{"product_id":"no-place-to-run-isbn-9780425238196","title":"No Place to Run","description":"\u003cb\u003eA woman’s first love becomes her only chance for survival in this gripping novel in Maya Banks’ KGI series. \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe last person Sam Kelly expected to pull wounded from the lake was Sophie Lundgren. Once they shared a brief, intense affair while Sam was undercover and then she vanished. She’s spent the last months on the run, knowing that any mistake would cost her life and that of her unborn child—Sam’s child. Now she’s resurfaced with a warning for Sam: this time, he’s the one in danger.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSam has too many questions to let her slip away again—like why she disappeared in the first place. This time he vows not to be seduced. But one look in her eyes, and the passion burns again, and Sam knows he’ll do anything to keep her and his child safe. However, Sophie’s dark past is more dangerous than he imagines, and the only way for either to survive it is to outrun it.\u003cb\u003eMaya Banks \u003c\/b\u003eis the #1\u003ci\u003e USA Today\u003c\/i\u003e and #1 \u003ci\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author of the Surrender trilogy, the Breathless trilogy, the Sweet series, the Colters’ Legacy novels, and The Enforcers series. She lives in the South with her husband and three children and other assorted babies, such as her two Bengal kitties and a calico who’s been with her as long as her youngest child. She’s an avid reader of romance and loves to dish books with her fans and anyone else who’ll listen!\u003cp\u003eTable of Contents\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTitle Page\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCopyright Page\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDedication\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 1\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 2\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 3\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 4\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 5\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 6\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 7\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 8\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 9\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 10\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 11\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 12\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 13\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 14\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 15\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 16\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 17\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 18\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 19\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 20\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 21\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 22\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 23\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 24\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 25\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 26\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 27\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 28\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 29\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 30\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 31\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 32\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 33\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTeaser chapter\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePraise for the novels of Maya Banks\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBE WITH ME\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Three hot men and one lucky woman. I absolutely loved it! Simply wonderful writing. There’s a new star on the rise and her name is Maya Banks.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e—Sunny, national bestselling author of \u003ci\u003eLucinda, Dangerously\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Fascinating erotic romantic suspense.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e—Midwest Book Review\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSWEET SURRENDER\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Searingly sexy and highly believable.” \u003ci\u003e—Romantic Times\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“This story ran my heart through the wringer more than once.” \u003ci\u003e—CK\u003c\/i\u003e2\u003ci\u003eS Kwips and Kritiques\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“From page one, I was drawn into the story and literally could not stop reading until the last page.” \u003ci\u003e—The Romance Studio\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Maya Banks’s story lines are always full of situations that captivate readers, but it’s the emotional pull you experience which brings the story to life.” \u003ci\u003e—Romance Junkies\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFOR HER PLEASURE\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“[It] is the ultimate in pleasurable reading. Enticing, enchanting and sinfully sensual, I couldn’t have asked for a better anthology.” \u003ci\u003e—Joyfully Reviewed\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Full of emotional situations, lovable characters, and kick-butt story lines that will leave you desperate for more. I highly recommend \u003ci\u003eFor Her Pleasure\u003c\/i\u003e for readers who like spicy romances with a suspenseful element—it’s definitely a must read!” \u003ci\u003e—Romance Junkies\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Totally intoxicating, \u003ci\u003eFor Her Pleasure\u003c\/i\u003e is one of those reads you won’t be forgetting any time soon.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e—The Road to Romance\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eBerkley titles by Maya Banks\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFOR HER PLEASURE \u003cbr\u003eSWEET SURRENDER \u003cbr\u003eBE WITH ME \u003cbr\u003eSWEET PERSUASION \u003cbr\u003eSWEET SEDUCTION \u003cbr\u003eSWEET TEMPTATION\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTHE DARKEST HOUR \u003cbr\u003eNO PLACE TO RUN\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished by the Penguin Group\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePenguin Group (USA) Inc.\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA\u003c\/b\u003e  \u003cbr\u003ePenguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada \u003cbr\u003e(a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.) \u003cbr\u003ePenguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England \u003cbr\u003ePenguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.) \u003cbr\u003ePenguin Group (Australia), 250 Camberwell Road, Camberwell, Victoria 3124, Australia \u003cbr\u003e(a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.) \u003cbr\u003ePenguin Books India Pvt. Ltd., 11 Community Centre, Panchsheel Park, New Delhi—110 017, India \u003cbr\u003ePenguin Group (NZ), 67 Apollo Drive, Rosedale, North Shore 0632, New Zealand \u003cbr\u003e(a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.) \u003cbr\u003ePenguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, \u003cbr\u003eSouth Africa\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePenguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNO PLACE TO RUN\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA Berkley Sensation Book \/ published by arrangement with the author\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePRINTING HISTORY \u003cbr\u003eBerkley Sensation mass-market edition \/ December 2010\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eCopyright © 2010 by Maya Banks.