against the older man as she moved into the cockpit. “I’m flying now, old man.”

  Arlo growled. “I’ll show you old.”

  Callie got the stretcher settled at the back of the aircraft, strapping into a seat closest to Axel.

  Smith sat, pulling Kinsey into his lap.

  “Smith—”

  “You’re not moving.”

  She stared into his face. “I’m all right.”

  “I know. And I’ll believe it soon.”

  With a sigh, she relaxed into him. Soon, they were airborne for the short flight to Area 52.

  Once they arrived, he was damn glad to lead her inside. She’d be safe in the secure base.

  “Kinse.” Brooks rushed out to meet them, worry on his handsome face. “You had us all worried.”

  “Thanks, Brooks.”

  “All right, planning meeting,” Lachlan said. “We have an artifact to recover.”

  Kinsey’s shoulders drooped. “I’m so sorry about the artifact. If I hadn’t rushed out to help that woman—”

  “Then you wouldn’t be you.” Smith curled his hands around her shoulders. “No one is blaming you.”

  She glanced over at Axel on the stretcher. “I’m blaming me. It’s my fault he’s hurt.”

  Smith shook his head. “No. It’s the fuckers who hurt him. It’s their fault.”

  Taking her arm, Smith led her into the rec room and nudged her into a chair. She needed something to help her relax. He knew she liked tea, so he went about making her a cup.

  When he set the steaming cup down in front of her, she blinked. Then she graced him with a tiny smile.

  At that moment, Jonah strode in.

  Kinsey looked up at the director. “I’m so sorry—”

  Smith growled. He was sick of all her apologies for things that weren’t her fault.

  Jonah held up a hand, stopping her mid-sentence. “You are not to blame, Kinsey.”

  “I keep trying to tell her that,” Smith said.

  “Your job carries some risk,” Jonah said. “And I’m sorry for everything that’s happened to you.”

  She swallowed. “The artifact—?”

  Jonah’s hawkish face hardened. “We’ll get it back.”

  Brooks strode in with the rest of the team. The computer guru grabbed an energy drink from the refrigerator, his gaze on his tablet the entire time.

  “I found more info on Cosca Unita.” Brooks smiled grimly. “Found it on the dark web.”

  “What do they want?” Kinsey asked.

  “No government. They want to return to a feudal time, where the most powerful take what they want and rule their own little kingdoms.”

  Smith leaned a hip against the table. “You’re shitting me.”

  “Unfortunately, no. I’m still trying to find more info on where and how they operate.”

  Kinsey set her tea down, suddenly feeling nauseated. “They want to destroy the world, and they have a dangerous artifact.”

  “Like I said,” Jonah said. “We’ll get it back. It’s what we do.”

  “How?” Kinsey asked.

  “We’ll reach out to our contacts,” Jonah said. “Brooks will keep searching.”

  Smith knew what they weren’t saying. The best chance to find the artifact was when Cosca Unita used the damn thing.

  But Kinsey had been through enough for today. “Come on.” He gripped her shoulder. “Time for you to get some rest.”

  She nodded. “Can we check on Axel first?”

  “Anything you want, sunshine.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Kinsey had to jog a little to keep up with Smith’s long strides as he led her down the hall to his quarters. There was an intense vibe radiating off him, so she didn’t talk.

  Besides, for all his reassurances, she was still worried about Axel and the artifact. Everything that had happened continued to ricochet around in her head.

  Axel had woken when they’d visited him in the infirmary. Callie had patched him up and just as they were about to leave, Natalie had arrived. The normally impeccably dressed and groomed archeologist had looked disheveled and panicked. Her black hair had been loose and her gorgeous face pinched with stress.

  Kinsey had seen the fear in the woman’s eyes before she’d hidden it. She’d then started bossing Axel about getting some rest, and the man had rallied enough to snap unhappily at her. Smith and Kinsey had left the pair sniping at each other.

  Smith stopped and opened a door. “Come on in.”

  She ducked in and headed straight for the bathroom. When she looked in the mirror and she saw her hair, she winced. She’d loved her hair. It was the one thing even her mama had commented on and said was beautiful.

  Kinsey pulled in a breath. It wasn’t too bad, but it definitely needed a cut to tidy it up. She bit her lip and reminded herself yet again that it would grow back.

  Smith stepped in front of her, cutting off her view, and started unbuttoning her shirt. Methodically, like a man on a mission, he stripped her clothes off.

  She swallowed. He was staring at her, watching every part of her that he uncovered. When she looked up into his face, she saw that his eyes were alive with emotion.

