Quadruple Duty
Page 49
“Yeah, well I’m sure you’ll handle it,” he said with a wink. “You’re good at handling big things.”
“Hilarious.”
“And you know you way around this house better than any of us, that’s for sure. Hell, you even knew about that secret panel under the staircase.”
“You mean the closet?” I chuckled.
He scratched at his missing beard. “Is that what it’s called? There could’ve been piles of gold bars in there and we would never have known.”
“Sorry,” I lamented. “Only cobwebs.”
Dakota came bouncing in, grinning as always like a kid who’d just hit a home run. He kissed me on his way through the kitchen, leaving me with the vague flavor of toothpaste.
“Morning sunshine!”
He was wearing the same fatigues as Kyle, his boots laced tightly. He had his cap on too.
“You guys going somewhere?”
Kyle nodded. “We’re gonna be out all day,” he said. “Logistics training. Hopefully we’ll make dinner, but don’t wait up for us.”
I watched as Dakota poured himself a giant glass of orange juice. Knowing he’d just brushed his teeth, I winced.
“Ryan’s not here either,” Kyle added. “Flew out last night, gone until next weekend.” He looked at me as if expecting an answer. “You going to be alright?”
I had to laugh. “All by my little lonesome self?” I teased. “Yes, of course I am.”
“Good,” he smiled. “Sorry, we were looking forward to spending time with you today. The both of us. But shit came up.”
“Shit always comes up!” Dakota called happily, licking his lips. He’d already drained half a glass of the thick pulpy liquid.
“So I’ll see you tonight?”
“Bet on it.”
Kyle stepped in and kissed me, grabbing my hips again but this time from the front. I laid my hands over his, tilting my head back to drink him in. His strong fingers gave me a suggestive squeeze before he let go.
“Remember, lock up at 1800. Alarm and all.”
“I will.”
He smiled and stepped outside, leaving me with—
“OH!”
Dakota swept me into his arms like I weighed absolutely nothing, spinning me around in a circle before planting his lips on mine. I felt tiny, crushed against his giant chest, surrounded by his two big arms. And I wasn’t even tiny.
His kiss was longer, more intense. Orangey. Delicious. Full of boundless energy.
“See ya later darlin’.”
He tickled me on the way out and I giggled.
“Bye.”
Twenty-Two
SAMMARA