\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAll rights reserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group, \u003cbr\u003ea division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., \u003cbr\u003e375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eeISBN : 978-1-101-44573-0\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBERKLEY® SENSATION \u003cbr\u003eBerkley Sensation Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group, \u003cbr\u003ea division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc., \u003cbr\u003e375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014. \u003cbr\u003eBERKLEY® SENSATION and the “B” design are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e \u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eA big thank-you to:\u003c\/i\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eKim Whalen, my biggest cheerleader and advocate.\u003c\/i\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eCindy Hwang, for her support of this series\u003c\/i\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eand for believing I could do it\u003c\/i\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003ewhen I didn’t think I could pull it off.\u003c\/i\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eValerie and Lillie, for always being willing\u003c\/i\u003e  \u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eto drop everything at a moment’s notice for me.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 1\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHE was waiting for her as soon as she opened the door to his hotel room. Sam Kelly watched as Sophie turned, watched the wash of desire that flickered in her expressive blue eyes as she found him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBefore she could reach behind her to tug at the tie to her apron, he had her in his arms, his lips crushing hers in that first sweet taste.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Sam.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis name came out in a breathy sigh that he felt all the way to his balls.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe reached around and took the tie from her and pulled until the work apron she wore came free.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Any trouble tonight?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe shook her head even as he found her lips again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I \u003ci\u003ehate\u003c\/i\u003e that you work there.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe paused in her kiss, and for a long moment they stood there, their lips barely a breath apart as she stared  up at him. Her mouth turned down into an unhappy moue, and he was sorry for spoiling the moment by expressing his dissatisfaction with her job.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWho was he to say anything at all? She was working in a little dive in Bumfuck, Mexico—a place a girl like her clearly didn’t belong—but maybe it was all she could do to make ends meet. It wasn’t like he could offer to sweep her off her feet and carry her off into the sunset.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Forget I said anything,” he murmured. “Come here.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe tipped a finger under her chin and guided her mouth back to his. He was hungry—starving—for her. Even now his brothers and their team were doing the job he was here for because he wanted a few stolen moments with a woman he hadn’t been able to resist—a woman he’d known he had to have from the moment he walked into the bar where she waitressed.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA woman who made it too easy to forget duty.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe leaned into him, warm and unsteady. He lifted her just enough that she could circle his neck with her arms, and she smiled against his mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Better,” she whispered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“I’ll be better when you’re naked.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe carried her toward the bed and lowered her onto the mattress until he hovered over her, trapping her underneath his body. His mouth was just over her belly, and he looked up her body, meeting her gaze.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“You’re so beautiful,” he murmured.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith slow, methodical movements that belied his urgency, he slid her T-shirt up, baring her slim waist.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eEven as he raised it higher over her breasts, he tongued the shallow indention of her navel. She shivered beneath  his lips and a fine smattering of chill bumps raced across her belly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe arched her back almost as if she’d buck him off, but he left her shirt and gripped her hips, holding her in place.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Mine.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe shuddered and let out a light whimper when he licked up her midline and caught his teeth on the band of her bra. He grinned and levered himself upward so that his knees were on either side of her hips, and she was effectively trapped.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eImpatient to have her undressed, he grasped the hem of her T-shirt and ripped it up the middle until it lay in two pieces on either side of her. It hung from her arms, and he simply pulled until she was free.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer nipples puckered and strained against the lacy cups of her bra. The material shielded nothing of the dark crescents. Idly he toyed with the nubs through the satin, touching and molding until they were hard points begging to be set free.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe swells plumped over the edge of the cups, and with a light flick, he pushed them free, baring her nipples so they peeked over the bra.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer hands crept up his thighs, sliding over the rough denim of his jeans, but he reached down and grasped her wrists, pulling her away.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe started to protest, but he brought one hand to his mouth and kissed her palm before raising her arms over her head. He leaned until they were pressed to the mattress, and once again she was captured.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn a moment of inspiration, he gathered the tattered  remains of her T-shirt and tied one wrist to the head-board. She gasped, her eyes going wide when he took her other hand and secured it as well.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer breathing speeded up and her chest heaved. She licked her lips nervously, but her eyes darkened to sapphire. His smile was slow and predatory. She was like a drug. A high he didn’t want to come down from. She made him feel strong and invincible.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Now what to do with you?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe reached into his jeans and pulled out his pocket-knife. Her eyes widened slightly, but no fear shone in her gaze. He flipped the knife open and tucked the blade underneath the band of her bra. The material fell away, baring her breasts to his hungry gaze.