  Kinsey found it hard to breathe.

  “Smith?”

  He turned away, switching on the shower. Once the steam was rising, he nudged her inside. As soon as the warm water hit her, she closed her eyes and swallowed a moan. It felt so good.

  She heard the rustling of clothes and opened her eyes. Through the glass, she saw Smith stripping off his own gear.

  Her heart stuttered. God.

  He was big. So big. That broad chest she’d admired so many times with its smattering of dark hair. Heavy abs that her fingers itched to explore. She wanted to touch every dip and ridge.

  Then he unfastened his trousers and kicked them off.

  Oh. Wow.

  He had long, solid legs with muscular thighs. And a long, heavy cock.

  He was beautiful. Pure beauty in a masculine, powerful way.

  Pulling the door open, he stepped into the shower. As soon as he was inside, it made the space feel tiny. He towered over Kinsey and her body tingled—she was so very aware of him. Reaching behind her, he grabbed the shower gel and squeezed some onto his palms. Then he cupped her shoulders and started soaping her skin.

  “Done denying what we both want, Kinsey.”

  A shiver moved through her. Finally.

  “You’re mine now. Not letting you get away.”

  A crisp, pine scent filled the air. Oh, God. Smith’s hands were big and rough. As they moved over her, slicking down her shoulders and arms, she felt the tantalizing calluses on his fingers. His hands moved down her back, and then to the front again, to cup her breasts.

  “So fucking gorgeous.” His voice was a deep growl.

  Smith spun her around so her back was pressed tight to his front. Those hands kept moving over her breasts, his fingers tugging on her nipples.

  Drowning in sensation, Kinsey bit her lip. She felt his heavy cock nudging her lower back, and couldn’t control the small shimmy of her body.

  His hands moved down, splaying over her belly. Then, before she could process what he had planned, he spun her again, pushing her back a couple of steps until her shoulder blades hit cool tile.

  He dropped to his knees and she sucked in a breath. His hands skimmed down her legs.

  Then they paused at her ankles and he looked up at her. His wet hair was slicked back against his head. “You want this, Kinsey? You want me?”

  She nodded.

  “Tell me.” His hands moved up over her calves, to her knees. “You want my mouth on you, and then after, my cock inside you?”

  “Yes.” She didn’t even need to think.

  His hands kneaded her thighs, sending sparks of sensation through her. Then he pushed them apart and his fingers stroked between her legs.

  She jerked. “Smith—”

  “Just relax, Kinsey. I’m going to take care of you.”

  Those words arrowed into her heart.

  He stroked her, his hands soapy and slippery. His thumb brushed her clit and she bucked.

  “So responsive,” he said. “I love it.”

  Then one thick finger slid inside her, followed by another. He lowered his head, his mouth joining the sensations.

  So much. Too much. Not enough.

  He worked those fingers inside her without mercy, and his tongue caressed her clit. Her cries echoed off the tiles.

  She grabbed his hair. “Smith.”

  “Come, sunshine. I feel your body tightening around my fingers. Let go.”

  She did, her head flying back, pleasure washing over her like the spill of the water. “Oh, God, oh, God, oh, God…Smith.”

  When her legs buckled, he caught her. He pulled her against his hot body, and then urged her under the spray. She felt him grab something, and then his hands were in her hair. He massaged her scalp, working the shampoo into her now shorter hair.

  She felt his fingers slow in their movements, running through the short strands. She knew he was studying it and she felt something very unhappy throbbing off him.

  Her throat tightened. “Does it look that terrible?”

  “Not at all. I just hate knowing this was done to you, without your permission.”

  “It’ll grow back, Smith.”

  He grunted, and his fingers started working the shampoo again. Then he rinsed her off and cut the water. He scooped her up, carrying her out of the shower like she was precious.

  Setting her down on the mat, he took his time toweling her off. That meant she got to study his big, very naked body.

  God, that body of his. She wanted it so badly.

  Despite her amazing orgasm in the shower, desire ignited. With every stroke of the towel, and every flex of his muscles, need thrummed through her. And she was pretty sure he was going to tuck her up in bed and tell her to rest.

  He wrapped the towel around her, then grabbed a second one off the rack. She watched him swipe it over his chest. He wrapped it around his waist, and then spun her to face the door. They exited the bathroom, and soon were standing right next to his bunk.

  “Kinsey, you should—”

  Screw this. She knew what she needed. She spun, colliding with his body. She shoved him.

  Clearly, she’d caught him by surprise, because the back of his knees hit the bed and he went down. She tumbled on top of him.

