Chapter Nineteen

LILY

Kace made quick work of finding us a new car. Although I wouldn't call this new vehicle a car as such, I'm pretty sure it's a painter's van. Definitely not something I would have picked for a quick getaway. But he seems to think it's something the Seven wouldn't expect him to choose either, so they probably won't know to look for us in this worn-out heap of junk, which makes sense. Keeping off their radar is totally fine by me!

"So, now that I don't have my cell, and we're on the move again, it should be harder for them to find us, right?" I ask and his jaw tenses, the vein in his neck protruding.

"Hopefully, but they'll still be looking and using every piece of surveillance equipment they have available to track us."

Sighing, I sit back into the seat lined with an old sheepskin seat cover, the fluff only comforting me slightly. "Where are we going now, then?"

He clenches his jaw tighter and shakes his head slightly. "I don't know. I'm going to keep driving, maybe head to the coast, find somewhere out of the city and away from civilians who could be dragged into this."

Sinking back further into my seat, I clench my eyes shut thinking of all the people and children that could have been harmed back there in the mall because of me.

This is crazy.

"Kace, this is bad. Are we going to have to run forever? I don't know if I can do that."

He turns, looking into my eyes. It worries me briefly that his eyes aren't focused on the road, but when he looks deep into my soul, the tension leaves me quickly.

"Lily, as soon as I find the answers I need, I'm going to bring down those responsible for this. I don't know why this is happening, but I'm going to find out. We will be free again, but it might take some time. We just have to keep moving, and I need you on board." His deep, gravelly voice soothes me instantly as his intense stare sends a shock wave straight to my core. I never knew just looking at someone could make me a little hot under the collar, but looking at Kace right now is making my thighs press together, hoping for a repeat of what happened in the hotel room. Feeling his tongue on me, his lightly spattered beard pressing against my thighs—I want to feel that again. He seems to notice my switch in thoughts as a slight smile touches his lips.

"Don't worry, I'll find somewhere nice for us to rest soon. Somewhere remote where no one will be around." The edge in this voice as he turns back to look at the road makes my breathing hitch. The promise of us being alone again tonight makes my stomach flip with happiness, and even though everything about this situation screams danger and disaster, I can't help but get caught up in the excitement and lust of it all.

***

The drive was quiet, and we didn't talk much, but there was a definite sizzle through the air—a tension that crackled and popped with a connection so profound I can't put my finger on it. Whether it's from the adrenaline of his team catching and releasing us, or from something more sinful, I'm not sure. But either way, something's pulsing through us, something exciting, something magical, and I know we both feel it.

The sly glances he sends my way aren't going unnoticed either, and the way his breathing hitches every time I gently caress his hand. Things are intensifying for us, our relationship is changing and moving at lightning speed, but I like it. I like that even through the fog and haze of this adrenaline- filled chaos, there's still him and me in our bubble.

The van pulls up a slight hill, the grass so green that even though the sky outside is a dark midnight black, the silver shards of light the moon is sending down on the ground shows how beautiful the foliage is. The slight sound of waves crashing against the shore soothes my tired body and calms my nerves as the van drives up the incline.

Then I see it.

A giant lighthouse pulls into view.

It stands so high, and its pure white fa?ade glows in the night sky. The beacon of light blisters out through the top of the dome shining out to sea, and I smile at the sheer beauty of something so architecturally sound.

"Wow, Kace, this place is beautiful," I murmur, sitting up taller in my seat as he pulls the van up to the side of the lighthouse.

He turns to me and smiles. "It is, and it will be quiet. No one will find us. They won't even think to look for us here. Right, let's get inside before the wind picks up." He smiles, then ducks out of the van quickly.

Taking a deep breath, I slide out and walk around the back where Kace has the side door open and is rummaging around. He grabs two blankets from inside. They have dried paint splatters all over them, but hey, if they're going to keep us warm tonight, who cares about some dried-up paint?

