The Midnight Hour - Brenda Jackson [23]
"Don't worry, Tori, you'll get your piece of the action. Just stay safe."
She nodded. "You stay safe, too."
After gaining entrance inside the building through a side door the informant had left unlocked, Drake and Tori were crouched down between the crevices of a wall and had been for over twenty minutes. They had heard voices; loud, angered and raised voices being spoken in rapid Spanish, but not too rapid for Drake to decipher what was being said.
"Damn," he muttered and behind him, pressed close to him, Tori could feel his muscles tense. Being this close to him, with her face nearly plastered to his back, she felt his muscles, tight and hard. Somehow heat was penetrating through the protective vests they were both wearing. She also inhaled the manly scent of him and it made her feel warm inside, heated, and for a brief moment she was able to shift her concentration off her muscles that were aching from being in the same position for so long, to the man whose back was braced against her chest.
"What is it?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. Even with her fluency of Spanish, she hadn't been able to fully translate what was being said.
"We've got to move fast," Drake whispered back. "Someone just called to say they think the wrong girl was taken, but orders were given for them to sit tight until they find out for sure. We need to have her out of here before they get another call."
Tori nodded. Time was not on their side. When footsteps sounded in their direction they held their breath then let it back out when the sound went away. Drake moved his body just a fraction, as much as their tight position could allow, and looked over his shoulder for his gaze to meet hers. "Let's do it."
But seconds ticked by and he didn't move as their gazes locked. He merely met her gaze. Then slowly he reached up and touched the side of her mouth with his fingers. Tori sucked in a deep breath when his gloved hand slipped away and he bent and lowered his head and whispered against her ear. At the same time she felt the casual brush of his hand against her thigh. "As much as I didn't want one, you make one hell of a partner, Tori."
She met his eyes, almost drowning in their dark depth. "Thanks."
Tori's heart stopped beating and for one earthshaking moment she wondered if he would kiss her and felt a tinge of disappointment when he pulled back and slowly stood, straightening his tall form. Tension grabbed her stomach tight when she also stood, coming to her feet beside him.
"Let's get this show on the road," he muttered low, somewhat angrily to her ears.
They moved together in well-orchestrated silence, two black-clad figures whose senses were keen, minds were alert, and sight sharp. Adrenaline flowed through their veins as they tensed for action, braced for danger. They backed up against a wall when they heard noise coming from a room at the top of the stairs that was followed by the sound of doors opening and closing. Tori knew that everything about this rescue had to be perfectly timed, especially the drugging of the men guarding Robin.
Tori couldn't help but admire Drake's outwardly calm demeanor. He had gone into his remote mode and she knew that the only thing on his mind, his total concentration was in getting the job done.
Seconds ticked by and then it was quiet again. Drake and Tori moved slowly, cautiously up the stairs. According to their information, Robin Thomas was being held in a room at the end of a hall.
Tori's nostrils flared with the scent of Drake every time she drew her breath. It was a masculine scent, robust, hot, sweaty, and she shivered in reflex to it. Her body was