Andros's lip curled. “No, I’m not an operative, but you know that from the blue anklet, don’t you? I’m what I told you I was—a geek. I do research. I told you that too. But you didn’t tell me what you did, did you? You didn’t even tell me your real name.” The sneer returned. “I always knew my character assessment wasn’t very good. You proved that spectacularly. You didn’t need to fuck me to get the ankle bracelet, though. You could have just drugged me. Are you a nympho, or is it the act of deception that makes you cream your pants?”
The deliberate crudities made her flinch.
“What’s wrong? Can’t face the truth? That’s what you did, after all.”
Keeping her gaze snared in his, he moved around the table to stand before her. She had to fight hard not to give way and take a step back. In a low, intimate voice even more menacing than his usual tone, he added, “Come on, Cara—or can I use your real name now? Tell me the truth, Faye. Either way, I’m taking you in. You get to share in the trouble I’m in.”
She shook her head. “I don’t want any of that.”
“Pity. Because you’re coming in anyway.” Tension thrummed in the air, a palpable force.
Harken had warned her to expect them to come for her, and she had no way of avoiding them taking her in. The only thing she could do was to block her mind from intrusions and keep blocking. At least she’d learned how to do that well. But if a Sorcerer examined her, she’d have no chance. But she’d try. Keep fighting. “Do you believe that all Talents should be outed?”
He frowned in what looked like disbelief. “Why? What does that have to do with anything?”
“Well, do you?”
“Of course not. It should be their choice. Now answer my question.”
“STORM wants to do that.”
How dare he laugh? But he did, full-throated and genuine-sounding. “Who the fuck told you that?”
Her lips firmed. How sad that he was so under STORM’s thumb. “I’ve seen memos, directives. You’re probably not high up enough to see them.”
He raised a brow. “How would you know what level I’m at?”
She indicated the ankle bracelet, lying until now disregarded on the table. “That does.”
He snagged the bracelet and shoved it into his pocket. “Yeah. But I do research, sweetness. Security levels can be quite high for research staff. You’re misinformed again.” Although he didn’t move, his mind twitched and tugged at the hook he’d embedded deep in hers. But she blocked him around it. She still wouldn’t give him access to her inner thoughts. It took more effort than she thought, although he wasn’t pressing her for more.
“Listen, Faye. You’re misinformed, to say the least. We’re close supporters of Senator Gianetti, and he wants the same freedoms for Talents as the rest of humanity enjoy. All we want is to contain Talents who break the law and to prevent illegal organizations from attacking and using Talents.”
She stared at him and suddenly, shockingly, he opened his mind wider. She tumbled in, too astonished to back off, to wonder if he was trying to track her. He’d let her in deep enough to give her access to his truth center. She could tell if he was lying.
“See anything wrong?” he asked.
She couldn’t deny that he believed what he told her. And she felt sorry for him, sorry he’d let them draw him in. “They lied to you. They want the registration.” Even to her own ears, she sounded unsure. And his physical presence overwhelmed her. She breathed in his scent, wanted to tilt back her head and draw in a great, cleansing breath.
He leaned closer. “Still don’t believe me? How about the truth in this?”
She sensed his desire and she couldn’t do anything other than meet his lips when he curled one arm around her waist and pulled her closer. It felt scarily like coming home. Her mouth melded with his and need filled her.
The kiss turned fierce, fueled by their tension and his presence in her mind. She pushed, he retained his hold and she couldn’t feel any effort in him. He brought one hand to the back of her head, threading his fingers through her hair, dislodging the clip. It fell with a click somewhere on the floor. Unheeding, she moved closer, pressed her body against his, felt his arousal pressing against the zipper of his jeans.
This was truth. Need surged up, roared over her mind, her senses and her reason. She wanted him so badly.
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