“Don’t stop!” she gasped. “God, Caleb, you can’t stop now!”

“I forgot the goddamn condom again,” he growled. “Give me just a minute.”

It seemed an eternity before he yanked one of the drawers open and then ripped at one of the packets. He fumbled between her legs a moment and then spread her wide once more.

He pushed into her and they both moaned. She curled both arms around his neck, pulling him down to kiss her. Had there ever been a man like Caleb in her life? Never had she felt the tumultuous rush of raw, hedonistic desire.

“God, what you do to me, Ramie,” he said through clenched teeth. “You make me forget everything until all I want is to be inside you and never leave.”

She slid her mouth down his jaw and then nipped lightly at his throat, causing him to shudder violently against her. She inhaled deeply, the combination of powerful male and his soap swirling through her senses.

He slid his hands underneath her behind and lifted her upward, his fingers digging into her flesh, branding her irrevocably. Her body clamped down around his erection, holding it, sucking it deeper inside her.

“You make me forget too,” she whispered.

Her nails scoured his back and he let out a growl of pleasure. He swelled within her, surging hard and fast until the only sound that could be heard was the slap of flesh against flesh.

The mirror was completely fogged from the hot shower and their rapid heavy breathing. She tilted back, allowing her head to rest against the glass once more. She gripped his forearms as her orgasm roared over her, tightening, clenching every muscle in her body.

Her release was so explosive that her vision went blurry and she seemed to float outside of her body. His name was a litany on her lips, whispered over and over as he claimed his own release.

He convulsed against her, his hold on her almost bruising, and yet it gave her comfort to know she was completely sheltered in his arms.

His breath stuttered over his lips, his entire body heaving as they both tried to catch up.

He smoothed wet hair from her forehead and then kissed the spot he exposed.

“I know you probably aren’t ready to hear this, Ramie, but I’m not just falling in love with you. I am in love with you.”

She froze, holding her breath as he pulled back just enough that he could look into her eyes. Panic struck and she couldn’t get her tongue to cooperate. Would he be angry that she couldn’t find the same words? That the idea of being loved and in love was terrifying to her?

She was marked for death. She couldn’t afford emotional entanglements because it would only end in grief. She didn’t want Caleb to love her because then it would hurt him if something happened to her.

“Caleb . . .”

His name was all she could muster. Tenderly, he pressed a finger to her lips.

“Don’t,” he said. “It’s all right, Ramie. I can wait until you’re ready. Just know that you are loved and you aren’t alone. For now, it’s enough.”

TWENTY-TWO

FINALLY, his quarry was in his sights. He smiled a slow, satisfied smile as he watched Caleb Devereaux walk into the building that housed all of his businesses. He was especially amused by the newly formed security company. Did Devereaux honestly think his security experts were any match for his genius?

Chuckling to himself, he shook his head and then hunkered down to wait for Devereaux to exit the building. He was a patient man and patience was always rewarded. Always. Patience was a virtue according to the Bible.

“I’m coming for you, Ramie,” he said in a singsong, soft voice.

His mind was flooded with images of Ramie St. Claire being punished for interfering in his quests. It was his duty to rid the world of the weak and the sinners. But then Ramie had turned the investigators loose on him. She’d cost him valuable time. He’d had to fall back and regroup, lying low and lulling everyone into a false sense of security. They’d thought he’d stopped the cleansing, but in truth he only took a sabbatical.

He laughed again. A sabbatical from sin. It had a certain ring to it.

Ramie St. Claire didn’t have his entire focus. He was capable of splitting his attention, especially when it came to new blood. Another waited for him. He licked his lips in anticipation and rubbed his hands back and forth together.

As soon as his job was done here, he’d take care of his latest conquest. Ramie would be pleased, no doubt, that he had another victim because it meant she wasn’t his yet. But soon. Very soon all the pieces would fall into place and Ramie would be punished for her sins.

He came to attention, his nostrils flaring and eyes narrowing as he focused on Caleb Devereaux leaving the office building. He started forward, his stride hobbled, his clothing dirty and torn. There was nothing about his current appearance to hint at his identity. He was very careful and he knew he was smarter than the others. They wouldn’t find him.

His pulse accelerated and a giddy thrill coursed through his veins as Caleb Devereaux approached. Caleb didn’t see him. Men like Caleb never saw the less fortunate. He looked past others as though they didn’t exist in his privileged world. His shortsightedness would cost him dearly.

On cue, he stumbled, falling forward directly into Devereaux’s path. His arm flailed upward as if he were trying to catch himself. His fingers curled tightly around Devereaux’s arm as he went to one knee.

“Sir, are you all right?” Devereaux asked in a concerned voice.

Surprise prickled down his spine at Devereaux’s reaction. He blinked and forced his attention back to the task at hand.