"Will there be a lighthouse keeper inside?" I ask.

He smiles at me as he slides the door shut with a bang, and we start to walk the path toward the lighthouse.

"No, most lighthouses aren't manned anymore. I'm sure the guy who maintains it isn't far, but mostly they're run electronically these days."

Nodding with a slight grin at the confirmation that we will be alone, I chew on my bottom lip as we reach the black door. He grips the handle turning it, but it's locked. I slump my body, and Kace looks at me raising an eyebrow like he's disappointed with my reaction.

"We're getting in, Lily. Don't worry," he says, then he looks to the ground, smiles, and reaches down grabbing a small, stiff piece of wire and inserts it into the lock. Reaching down, he grabs another piece that looks the same. He jiggles them both in the lock for no longer than two seconds before it clicks into place. Smiling up at me, he tilts his head toward the door handle, hinting at me to open it. I giggle, shaking my head and turning the handle. The door opens with ease as he puts the wires in his pocket and ushers me inside.

"Have I told you how hot you are when you're all badass and breaking the law?" I tease, he grins rolling his eyes and looks toward the spiral staircase.

I head for the stairs as he closes the door behind us. My body is sore, and stairs have never been my friend, but to spend the night alone with Kace, I would step up a thousand of them. I start heading up, our footsteps the only sound echoing through the eerie silence. My heart is hammering in my chest as the stairs spiral and continue up and up, so high I'm worried about altitude sickness. Not really, that's dramatic, but we are going quite high—at least four flights.

Finally, it opens up into a small, round room. In the center is the beacon surrounded by a glass wall where the light is shining, circling in an even tempo.

I smile at the sight. It's beautiful as I walk around the edge of the circular room. The windows are floor-to-ceiling glass looking out over the sea, and even though the night is dark, the view of the ocean is vast. The horizon is etched in blues and silvers with the small rise and fall of waves. It's a sight to behold, and I wrap my arms around myself just to feel my own presence and to make sure I'm really here and not dreaming. Everything in my life over the past twenty-four hours has seemed like a weird reality, but this, this seems more like a dream.

There's a buzz in the air, a spark, a fizz that's making everything around me hyperaware as I stare out to the ocean. This would be super romantic if it were a date, but it's not. We're running from a government agency that's trying to bring us in for possible torture for stuff I have no idea about.

How is that even slightly romantic?

The atmosphere is super quiet between us, and as Kace puts the bag and the blankets down, the tension is rolling off his muscles in waves. I know he's hurting having the people he cares about hunting him down, trying to hunt us down.

The night is brisk and being up so high and on the coast, the chill factor is noticeable and is sending goosebumps along my skin as a shudder runs along my spine. A slow shiver covers my entire body, and I shake on the spot. Chewing on my bottom lip as my breathing becomes short and sharp, Kace moves in beside me. A charge fires off at the closeness of his proximity, making my hairs stand on end. He doesn't say a word but slowly moves his arm out, wrapping it around me. His hand smooths up and down my arm in a comforting gesture, which warms me up as he presses the side of his toned body against mine. My core clenches with delight, and my breath catches at his touch. We don't say anything as we stare out at the crashing waves, watching as they smash against the shore with my inner thoughts of his mouth slamming against mine racing through my brain.

"I'm sorry this is happening to you." His deep voice breaks through the deafening silence.

I turn slightly to look at him, his face full of pain and hurt. "I'm sorry this is happening to you," I reply.

He shakes his head. "I'm okay, I'm more concerned about you."

"I'm fine. I guess I just don't know what happens next."

He turns, looking me straight in the eyes. His deep blue pools sinking right into my soul, making me want to melt into a puddle on the floor. A surge passes between us, making my breath catch as he tenses his muscles apparently feeling it too. We're shifting again, moving with the force of the gravity that's taking hold of us.

"Seems like it would have been a lot easier just to do your job," I murmur.