  * * *

  Surprised for a second, Smith looked up at Kinsey. She was stronger than he’d guessed.

  Then her towel slipped and his thoughts flew away. He stared at the pretty pink breasts right in front of him.

  “I need you, Smith.”

  He was trying to take care of her, dammit. “Kinsey—”

  She shook her head, gripped her towel, and tossed it away. She moved, settling her slim legs so that she straddled his body. He felt the damp warmth between her thighs rub against his belly.

  He groaned. Fuck, he’d never seen anything prettier or sexier.

  He pulled himself together enough to find his voice. “You should r—”

  “If you say rest…” she growled the words “…I’ll…”

  As her voice petered out, he raised a brow. “You’ll what?”

  She lifted her chin, pressing her palms to his chest. “I don’t know. All I know is that people keep kidnapping me, and this time, I’m taking what I want.” She thumped a fist against her chest and her breasts jiggled.

  Smith’s gaze went to those nipples. Shit. He wanted his mouth on her, her husky cries echoing in his ears. He wanted to slide his throbbing cock in her warmth.

  “What do you want, Kinsey?” he murmured.

  She licked her lips. “You. It’s always been you.”

  His control, already worn thin by months of denial and by her being in danger, snapped.

  Smith sat up, taking her mouth with his. She moaned—the kiss deep and eager.

  No games from Kinsey. She wanted him and she showed it. Her nails bit into his shoulders, her body rocking against him.

  Then her hands moved over his chest, down to his abs. She pulled back a little, watching the path of her hands.

  Fuck. There was raw desire on her face. He’d had women hungry for his body before, but the look on Kinsey’s face—it was wonder, awe.

  “I love your body, Smith,” she murmured. “So big, so strong.”

  Her hands stroked lower, and she shifted to the side. Her hands skated around where he wanted them most, her nails raking over his thighs.

  When her fingers brushed where his prosthetic met skin, he stilled. Women had all kinds of reactions to it—morbid curiosity, revulsion, and some just studiously ignored it. Kinsey did none of those things. Her fingers touched the cool metal.

  “Does it hurt?”

  Of course, Kinsey thought of him, not herself. “No.”

  “Ty is a genius.” She smiled. “Don’t tell him, though. The man doesn’t need his ego stroked.” Her hands slid upward and this time, she shifted to straddle Smith’s thighs.

  That was it. Kinsey just saw it as a part of him, like everything else. A second later, her hands closed around his cock, and his thoughts scattered.

  Smith groaned, his hips jerking upward.

  “I want you inside me,” she breathed.

  “So take me.” He reached out an arm to the nightstand beside the bed. A second later, he handed her the small, foil package.

  This was for her. Her choice.

  Her eyes lit and she took it eagerly. She tore it open and quickly rolled the condom on him. Smith smothered a groan. Then she rose, lifting her hips. Their gazes connected as she sank down, taking his cock inside her.

  “Oh.” Her eyes widened.

  “Relax.” He knew he was a big guy. “You can take me.”

  She took her time, sinking down and taking him steadily inside her. She bit her lip, her hands digging into his shoulders

  Finally, he was lodged deep inside her. To the hilt inside Kinsey.

  Then she went wild.

  She started riding him, rising and falling. “So good.”

  Damn, she was right. It was so fucking good. She was warm, wet, and tight. Pure heaven.

  She rose and fell, her pace fast and needy. Smith gripped her hips, helping her on.

  She felt so damn good. And watching her face, as she was so lost in fucking him, was pure torture. She was riding his cock and finding her pleasure.

  “Smith!”

  She came alive for him and he couldn’t look away. Pure beauty and sunshine. That was his Kinsey.

  He slid one hand down to cup her ass, digging in and helping her move. She made the sexiest little sounds he’d ever heard. He felt the muscles at the base of his spine tightening, and knew his own release was coming in fast.

  But he needed her to come again first.

  Smith slid his other hand between their bodies, touching where she was stretched around him. She bucked wildly.

  “Oh!”

  “Love this, sunshine.” He stroked again. “Us, connected.”

  She ground down harder on him with a husky mewl.

  “Get there.” He found her clit and rolled it.

  Kinsey detonated, crying out his name. Her body shook, her inner muscles clamping down on his cock.

  Smith reared up and flipped over, slamming her onto the bed on her back.

  He hammered inside her, need riding him hard.

  He needed her. Wanted to fucking absorb her until there was nothing between them, no space between Smith and Kinsey.

  Her orgasm shuddered through her, and Smith thrust again, deep, coming hard. His orgasm hit him in a blinding rush.