Code Name Sentinel (Jameson Force Security 2)

I don’t want this to be over. Yet, I don’t know what awaits us back in the normal world.

“Have you ever just sat around and done nothing?” Cruce asks, jolting me out of my reverie. He reels in his line, pulls it all the way out of the water, then sits the pole on the dock beside him.

“Huh?”

“You said you feel guilty,” he reminds me, compounding said guilt not only for sitting here doing nothing, but also for disobeying the rules that were put in place to keep me safe. “Have you never truly just relaxed?”

Putting my hands on the dock slightly behind me, I lean back, lifting my face to the sun for a moment. I tip my head to the right, settling my gaze on him before I answer.

He’s so handsome. So good and attentive and sexy and genuine. I owe my life to him, as well as all the ways in which I’ve changed over our time together.

Slowly, I shake my head. “No. I’ve never just done this, and I need to thank you.”

“Why?” he asks as he rolls to lay fully on the deck.

I follow suit, sliding my hand over to find his and turning my face back to the sun as I close my eyes against the brightness. Our fingers link. “Thank you for making me see the pleasure in just laying here on a hot wooden dock on a sunny day while doing nothing. Thank you for making me slow down sometimes.”

He rubs his thumb over the back of my hand. “Promise me you’ll continue to do this back in the real world.”

“Won’t be as fun without you,” I reply, internally wincing when I realize saying that may be way too forward.

Too clingy? Needy? Girlie? Desperate?

His hand jumps in mine slightly before he locks onto me with a tight squeeze. It’s enough to make me turn my head, the hard wood of the dock hurting my skull, as I open my eyes.

He stares straight at me. “Wouldn’t want to deprive you of fun.”

Hope swells within me, and my lips curve upward. “Really?”

Cruce gives a careless shrug. “I mean… you’re all right to hang out with.”

I pull my hand free of his, only to use it to pop him in the stomach. He curls up, grabbing onto his stomach, and looks pained. Smiling, I only roll my eyes. I hadn’t hit him hard.

Grinning, he leans over and puts a palm on the nape of my neck, pulling me up into a sitting position. His mouth touches mine, and I can’t help but sigh into the kiss.

If feels so damn right.

I feel like I belong to him.

It’s hard… ignoring the twinge of guilt over not telling him what I did by getting online contrary to specific orders. But that was almost twenty-four hours ago, and nothing bad has happened. I was online for no more than two minutes total, if that.

It seems like everything is working out to achieve my dreams. My bonus is Cruce. I’ve made something with him that he wants to continue to explore.

The kiss deepens. I bring my hand to his wrist, locking on tight to hold him there forever.

“Can we make a deal?” he asks, practically groaning the question into my mouth.

“Mmm?”

“You never wear bathing suits again when we’re at the beach or poolside together. Just lingerie. And the more see-through the better.”

Giggling, I pull away from him slightly. His eyes are sparkling in the sun as he grins. “I am not dressing like this in public.”

“Then maybe I’ll just keep you on a private island all the time,” he suggests.

“I could get on board with that,” I muse, bringing my finger to my lips and coyly peeking up at him.

“Could you get on board with me taking that little white lacy number off you right now?” he asks, his voice rumbling with desire. Gaze dropping to my chest, he skims his finger along the edge of the lace cup, sending shivers up my spine.

“What if a tour helicopter flies over?” I ask.

“I’m in the ‘don’t give a fuck phase’ of this idea,” he replies gruffly, his hand now moving to the clasp at the front to unhook it.

Wantonly arching my back, I push my breasts up and out, giving him access to do whatever he wants.

Just before he unsnaps my bra, the satellite phone on the dock next to us rings.

Cruce groans, dropping his forehead to mine for a second, before he sighs and rolls away from me. He reaches out, nabs the phone, and taps the button to connect it. Pushing another to put it on speakerphone, he puts it between us.

We’ve been waiting for this call from Kynan to tell us what our fate is. Can we come home or are we stuck out here until some testing can be done?