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her back to the windows her breasts weren’t visible to
the guards, but it was obvious what Desmond was doing.
    He bent his head and sucked one pert nipple into his mouth.
She arched her back, pressing herself into the kiss. “I remember the first time
you did this,” she whispered, not caring if the guards heard her or not.
    Without releasing her breast, he angled his head and met her
gaze. That was a lifetime ago. You’re no longer a passive slave and I’m not
that embittered soldier.
    She hadn’t brought it up to upset him. Her emotions were
just raw today. I was thinking how far we’d come since those long-ago days.
    He nipped her breast then smiled. “And I want you to stop
thinking and come.” One of his hands slipped beneath her skirt and cupped her
mound. He didn’t try to stimulate her, not that having his hand pressed against
her aching sex wasn’t stimulating enough, but this display was for the benefit
of the guards.
    Will Farren let you go after her?
    Possibly. I sampled her DNA, so I should be able to track
her.
    His symbionts used the DNA of others to reprogram Desmond’s
physical appearance. They could also use the sample to locate the source.
    She framed his face with her hands and peppered leisurely
kisses across his features. We both know what you need to do. If you could
just—
    I can’t awaken my Strigo symbionts. He pushed her
hands away and glared. Don’t you think I’ve tried?
    I know you’ve tried, but our need has never been this
dire before. We must escape this web before Farren realizes that Eloise is
gone.
    Moving his hands to her hips, he closed his eyes and blew
out an exasperated breath. His features stilled and his breathing deepened. Was
he trying to release the latent power of his Strigo heritage or was he just
avoiding her gaze? She tried to scan his mind but his shields were at full
strength. His fingers dug into her hips and his legs tensed beneath her. No, he
was definitely trying.
    She didn’t speak, didn’t want to distract him, yet she’d
never felt so helpless. There had to be something she could do to help him,
some way of jolting his Strigo symbionts out of their virus-induced
hibernation.
    The door burst open and Farren Doyle stood framed in the
doorway. “Why don’t we sense our prisoner anymore?”
    Desmond lifted her off his lap and set her on the sofa as he
stood. Caresse quickly rebuttoned her blouse then stood as well.
    “What do you mean? She’s still asleep.”
    Caresse couldn’t see his expression but his denial sounded
convincing.
    Farren scoffed and stormed past him, disappearing down the
short hallway. She heard the bedroom door bang open and then Farren bellowed,
“She’s gone, you fool! You let her escape.”
    Desmond moved to the mouth of the hall so he could see the
other man. “You told me her symbionts were neutralized and not to begin my interrogation
until she awakened naturally.”
    “So this is our fault?” Farren charged back down the
hall.
    Desmond stepped out of reach before Farren could touch him,
but Farren’s anger was palpable. “Guards! Take her outside.”
    Immediately the two guards rushed into the room and grabbed
Caresse. “Wait! Desmond did nothing wrong. If Eloise escaped, she must have had
an accomplice. There is no way…”
    Farren silenced her with an upraised hand. The guards held
her firmly between them so she couldn’t avoid the blow if Farren swung. “Get
her out of our sight.”
    The guards obeyed.

Chapter Two
     
    The world became a dizzying mix of flashing lights and
streaking colors. Eloise briefly closed her eyes but that only intensified the
nauseating rush so she reluctantly opened them again.
    Darkness enveloped them until something cold and solid
pressed against her feet. Her rescuer’s arms loosened and she swayed then
stumbled as he started to pull away. “You okay?”
    His rumbling voice sent shivers down her spine and filled
her mind with memories of his rippling muscles. Rather than find