Code Name Sentinel (Jameson Force Security 2)

“Kynan,” Cruce says as he answers. “Got you on speaker. Barrett is here with me.”

“Well, I’ve got some good news and some bad news,” he replies.

Figures.

Cruce gives me an encouraging smile. Somehow, I don’t think he’d mind being stuck here for a bit longer. After that kiss we just shared, not sure I would either.

“We think it’s okay to bring you two home,” Kynan continues. “Although the president wants to talk to his security advisors as he’s worried about the continued threat to Barrett. He’s organizing that now.”

Cruce and I exchange a longer, more meaningful look. Kynan has no clue we’ve just committed to continuing to see each other. That we’re not having an awful time right now. But we can’t stay here forever. We both have lives we need to get back to.

“I’ll have something definitive for you tomorrow,” Kynan promises. “My gut instinct is it will be information on a private charter out of Virgin Gorda. I’d start getting your bags packed.”

“All right, man,” Cruce replies, his tone businesslike. “We’ll hang tight until we talk to you tomorrow.”

“Later,” Kynan mutters, and the call is disconnected with one sharp tone emitted.

Cruce sets the phone down, wincing apologetically. “I know that’s probably not what you wanted to hear.”

“On the contrary,” I reply silkily, wondering if I can pull off the inner seductress within me. I move my hand slowly to the hook Cruce had been so close to touching, and I give it a practiced flick. It pops open, and my breasts spring free. I don’t even have a moment’s embarrassment. By the look on Cruce’s face right now, I actually want to roar in triumph.

“You present a tempting offer, Dr. Alexander,” he murmurs, his eyes pinned on my chest. He’s so adorably sexy when he calls me that, or maybe it’s truly just the expression on his face as if he just found water after a long crawl through the desert.

“It’s all yours for the taking,” I assure him.

He reaches a hand out slowly, then grazes the back of it across one of my nipples. It shrinks, hardens, and stands at attention. “So responsive to me,” he says as if he’s never been more awed in his life.

Staring, he doesn’t make a move, as if he wants to hold on to this small moment of simple appreciation.

“Cruce,” I murmur to get his attention.

It takes a moment for his eyes to slide to up to meet mine, but when they do, I have his undivided attention.

“I’ve never had this before,” I say, motioning between us. “This level of intimacy with a man, I mean.”

He nods, solemnness filling his eyes. “Same. This is new territory for me.”

“Is it real?” I ask. “Or do you think it’s because of the circumstances we’ve been thrust into?”

Cruce peers over the water for a moment. I don’t take it as a means to be evasive. Merely a way to perhaps focus his thoughts.

When his attention returns, it’s with a clarity I recognize. It’s the same expression he had on his face when he shot the man who was going to kidnap me. I can only assume it was the same when he saved my uncle’s life.

Determination.

Acceptance of an apparent truth.

“It’s real,” he says. “As real as it can get between two people.”CHAPTER 18BarrettThe minute Cruce’s hand covers my mouth, I instantly come awake. His other goes to my shoulder where he gives a gentle yet urgent-feeling squeeze. It’s dark and there’s just a small amount of moonlight filtering into the room through the open glass wall.

His voice is low, barely a whisper, but I can hear something within it that makes my blood run cold. “Someone is on the property. The infra-reds have been tripped. I want you to get quietly out of bed and get your shoes on.”

His meaning is clear. We’re going to make a run for it, and there isn’t time for anything but shoes. I’m only wearing one of his t-shirts. I don’t even have on panties. He has on nothing but a pair of boxers. It has to be serious if he’s willing to take flight like that.

Cruce’s hand slides off my mouth, and he takes half a second to press a hard kiss on my lips, which reassures me a little. Then I follow his orders, quickly rolling out of the bed. We meet at the closet, silently putting on our tennis shoes in the moonlight.

It’s as he’s reaching for his holster, which has a loaded gun within, that the bedroom door flies open. I can’t help the scream that comes from my mouth, but it’s cut short by Cruce pushing my chest hard and sending me back into the closet. I’m blinded by a flash of white light, an explosion rattling me so hard I fall to my knees.