Release Day Blitz: EXTREME MEASURES by Elisabeth Naughton‏ #Excerpt

EXTREME MEASURES

Aegis Security #1

by Elisabeth Naughton

Publication: July 8, 2014

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Being prepared for any scenario is the trademark of any good CIA operative, and Eve Wolfe is one of the best. But when her latest mission literally explodes in her face, she wakes up labeled a traitor and—even more surprising—in the custody of elite Aegis Security operative and ex-lover Zane Archer. Although she still secretly has feelings for Zane, he’s now demanding the one thing that she can’t give him: the truth.

When he caught her breaking the rules years ago, Zane let Eve walk away without an explanation. Now someone has not only sabotaged Aegis but also turned an American city into a war zone, and all signs point to Eve. Zane needs answers that can come only from Eve’s still-tempting lips, and he finally has the elusive operative right where he wants her—at his mercy.

“I need to look at your shoulder again before you lay down,” she said at his back.

He didn't answer, just found the closest bedroom and pulled her inside. Closing the door with his boot, he tugged off his jacket and tossed it on a chair to his right, then did the same with his T-shirt and pulled her toward the bed.

“Impatient, aren't you?” she mumbled. He set the bag of supplies they’d picked up on the bed beside him while she shrugged out of her sweatshirt, dropped it on the ground, then began gently peeling away his bandages.

Zane closed his eyes and drew in a deep breath. “I’m a man, darlin’.  We’re always impatient.”

“I remember. This actually looks pretty good. I’m just going to change the dressing.”

He didn't want to think about what she remembered. He had enough memories pinging around in his brains for both of them—and most were the X-rated variety. He sat still while she removed the soaked bandages, added antibiotic ointment and covered the wound again. But his stomach clenched every time her soft fingers grazed his skin, and with every breath he drew, a whiff of that sweet peach scent bombarded him, amping his awareness and sending blood straight to his groin.

“There,” she said, placing the last piece of tape over the wound. “Now you just need to take these before you pass out and you should be good.” She handed him two pills from the bottle they’d picked up at the pet store and stepped away.

He snagged her by the wrist. “Where do you think you’re going?”

“To get you a glass of water.”

“No water.” He popped the pills in his mouth and dry swallowed them.

There was just enough light coming through the window to see her exasperated expression. “Wow. What a stud you are.”

He ignored the sarcasm and patted the mattress beside him. “Get comfortable, sweetheart.”

She sighed. “Look, Archer. I—”

He jerked her toward him. A yelp slipped from her lips just before she fell into his body. Heat immediately enveloped him, but he quickly flipped her to her back, then climbed over her.

“Archer—”

Her warning was laced with just a touch of fear. Just enough to tell him he’d surprised her. And considering nothing seemed to surprise this woman, he was using that to his advantage.

He grasped both of her arms at the wrists and pinned them above her head. Pain ricocheted from his shoulder down his arm and back up again, but he ignored it. Just like he tried to ignore her trim hips locked between his knees and the way the light from the window spilled over her breasts and bare abdomen in that revealing top. “Here’s how this is going to work, sweetheart. I’m going to close my eyes for a few hours and you’re going to stay right here beside me where I know you can’t get into any trouble. Then, when I wake, I’ll call Carter and we can both be rid of each other for good.”

She pursed her lips and lifted her chin, a clear challenge glinting in her eyes. “I’d like to be rid of you right now.”

“Too bad. You’re stuck with me.” He lowered his weight onto hers, let go of one arm and cinched the zip tie hidden in his hand around her wrist.

“Archer… What the hell?”

Zane looped the second zip tie through hers, tightened it around his own wrist, then rolled off her onto his back and drew in a deep breath.

“Oh, my God.” She sat upright. “You did not just do that. Where the fuck did you get more zip ties?”

He yanked on her arm until his lowered back to the bed. “I stole them. You’re not the only one who can filch goods unnoticed, beautiful.” He relaxed back into the pillows and closed his eyes. “Now lie down.”

“You are so gonna pay for this.”

He didn't need to see the smoke pumping from her ears to know it was there. He could hear it in her voice and feel it in the heat radiating from her skin. A wry smile curled his lips. “I figure I’m already doing time in purgatory, thanks to you. A few more years won’t kill me.”

“And to think,” Eve snapped as she flopped back onto the bed, “I was actually worried about you.”

Zane’s humor faded. “We both know you weren't worried. You were just biding your time until you could run. I’m not a stupid southern hick, sweetheart. Now shut up so I can get some sleep.”

“Don’t mind me,” she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest and dragging his hand with her. “I’ll just be sitting here plotting all the ways I can murder you in your sleep.”

He chuckled. Now that was the feisty brunette he remembered. “Just do it quietly. I’m beat.”

She let out a long, frustrated sigh, but the sound didn't irritate Zane like it should, instead it relaxed him. And man, either he was seriously losing it or all those drugs had finally fried his gray matter. Because lying next to his archenemy, feeling her heat and smelling her soft, arousing scent, he suddenly wasn't focused on revenge. Losing himself in all her softness sounded a hell of a lot better. And more fun. And, holy hell, way more fucking erotic.

He just wasn't sure what to do about it.