Page 55 of Silk Shadow

What the hell was he thinking?

He'd crossed just about every line he could think of. The principal-bodyguard line, the employer-employee line—not to mention his normal stance on relationships.

His body had instantly reacted to the contact, and even now, he could see the covers tenting over his massive hard-on. Luckily, Izzy was dead to the world and hadn't noticed.

Her breathing was even and rhythmic, unlike his shallow and labored breaths.

Goddamn.

He couldn't even move to massage himself, to relieve the ache. So, he lay there, perfectly still and pretended he was holed up behind enemy lines. Camouflaged in a forward operating post, unable to move. He forced his mind to go blank, like he used to in those situations, and focused on his breathing. Soon, it slowed, and his arousal faded. Grogginess descended and the exhaustion of the last few days returned. He felt himself drifting, and eventually, he fell asleep.

The telephone rang, waking him with a start.

What the hell?

The room was still dark and he was momentarily confused. Then it came flooding back in a rush. The jungle... the race up the coast... the resort... the double bed.

Her...

He glanced down at the sleeping figure still wrapped around him. She stirred, then snuggled some more.

He patted her shoulder. "Izzy, the phone's ringing."

She murmured something unintelligible and snuggled deeper. Her hand slipped under his robe, splaying across his abs.

He froze. What was she playing at?

It snaked up to his chest, her fingers grazing his chest hair. His body was on fire. Christ, he was harder than the Washington Monument.

She opened her eyes and mumbled, "You get it."

He sat up and reached for the phone.

She shifted off him and lay on her side, watching, her eyes dark and huge.

"Hello?"

"It's me. I hope you're decent; I'm coming over. I've just spoken to Pat."

"Right, see you now." Viper shot out of bed, fastening his robe. "Phoenix is coming over."

Izzy groaned. "Now?"

"Yep, he's heard from Pat."

He opened the blind and lifted the window, letting in some fresh air. It was mid-morning, the sun high in the sky.

"Okay." She gave him a lingering glance, then got up and disappeared to the bathroom.

A moment later, there was a knock on the door.

"Hey, buddy." Phoenix bounded in. His gaze fell on the bed. "How did you sleep?"

Viper didn't miss the cheeky sparkle.

"Fine, thank you. What did Pat have to say?"

Phoenix chuckled. "He was overjoyed we got Izzy back. He's very fond of her, from what I can gather."