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe closed the knife and tossed it aside, then turned his attention to the clasp of her jeans. He wanted to rip them from her, but he forced himself to take his time and to savor each inch of her flesh he unveiled.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe worked the jeans over her hips and then down her legs, moving so he could free her entirely. Her shapely legs drew him. He ran his finger up the slim lines and curves and then followed with his mouth, kissing and licking a path to the silky scrap of underwear that shielded her pussy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe tucked one finger behind the lace, threading through the curls into the slick folds. She moaned and twisted restlessly when he found her clit. For a moment he played, stroking his fingertip over the sensitive nub. Then he slipped down until he rimmed her entrance, teasing her mercilessly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith one push, he was inside. Liquid velvet closed around his finger, and he closed his eyes as he imagined his cock there, gliding through her tight, swollen heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Sam!”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer agonized cry jerked him back to awareness. Her face was flushed, her eyes glittering with need.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Please,” she begged.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe ripped the panties, no longer patient, no longer willing to prolong his seduction. He wanted her. Had to have her. Now.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis shirt came off and sailed across the room. He rolled to the side and yanked at his jeans, cursing under his breath when they snagged around his ankles.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhere the fuck was the condom? Pocket. Shit. He leaned over the bed to pick the pants back up and yanked several packets out. They spilled onto the bed as he rolled back over. He grabbed one and ripped it open as he straddled her again.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer gaze was riveted on his groin. Her eyes flashed appreciatively, and in response he reached down, grasped his cock and stroked.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe strained against her bonds, and it only made him harder and more eager to take her.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a shaking hand, he rolled the condom on and then reached down to spread her legs.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eGod, she was so soft and beautiful. Delicate and feminine. The silky blond curls were damp with desire, and he ran his thumb down the seam of her pussy before pushing her legs farther apart.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe was open to him. Open and unguarded. His to take. His to pleasure. His to taste and to touch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe rose over her, tucking his cock against her small opening. He could never get over that first thrust, where her body fought his size and her pussy closed around him like a vise. He was sweating and shaking like a teenager, and he hadn’t even gotten inside her yet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Are you ready for me, Sophie?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe nudged inward just enough that the head spread her opening and he could feet her heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Please, Sam. I need you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose softly uttered words sent him over the edge. He gripped her hips and dove deep. She gasped. All the breath left his body in a groan of intense agony.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe writhed beneath him, trapped. Her mouth opened and closed, and her arms strained against the bonds at her wrists. She surrounded his dick like warm honey. So sweet. So hot. He’d never felt anything to match the sensation of being inside her.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen she bucked upward in protest of his not moving, he withdrew, and they both moaned at the sensation of him rippling through her flesh.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“God, honey, you’re so tight. You feel so damn good.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“We fit,” she said on a moan. “You fit me. Perfect.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Damn right,” he growled as he swooped downward to devour her mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe flexed his hips and sank deep again. He swallowed her gasp of pleasure, savored it, then returned it in his next breath as their tongues mimicked the action of their bodies.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThere was no thinking. Only the slick, hot feel of her against his cock. His brain went numb as he lost himself. Deeper. Harder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe rest slipped away. No mission. No asshole who needed killing. No frustration because KGI’s efforts had met with no results.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHere it was just the two of them. And mindless, perfect pleasure.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe reached down to hook his forearms underneath her knees. He pulled hard, and the angle sent him deeper, until he was wedged so tight that his balls were crammed against her pussy.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe glanced up, meeting her gaze, making sure she was with him and that he hadn’t hurt her. Only her desperate need for release stared back at him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith a savage cry, he pulled back and then hammered into her, rocking the entire bed as he thrust over and over. Her eyes slammed shut and her cry split the air. She went tight, so tight, as every muscle in her body tensed, and then suddenly she went liquid around him, bathing him in intense heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe threw back his head, closed his own eyes and pounded forward one last time before his release gathered in his balls and shot up his cock. He erupted painfully, the pleasure so staggeringly intense that he lost himself for one brief moment.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis hips still flexed spasmodically as he carefully lowered himself onto her limp body. She trembled as their flesh met, and her lips brushed over his jaw as he laid his head against her shoulder.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe was still buried deep and he had no desire to move. She felt good surrounding him, holding him in her body. He moved his hips again, a shudder rolling down his spine at the nearly painful sensation over his cock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Did I hurt you?” he asked against her skin.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe hummed, a content purring sound that told him he’d done no such thing. Still, she spoke softly against his hair, reassuring him that he’d given her as much pleasure as he’d taken.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThough he hated to move, he knew he was crushing her. Carefully he pushed himself up and then withdrew from her body. Damn but he was still hard.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe reached up to untie her and then rolled away to discard the condom. When he moved back, she immediately curled into him all soft and limber. Her hands moved over his body almost frantically, as if being denied the ability to touch him had made her all the more desperate to do so now.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe caught one of her hands and tugged it down until her fingers circled his cock.