His jaw tenses as the vein in his neck pulses and protrudes. "I've never been the one to take the easy way out."

"Why do you risk your life to do this?"

His harsh stance softens, and his shoulders relax slightly. "Because I feel like I'm changing the world."

Furrowing my brows, I curl up my lip. "But how is coming after innocent people changing the world?"

He stiffens again and shakes his head. "But they're not innocent?"

"I am… how do you know the others weren't, too?"

He pauses, his eyebrow lifting up deep in thought as his muscles stiffen completely again. "Shit! My whole life, my mission, everything could be a lie… not just you?"

Sighing, I cuddle into his side and bring my hand up to his face caressing his cheek to try and comfort him.

"Maybe I've let myself become content. I've never asked questions, and because of that, I've let the dark consume me. I am the darkness."

I turn to him, looking deep into his eyes and half-smile. "Then let me be your light."

He stares back at me as my hand continues to caress his cheek, and sparks fly off us in all directions heating up the cold night air. The chemistry between us is scorching, and I know there's more between us than neighbors, there is more here than a protector and a target.

There's more. We're more.

I want… I need… more.

"Lily…" His voice is barely a murmur. The strain in his voice shows he's trying to hold back but is struggling.

"Kace, let me be your home. Let me be the light you need to find your strength. Find your light in me."

He clenches his eyes tight like he's fighting an inward battle. I turn my body to his and run my hand from his cheek into the back of his hair, tugging it slightly as my other hand runs around his waist and up the back of his shirt, feeling the hard muscles of his back. A low, throaty growl echoes through the small confines of the lighthouse as I push my hips forward feeling his erection pressing through his jeans. He wants this, he just needs to surrender. They're not going to find us, not tonight. It's okay for him to stop being a protector and be a lover instead.

"Kace, look at me," I demand.

His eyes flick open, and he stares right at me. His gaze is intense, full of want and need. I lean forward slowly pressing my lips to the edge of his mouth, not kissing his lips full-on but just the tips to tease. He groans and wraps his arms around my body holding me to him. His resolve, definitely weakening.

"Let go, Kace. They're not coming tonight. Let go of the dark, come into the light with me."

He groans as I press my lips to the edge of his mouth again, his hips rock into mine. Suddenly, his hand runs through my hair, gripping it, not tight but enough to maneuver my head. He pulls me back and forces his lips to mine. A slight smile creeps across my lips as I kiss him back, a tingle spreading through my body at the spark emanating from the intense kiss. His tongue dances with mine as I moan into his mouth while kissing him passionately. Being with Kace is all I've wanted for so long, and this feels completely natural and right.

His free hand moves to my hip running under my sweater onto my skin. Fingers dig into my flesh as he stakes a claim while holding me tightly to him. He turns us, pushing me back up against the railing by the window, and I whimper into his mouth. He's being a little rough, but fuck, I kind of like it.

My leg instinctively runs up his thigh and wraps around his waist, drawing his hips closer to mine. We both moan into each other's mouths as he grinds his erection into my pussy. My hand moves from his back down to the hem of his shirt, and I begin to lift it. He doesn't fight me and pulls back helping to lift it over his head. My eyes automatically drop to view the Adonis body—those chiseled abs, his strong chest, and that perfect V. I lick my lips as he moves back in grabbing my sweater and shirt at the same time, lifting them both with ease up and over my head leaving me in a lacy white bra. He flares his nostrils and swallows hard, his Adam's apple bobbing up and down harshly as he looks down at my body.

"You're so fucking gorgeous," he murmurs, grabbing my hand and pulling me to him. I'm forced away from the railing as he captures me, and we fall to the floor on top of the painter's blankets. He grabs the back of my head stopping it from hitting the floor as I giggle at his strength and force. He's so strong I couldn't fight him even if I wanted to.

