Fearless Hero

Brady.

He’d come back to me.

I leapt up from my seat and practically bolted across the yard at him. He caught me, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around with a bear hug, his warm laughter ringing through the air. “Told you I couldn’t stay away from you,” he said.

Not even giving me a chance to respond, he kissed me—a long, passionate, lingering kiss that almost left me breathless right on the spot.

When we separated, he grabbed my hand, letting our fingers intertwine as we headed to the beach chair I’d been sitting on. He sat down first, and then pulled me into his lap.

“What are you doing here?” I asked. “Shouldn’t you be with my father?”

“I switched with Wallace for tonight,” Brady said, although he didn’t quite meet my eyes.

“So Wallace is going to my father’s right now?”

“Yeah.”

“And what about you? Are you going to be reassigned to me…permanently?”

“I…I don’t know. I’d like to, but I have to do what I’m told. They say your father needs me more at the moment. We’re just switching detail for tonight right now. Your father wants me to personally check on you every now and then.”

I nodded. “Yeah. I understand. I’m glad you’re with him. I know he’ll be safe with you.”

Brady smiled and twirled my hair with his fingers. He then brushed it aside, making it fall over one shoulder. He kissed the back of my neck, making my body tingle all over. “I’ve missed you so much,” he murmured against my skin.

“I missed you too.”

“So what were you doing out here all alone?”

“Just relaxing, trying not to think about how much I want you.”

“Oh yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Damn. I was hoping you were about to go skinny dipping.”

I tossed my head back and laughed. “With Wallace waiting in the house? I don’t think so.”

Brady grinned, that devilish look I loved so much spreading across his face. “Well, Wallace isn’t here anymore…”

“So what are you implying, Mr. Logan?” I asked, smiling slyly and pressing my forehead to his.

He encircled my waist with his muscular arms. “I’m saying the water looks awfully enticing.”

“Why don’t you show me how enticing it is?”

“Hmm…I think I will.”

Brady slid from under me and stood up. Glancing at me over his shoulders with a smirk, he pulled his shirt over his head with one clean and swift motion. Then he tossed off his shoes. “Aren’t you going to join me?” he asked.

I sat back in the chair. “I just want to appreciate the view for now.”

Brady folded his arms.

I laughed. “Please continue.”

I bit my lip as he unfastened his belt and let it fall to the ground. He then pulled his jeans down. Stepping out of them, he stood before me in his black boxers. My heart skipped a beat and I bit my lip in anticipation.