The Captive's Return (Wingmen Warriors 10)

"De nada. Now come here." He reached for her, gripping her by the waist and lifting.

What was he...?

He plopped her in the middle of the bed and situated himself behind her, his hands on her shoulders. He fit her between his legs, which brought her bottom resting snug right against...

"Lucas?"

"More of the 'morning after' romance pampering stuff." His fingers massaged the base of her neck, grazing lower until his palms pressed along her aching back. Ahhh, what she would have given for the magic of his touch during her pregnancy.;Entre," she answered low.

Twisting the knob, he nudged open the door. Lucia was already tucked in asleep on a cot against the wall, a stark sheet over her.

Sara sat cross-legged on the bed by an open window. He thought about cautioning her to move away, but they were on the inside of a quadrangle layout—safe enough for her to enjoy fresh air from the enclosed courtyard since the air conditioner was on the fritz. He imagined she might feel claustrophobic for a while to come.

He'd spoken with Tomas after the boy's conversation with Sara. Her brother was worried about her and the adjustments ahead. Tomas hadn't doubted for a second what happened to her, a gift of trust Lucas still wished like hell he could have given her from the start.

Sara had been so emphatic when they'd made love about not being pampered. She'd wanted all-out passion, no restraints. He hadn't been difficult to persuade—and damn, he needed to quit thinking about that or he would be hitting the cold shower.

Instead, he leaned in the doorway, amazed at how this woman with her bubbles and strong will had grabbed hold of her fate and broken free for their daughter. Sara had always dazzled him, but in their time apart, she'd matured into one helluva steely woman.

He, however, had lost too much of himself over the past five years to be a better man, when he hadn't been enough for her in the first place. How could he offer her the sensitivity she needed to get through this transition time? Sara herself had said he couldn't be responsible for someone else's heart when he couldn't find his own.

Except he could have sworn he was hearing his in his ears again.

Her head tipped to the side as she watched him watch her. He could feel the heat of her gaze grazing over him, finally pulling from his eyes, down his flight suit to the tips of his boots and up again. "You're you again."

That was good? "I'm sorry about the lack of privacy."

"Me, too. You know I would like to be with you tonight, but, well..." Waving a hand toward their sleeping daughter, Sara shrugged.

"Ditto." Definitely ditto. He may not have much to offer her emotionally, but at least in bed he gave her all she wanted, needed.

Demanded.

He grinned. Then winced, willing down the twitch of arousal.

Lucas pointed to the bowl and straw in her lap. "If that's supper, I think I'll pass."

"Not supper. Although I did eat, I promise. I've been checking my glucose levels faithfully and even received a total okay from the doctor." Smiling, she leaned over the bowl, put the straw between her lips, sucked lightly, straightened....

Blowing a long stream of small, perfect bubbles out the open window.

He shoved away from the door and toed it closed quietly to keep from disturbing Lucia, not thai the little one seemed likely to stir even if a bomb detonated outside. "Where did you find that on a military base?"

"I made it from kitchen dish soap." Straw to her lips again, she launched a barrage of bubbles lofting out the window skyward. "I wanted to make a test batch before trying them with Lucia tomorrow to keep her entertained until it's time to leave."

"Good idea." He scratched the back of his neck, closing the distance between them. "There's a Base Exchange store here, too, where we can pick up clothes for you both."

"The copilot, Darcy, mentioned that. She offered to escort us around." Sara passed a small bag to him.

Huh? He took the bag and peered inside. "Sunflower seeds?"

"I noticed Darcy chews them all the time. When I asked where she got them, she was generous enough to share hers with us. I thought you would like to feed your birds."

The bag gained ten pounds in his hand. In the middle of a crappy day running from maniac gunmen, Sara had thought he would enjoy feeding birds?

She was right. He could use the stress reliever. Did she know that, too?

Embarrassment and more than a little unease sent his voice gruff. "You didn't tell her about my hobby, did you?"