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“See what you do to me? I shouldn’t be hard again for two weeks after that, but I seem to stay that way around you.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe laughed softly and ran her hand up and down his length, exploring every inch.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Think he’ll wait long enough for me to grab a shower? Do you mind?” Her nose wrinkled in distaste. “I smell like beer.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe nuzzled her neck, licking over her pulse. “You smell wonderful, but yeah, go get a shower.” He felt a twinge of guilt for having ambushed her as soon as she’d walked in. He should have let her shower and rest. She’d been on her feet the entire evening.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe reached up and kissed him before rolling away. He watched her, enjoying the gentle sway of her hips and ass as she walked naked to the bathroom.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe was one hundred percent woman. Soft and feminine, with curves in all the right places. She was everything his job wasn’t, and maybe that’s why she appealed so strongly to him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe lay there for a long moment, and finally after five  minutes, he figured he’d given her enough time to wash. If she hadn’t, he’d finish the job for her.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe got off the bed and went into the bathroom, where the steam from the shower had already fogged the mirror. She was standing motionless in the shower, her body blurred by the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt was enough to send his blood roaring to life. God almighty but he couldn’t explain her effect on him. It was crazy and left him feeling unbalanced.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe opened the door, and before she could turn around, he slipped into the shower with her, his body molding to hers. She started to turn, but he stopped her, holding her still.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe lowered his mouth to her neck, where little droplets of water beaded and rolled down her skin. Her knees buckled and she threatened to fall when his teeth sank into the slim column of her throat. He caught her and held her tight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Put your hands on the wall.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe put her palms on the tile and slid them up until her arms were above her head. He arched against her then reached down and hooked her right leg with his hand. He pulled up, lifting her while he held her steady with his other arm.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhile the water beat down on them, he thrust into her, finding her warmth all over again. It was never enough. It would never be enough.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the back of his mind, a warning flashed. He hadn’t used a condom, but he was lost in the feel of her silky heat against his bare flesh. His mind screamed stupid, but the male roared that she was his and he’d take what was his.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe tightened around him. Her fingers curled into fists against the shower wall. She threw her head back, arching into him as he marked her neck with his mouth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt was primitive and hard core. It puzzled him even as he knew it couldn’t be explained.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Mine,” he whispered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHis release when it came was quicksilver. A lightning flash that was intense and painful and had him arching to tiptoe as he strained to get deeper.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe made a small sound, and her hands slid down the walls as if she’d lost any remaining strength. She sagged and he caught her gently to him. He was filled with an odd tenderness as he reached up to turn the water off and then settled her into his arms.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe stepped from the shower and put her down long enough to wrap a towel around her. For a long time they stood there, her forehead resting on his chest as they both tried to catch up.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe snuggled sleepily into his arms, and again, guilt assailed him as he imagined how tired she must be. He kissed the top of her head.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Let’s go get some sleep. You’re exhausted.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe turned her face up to his and smiled even as her eyelids drooped. Then she rose up on tiptoe to curl her arms around his neck.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Take me to bed,” she whispered.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCHAPTER 2\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSAM woke with Sophie in the crook of his arm, her head resting on his shoulder. He was tempted to roll over and slide between her legs and wake them both up with a quick orgasm. But she looked tired and a little fragile, like maybe she’d had a rough night at work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe pulled her closer and ran the tips of his fingers up and down her arm. The strands of hair closest to his mouth fluttered with his every breath, and he hooked a finger around them to pull them away from her cheek.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHer eyelids fluttered and opened, and sleepy blue eyes stared back at him.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Good morning,” he murmured\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe responded by snuggling deeper into his side. Her sigh was all he heard, and her arm crept around his waist, linking them tighter together.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe chuckled lightly and kissed the top of her head. “Content?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Mmm hmmm.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt was easy here in this hotel room. Everything else seemed a world away and they were removed from reality. He wasn’t stupid enough to embrace that, but it was nice, just for a while, to get a sense that the only thing that mattered was right here and right now.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Feel like eating something?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eShe raised her head. “What time is it?”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Seven.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBefore she could respond, a knock sounded at the door. What the hell? He frowned, then eased from underneath Sophie.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“Stay here and out of sight.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eHe yanked his jeans on and went to the door, opening it just a crack. The man from the front desk stood there holding a sealed envelope.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e“For you, señor. It was marked as urgent.”\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSam took the envelope. “Thank you.” He closed the door and turned the envelope over in his hand. It didn’t have a name, but then he hadn’t used his real name here. It was only marked “304 Urgent.” Underlined three times.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Berkley","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46303279808741,"sku":"NP9780425238196","price":9.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1842\/7735\/files\/9780425238196.jpg?v=1767733821","url":"https:\/\/k12savings.com\/es\/products\/no-place-to-run-isbn-9780425238196","provider":"K12savings","version":"1.0","type":"link"}