I'm on my back, and he's to my right on his side looking down at me as we both breathe heavily. His finger runs from the base of my neck down the center of my body causing goosebumps to litter my skin while he looks to me in adoration. His finger reaches my jeans, and he pops open the button and unzips as I begin breathing so fast I feel like I'm hyperventilating.

He knows how to slow things down but speed up my heart in the process, which is running at a million miles an hour. His hands run to the sides of my jeans, he starts to pull them down, and I lift my ass to help him shuffle them off. He tugs them off with my sneakers, pulling my foot up to kiss my toes. I giggle slightly and swallow hard as he moves back beside me trailing his fingers up my thigh, past my stomach with his hand settling on my breast. Tingles shoot through me as I push my chest up higher needing his touch. He firmly squeezes my breast as his face comes down, his lips connecting with my neck. While he pulls my bra down, he nips and sucks at my skin, then rolls my taut bud through his fingers, teasing me, delicately slowly.

Clenching my eyes shut, my fingers dig into the tartan—encrusted with paint—blanket as I arch my back off the wool. His teeth graze along my skin while his free hand skates under my back, releasing the clip and freeing my breasts from their confines. He pulls the bra off, and it falls to the side as he moves his mouth to my nipple, sucking it in harshly. I pant as his hand trails down my stomach heading south. My teeth draw my bottom lip into my mouth as I clench down, while undeniable lust surges through me.

I want Kace, there's no doubting that, but I will let him take this slow, I will let us have tonight because who knows when or if we'll have this chance again once day breaks.

His hand skims under my panties, and I raise my hips arching into his touch. He clamps his teeth down on my nipple, and I moan out in delight as his finger reaches out for my clit.

Knowing we're on the run, knowing our time together could be limited, all these sensations are swarming through my body. The spark, the connection between us is definitely mutual, not to mention the undeniable amount of chemistry we have going on. Kace is an enigma, and I want to be the missing piece to his broken puzzle.

His finger presses hard on my clit. My body's close to exploding as his teeth graze my pebbled nipple sending a shockwave of euphoria through me. He's a master, and I don't want this ever to stop. His finger circles on my clit, working me higher and higher as his tongue assaults my nipple over and over. My head falls back to the floor as I clench my eyes shut in utter pleasure, rocking my pussy against his hand.

He moves his finger from my clit momentarily leaving me wanting. His hand pulls my panties down further, and I shuffle with him to help as he flicks them off leaving me completely naked. I'm unashamed and completely turned on as his hand moves back to my pussy. My legs fall open wider, and he slides two fingers up my silky wetness, then moves them inside me. I arch my back with a pant as he works his magic. His lips trail hard kisses up my neck as his teeth graze my goose-bumped skin. His thumb shifts to my clit as he moves in a thrust-circle-thrust action on my pussy and the pressure of his lips and fingers is too much. Even with the chill in the night air, heat washes over my body, sending a mist of sweat over my skin. My back curves off the blanket as my heart races frantically, and I struggle for breath.

Then it hits with such force that I gasp and shudder moaning out loud. "Kace!" I scream out his name, just like I did the first time he caused me to climax. The feathering of his beard tickles along my neck as he kisses me lightly bringing me down slowly from my intense high.

"I wasn't kidding when I said I could get used to hearing you screaming out my name. It really turns me on," he says.

I open my eyes, hazy with the afterglow, and bring my hand to his cheek caressing it tenderly.

"Then how about we take this a step further so I can hear you scream my name?" I ask brashly.

His eyes light up, and he swallows hard like he's torn. "I-I didn't think this would happen on the run, I don't have any protection." His face is hard like he's so annoyed with himself that this won't happen for us now.

Smiling, I caress his face and lean up kissing him briefly. I then pull back moving my hand to his jeans starting to undo them. He furrows his brows and shakes his head slightly.

"What?" he questions looking confused.

"I have the depo injection. Had my last one a month ago. I'm not due for another for two months, Kace. It's safe," I tell him.

