Drake Sisters 03 - Oceans of Fire

take a little time to set it up, but it could be done.
    So they’re bringing in something that has to use this route because everything is already set.”
    “Like what?”
    “Nikitin deals in violence, Abbey. He has ties to a dozen terrorist groups and he’d take money from any of them.”
    “There’s a coast guard station just a few yards from where your partner was killed. If they were going to do anything involving terrorists wouldn’t they choose a better place to do it?” Abigail was appalled.
    “Why would you make such a leap between art and terrorists?”
    “Because I know Nikitin and I’m certain Prakenskii didn’t know about the hit on Danilov. There’re only one or two things Nikitin wouldn’t use Ilya for. It’s fairly well known in the business he holds terrorists in contempt. He thinks they’re cowards. Nikitin deals with them, but never through Prakenskii. I heard a rumor once Nikitin sent him to a meeting and when the police showed up there were explosives everywhere, guns, and several dead terrorists, but no Prakenskii. How true the story is, I don’t know, but if Nikitin didn’t use Prakenskii to kill my partner, whatever Danilov found out that night involved terrorists.” He didn’t even glance at the house as they drove past and back out onto the main highway.
    “It seems strange that Nikitin would have someone working for him who wouldn’t do everything he wanted. Nikitin seems to be a self-absorbed, very violent man who insists on instant cooperation.”
    “He’s all of those things, Abbey.”
    He sounded tired. She turned her head to look at him. “Are you taking me home?”
    “I want you to come to my place.” He reached for her hand, his thumb sliding over her skin, sending a small shiver down her spine. “I’m renting a small home almost right on the beach.”

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    She shook her head. “I can’t do that.”
    He tightened his grip on her hand as if she might slip away from him. “I was telling you the truth when I said I hadn’t been able to sleep. I get up every hour all night long. Some nights I don’t bother going to bed. I pace around the room and think about calling you and what I’d say when you answered.
    Sometimes I write you letters I don’t bother to send because I know you won’t read them. I’m tired, baushki-bau , and I can’t sleep without holding you. At least lie down with me. I swear I won’t do anything you don’t want me to do.”
    “You know exactly what I’ll want if I’m alone in bed with you. I’ve never been able to resist you, Sasha.”
    “I’m being very honest. Ask me. Ask me how often I’ve slept without you. I need you, Abbey. Come home with me.”

Chapter 12
    ABIGAIL paced through the house. What was she doing there? It didn’t make sense that she’d allowed Aleksandr to take her somewhere they’d be alone. She couldn’t resist him when they were alone. She closed her eyes briefly and stepped out the sliding glass door leading to the lower deck where the hot tub was. The ocean view was spectacular. She could see white spray arc into the air as waves hit long fingers of rocks. It was cool outside, but the stars glittered overhead. She stood for a moment, contemplating whether or not she was strong enough to make love with Aleksandr, hold him all night, and walk away the next morning.
    “What are you doing out here?” Aleksandr came up behind her. “It’s cold, Abbey.”
    “But beautiful. Look at the moon.” She indicated the dazzling silver ball. “We’ve had incredible weather lately.”
    He wrapped his arms around her from behind, nuzzling her hair out of the way so he could kiss the nape of her neck. “Are we going to talk about the weather?”
    She shivered with his touch. “No, I just wanted you to see the night and listen to the ocean. I can hear the singing of the whales sometimes even in the dark.” She turned in his arms and clasped her hands behind his neck. “Do you remember the night you took me up to the roof of your apartment? You said the city appeared to be a place of lights and color, a palace with a thousand secrets like in the Arabian Nights. You wanted to share that with me.”
    His hands stroked over her silken skin, his body and brain imprinted with the memory of her soft curves, her tight heat, her soft cries of surrender. “I remember laying you down on my blanket under the stars and making love to you