Read Online Blacklisted: Blacklist Operations Book #1 by Lauren Devane - Free Book Online Page A

say.
    “What?”
    “A goat. When I looked back at the road, I saw it sitting there. I should have hit it, but…”
    “You didn’t do this on purpose?” Her free hand gestured to the bandaged cut on her head.
    “No,” he said, shaking his head. “I won’t hurt you for being annoying.” His obvious irritation gave her a small measure of joy.
    Sophie didn’t speak for a few minutes, just looked at his face. Dark purple shadows had gathered under his eyes and he looked almost gaunt. Now that she was studying him, she realized that his knuckles were split and swollen. “I think I could use a little more sleep,” she said, even though she wasn’t tired.
    Aidan nodded and laid down next to her. She moved toward the edge of the bed, but his fingers wrapped around her wrist to stop her. “The cuffs will be more comfortable if we stay close.”
    The boat rocked softly under them and the heat of his body lulled Sophie into complacency. Once his breathing was steady and slow, she let herself drift into sleep.
     
    She woke alone hours later, wondering whether the light that came through the window was from the moon or an electric lamp in the corridor. The cabin was small, two square windows covered with half-opened blinds that looked out at the railing above the dark, choppy sea.
    The sheets under her were rough against the back of her legs. Sophie tried to twist around, but her arm was caught over her head. Aidan had slipped his own wrist free of the handcuffs and left the room, left her alone in the dark. She slumped back against the crinkly pillow and took long, shallow breaths, trying to calm herself.
    Though she’d found herself in small, dark places more than once in her life, they still closed in on her. The tight, anxious feeling was worse if she was alone.
    Closing her eyes, she counted her breaths and focused on the rise and fall of her ribcage. When she no longer felt the dark pressing in, terrible and tangible, she distracted herself by planning her upcoming semester. The long summer hadn’t lent itself to academic pursuits and her lecture schedule still wasn’t done.
    Before she could finish, a key turned in the lock and Aidan entered with a tray of food. Instantly her mouth started to water. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d gone more than 24 hours without eating.
    Setting the tray on the side table that was bolted to the floor, he flipped on the light. “Sit up,” he said, popping a straw out of its paper case.
    Sophie struggled uptight until she was able to cross her legs under her body and sit with her back against the headboard. He uncovered the dish on the tray and waves of fragrant steam rolled out to reveal tomato soup, thick and red in a white bowl. Herbs floated on top of it and a wedge of thick, brown bread rested behind the bowl.
    Aidan dipped a spoon into the bowl, stirred and then lifted it to her lips.
    Accepting the offering without a fight, Sophie closed her eyes and moaned as the hot liquid slid down her throat and settled into her aching stomach. It was delicious, creamy and not at all like thin, watery soup from a can. When she opened her eyes, Aidan was staring at her. His eyes had sharpened and his pupils dilated.
    Sophie blushed and shifted, realizing how she must have sounded.
    “I can feed myself,” she insisted, reaching to take the spoon.
    “I think I’d just as soon not arm you with hot liquid, thanks,” Aidan said, dipping the spoon back in and bringing it to her lips again. She scowled, but didn’t protest. The soup was too good to miss out on.
     
    Aidan gave her another bite, hoping that Sophie didn’t notice the massive erection that hardened when she’d moaned.
    Undressing her had been torture. As soon as the captain and his wife had left, cautioning Aidan to keep the head wound clean, he’d been faced with the choice of whether to disrobe her while she slept. Ultimately it seemed like she’d be more comfortable.
    He thought about the mission when he