His eyes shine, but he chews his bottom lip. "You want to do this bareback?" he asks for clarification.

Smiling, my fingers trail across his cheek. "I need you, Kace. I need to give you all of me. I want to give you all of me."

He takes in a deep breath and flares his nostrils like a wave of something is flashing through his mind. I don't have time to think of what before his lips crash to mine. My hands run up into his hair, and I lay back completely as he shuffles out of his pants leaving him naked and quivering on top of me.

If I didn't know better, I'd think he was nervous.

But this is Kace Colt.

Having sex wouldn't make him nervous, would it?

He's a spy for crying out loud.

I think this is just emotional for both of us, and he's feeling the pull toward the light. Finally, I'm helping free his demons, and I'm so glad to be the one to do it.

He hovers over me and feeling his cock against me makes me realize how huge he is. Sure I've felt it through his pants before, but I've never taken in how big he actually is, until now. My legs part wider allowing him to sink completely between them. One of his hands moves to my side holding him up, the other reaches out for mine. He grabs hold of my wrist and pins it beside my head holding it firmly in place. I chew on my lip liking his little bit of dominance which only heightens my excitement.

He leans down kissing my lips softly in contrast to the harsh grasp he has on my wrist, and I love that he can be both caring and dominant at the same time. Kace is amazing in every sense of the word. He's wrapping me up in a bubble of euphoria, and I never want it to burst.

The tip of his cock nudges at my opening, his tongue dances with mine, and as I move my hips up slightly taking him inside me fractionally, he moves down, rocking, easing in gently to let me adjust to his size. As I stretch around him, the pleasure of him moving inside me hits us both at the same time. We moan together as he slides inside me fully, our hips meeting each other for the first time. Feeling him skin to skin is more than I thought it would be, and I almost feel like I want to break down and weep, it's that freaking good.

His hand on my wrist clenches tighter as we move together. He withdraws and moves back in, starting to push and pull a little faster. Our kiss is feverish, and my free hand clenches his hair tightly pulling his face to mine harder. I need to feel him completely, so my legs wrap around his waist, pulling him deeper. He moans into my mouth letting me know he likes this new position, and we continue to move together, rocking back and forth, striving and climbing for our releases.

He thrusts in just the right spot knowing full well what he's doing, thrusting again—in out, in out. A perfect rhythm, our bodies moving together in synchronous harmony while misting with beads of sweat as we kiss with a hungry need. The passion is overflowing, and I've never felt more connected to anyone. The sparks erupting from us could burn down this lighthouse and set the sea ablaze as we smolder in our own inferno.

My body ignites in an insatiable fire, and the heat becomes too much to bear. I need air, so I break the kiss. He seems to understand moving his lips to my neck, nipping, sucking, and biting as we continue to move. I clench my eyes tight. Flashes of light strobe behind my closed eyelids as fog invades my brain. My chest heaves as my heart races frantically, and my body quivers. Kace has me right on the edge.

He thrusts deeply hitting the perfect spot. His hand moves from my wrist up, lacing our fingers together, holding my hand, and it's my undoing. My muscles tense, and everything fades to black, then explodes like a Fourth of July fireworks extravaganza. Flashes of light parade behind my eyes like never before as our fingers intertwine firmly. My body shudders, and I moan so loudly I'm sure the fishermen at sea can hear me.

"Oh God, Kace," I pant breathlessly as my pussy clenches tightening around his cock.

He moans, tensing and jolting slightly as his mouth crashes back to mine, devouring me. Pausing, he tenses his muscles completely and then unloads with such force I can feel him emptying inside of me. We both pant as we break the kiss and rest our foreheads against each other.

Opening our eyes, we stare into each other's souls. Something clicks, everything collides and pivots, and anything dangerous in the world fades away into perfect bliss.

It's just Kace and me. Here and now. And everything is delightfully perfect.