Aegis 01 - First Exposure Read Online Free PDF Page A

going to get us the furthest without drawing attention, but if couple three is your goal, then by all means, go right ahead and jerk out of my touch. That’ll send a clear signal to anyone around that we’re the ones to avoid.”
    He let go of her chair and rose to his full height. Avery’s pulse raced as she stared up into his familiar face and hard, dark eyes. A mixture of emotions raced through her. Fear. Frustration. Arousal. But in the silence between them, she also realized he was trying to intimidate her. Why, she wasn’t sure. Maybe to keep her safe. Maybe to keep her close when they reached the resort so she wouldn’t wander and go looking for Melody on her own. Most likely, though, he was trying to make sure she did things his way and followed his rules. And for reasons she wasn’t about to examine just yet, that sent every independent urge she had straight to the forefront.
    Slowly, she pushed out of her seat. Wearing the ridiculous wedge heels, she was only a few inches shorter than him, and right now she was thankful for the added height. It put them on the same playing field.
    “I already told your boss I’m not interested in being couple number two. So don’t even think that’s about to happen.”
    One corner of his lip curled. A tiny hint of a smile she didn’t want to see. That smile had done her in as a kid. And right now, when just being close to him was enough to make every cell in her body vibrate, she didn’t need the added firepower that smile could unleash. He was making a point? Good for him. She could make one too.
    “I can do couple one, though.” She laid her hands against his chest—his very hard, very muscular chest—and pushed.
    Wariness crept into his eyes, but he dropped into the chair. Then he flicked her a nonchalant look that said he wasn’t so sure. “I’ve seen your movies, princess. You’re not that good an actress.”
    Now this was the Cade Blackwell she remembered. A smart-ass to his core. At one point, she’d found that charming. Now all it did was piss her off. She might not know how to deal with Mr. Dark and Dangerous, but she knew how to deal with Mr. Smart-ass.
    “Brace yourself, Blackwell.”
    He looked up. His eyes narrowed. But before he could ask what she meant, she straddled his lap, slid her fingers along the scruff of his jaw, and tipped his face toward hers.
    Heat sparked in his eyes, and between her thighs, his body tensed. “Avery—”
    Victory pulsed through her. She’d caught him off guard. Perfect.
    Dipping her head, she pressed her lips to his, cutting off his words. Warmth spread across her own mouth and threatened to distract her, but she refocused on her goal and inched closer, bringing their bodies into full contact. His breath caught, and she felt the surprise ricochet through him, so she did it again, this time pressing her half-exposed breasts against his chest.
    His hands landed at her waist but didn’t move. His masculine scent rose in the air around her, making her lightheaded, but she kissed him again and reminded herself she was proving a point. Then she waited for the moment he let her in.
    Not a very good actress? Bullshit. She was going to make him eat those words.
    She tilted her head the other way. Brushed her lips against his again. His fingers dug into the corset at her hips. He was fighting it. Fighting her. It was time to play dirty.
    She lowered her weight onto his lap and rocked her hips against his. Then she slid the tip of her tongue along the seam of his lips, coaxing him to open.
    He gasped. And she took the opportunity to dip into his mouth, lick her tongue along his, and tease him the way he’d once teased her.
    A long time ago. A lifetime ago. When she’d been young and innocent and he’d been a horny teenager trying to get into her pants in the backseat of his Honda.
    A long groan rumbled from his chest. His arms closed around her. And then whatever protest he’d been mounting crumbled at her feet.
    He sat