Trapped In Shadow (Shadow Walker Romance Series Book 4) by Caryn Moya Block Read Free Book Online Page A

shuddered remembering how afraid she’d been. Hugh was her partner, her guardian angel. In coming to save her, she’d almost lost him.
    She’d dragged him into Shadow and visualized the military hospital that handled government employees. Hugh had been rushed into surgery. He’d almost died. She’d kept tabs on him while he healed from the injuries five years ago and then never stopped. She loved him. When he went home, she’d never see him again, or so she thought.
    For a while the doctors said he’d never walk again. Then the old shaman, Isanti Quiet Thunder showed up at the military hospital. Hugh requested transfer to the Isanti clinic and left the general’s team.
    It was soon after that, when she felt so alone, that her father asked her to go deep undercover as Stinger. Stacey didn’t have time for thinking about Hugh and what might’ve been. The extremely dangerous assignment was all consuming. It lasted almost four years. Even now she was occasionally called upon to reactivate the Stinger persona in the service of her government. At least she thought it was her government. If what Nadezhda said was true, it could have been in service to Zenith.
    “What are you thinking about so hard?” Hugh asked, his voice soft.
    Stacey smiled up at him, her finger still circling the scar from the bullet wound.
    “How do you know I’m thinking hard?”
    “You get this little crinkle between your eyes.” Hugh ran his finger lightly over her forehead and then down her nose. “Tell me.”
    Stacey shrugged. “You, me, life.”
    Hugh kissed her gently. “You are fantastic and I love you. I didn’t realize how much until you walked back into my life and Derek’s kitchen. Me, I need a shower and food, but first I need to kiss you again, and life is good because you’re here with me.”
    Could it be that simple? He kissed her, his lips insistent, his tongue asking for entrance. She opened for him, feeling her body flush with heat. She trembled and wrapped her arms around his neck. Hugh groaned and took the kiss deeper. His hands cupped her face, angling her head for deeper penetration. Their tongues tangled. Someone knocked on the door.
    Stacey didn’t understand what the sound meant. Hugh held her. Kissed her. Her body went up in flames. She ran her fingers through his dark hair enjoying the silky feel. More pounding came from the door.
    Hugh slowed and then pulled back. “I think someone wants in.”
    Insistent knocking sounded again. Stacey blinked, the noise finally entering her brain. She tingled all over.
    “Uh huh.” She smiled.
    “I’ll get it.”
    Hugh kissed her on the nose and removed her arms from around his neck. Stacey couldn’t help but pout now that she was all revved up. Hugh rolled from the bed and grabbed a robe out of the bathroom. It was hard to miss his tented briefs. At least the feeling was mutual. Stacey seriously considered killing whoever was at the door.
    Hugh spoke softly to someone and then walked back in carrying a tray. He set it on the table and winked at her.
    “Breakfast is served. I planned to eat other delicacies this morning, but we’re expected in the briefing room in thirty minutes.”
    The smile left Stacey’s face. She’d actually thought they had time to spend together. Brushing a hand over her eyes, she scooted to the end of the bed. Why did she feel like crying all of a sudden? This was her life, one mission after another to accomplish, or die trying. It never stopped.
    She stood and walked stiffly to the table. Before she could sit, Hugh pulled her into his arms.
    “I’m sorry we got interrupted, but this is going to happen. I’m going to love you until you can’t ever comprehend leaving me again.” He kissed her lightly on the mouth and then each eye and finished with her nose. “All you’ve gotten is a reprieve, not a pardon.”
    Hugh’s warm hands wandered up her back, holding her close, sharing his warmth. She nodded. It would be all right.
    “Eat,