Valor on the Move

“I guess so.”

Chris said, “Look, they’re sending up a tray for you with one of your favorites, and you should sleep for a few hours.”

“I don’t think I can sleep. I can definitely eat, though.”

But after he scarfed down a plate of French toast, sausage, and eggs, Rafa’s eyes drooped uncontrollably and he curled under his duvet. Just for twenty minutes…

“Raf?”

He blinked to find Ashleigh sitting beside him on the bed. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her blonde hair was yanked back in a ponytail. “Ash. You made it. What time is it?”

“Just after four.”

“You didn’t have to come.” He sat up and hugged her close.

“Sure, I was just going to stay in Paris drinking lattes and schlepping pantyhose and shoes to photoshoots while you died a horrible death at the hands of terrorists.” She clung to him, sniffling.

“Hey, hey. I’m okay.” He pulled back and cupped her cheek. “No crying.”

She rolled her eyes. “I know, but I can’t stop. Jesus, that flight was the longest eight and a half hours of my life. The stupid in-flight wireless wouldn’t work, and I had no idea what was happening. I snotted all over those poor agents who picked me up when they told me you were okay. And there were cameras everywhere, so I’m sure my awesome crying face has been captured for posterity.”

He gave her a kiss and hugged her again. “I’m sorry you were so worried. I love you too.”

“Are you really okay?” Her voice was muffled in his bathrobe. “Fuck, Raf. That must have been terrifying.”

He sat back. “Yeah. It was bad.” His breath caught as he remembered the box, but his heart slowed when he thought of Shane lifting him out. “But Shane saved me. One of the agents on my detail.”

Her gaze narrowed. “Wait…is he?”

“What?” Rafa realized he was smiling, but he couldn’t stop himself.

After her jaw dropped, Ashleigh hissed, “He’s the Harley, isn’t he?”

Biting his lip, Rafa nodded.

“Holy shit!” she exclaimed, and then slapped her hand over her mouth. She lowered her voice. “Your family is circling out there like sharks. Well, worried, well-intentioned sharks. That wasn’t a criticism. What I’m trying to say is they’re right outside. Okay, tell me everything. Everything.” She whispered, “This is the guy you kissed?”

“Uh-huh. Shane.”

“And after you kissed him, everything went back to Secret Service business as usual?”

“Yeah. It was the worst.”

“I bet. But he saved you? That’s pretty awesome.”

“They fired at his head, but they missed and it only grazed him.”

She gasped. “Whoa. And then what?”

“He followed us. I was in the back of a van. They put me in this box.” He swallowed thickly. “It was awful.”

“Oh God.” She took his hand, holding it tight. “I’m so glad you’re okay.”

“Me too. So Shane killed them and got me out of the box.” Rafa lowered his voice even more. “And he kissed me.”

“Shut up! Holy crap. Keep going!”

“But then more of them came, and we had to run through the woods. There was a little cave, and we hid inside. Shane had a machine gun, and he waited for them. I guess he killed them all, but there was a rockslide, and we got stuck in the cave. The entrance was blocked.”

Nodding, Ashleigh listened, her puffy eyes wide.

Rafa leaned closer, keeping his voice low. “And I figured, fuck it. If I was going to die, I was going to kiss him again. Shit, Ash. It was amazing. I was on his lap, and it was pitch black, so we could only feel each other, and hear, and…” He tingled just thinking about it, his groin tightening.

“Oh. My. God,” she breathed. “You had sex with your agent.”

Rafa couldn’t stop his grin. “Yeah,” he whispered. “Well, a hand job. But it was amazing. Just kissing him was amazing. I like him so much. Talking to him is just…it’s so easy.”

She grinned back. “You’re totally in love with him.”

“I am.” He breathed deeply, and the certainty filled him completely. “I really am. Is it weird that getting kidnapped was simultaneously the worst and best night of my life? I’m a terrible person. My other agent might die, and everyone was so worried.”

“You’re not a terrible person. You’re allowed to be happy about a good thing even when other stuff sucks.” She hugged him. “Just don’t ever get kidnapped again, okay?”

“Deal.” His heart dropped, and he sat back. “Oh, and there’s one other thing. I kind of came out to my family, but they’d already figured it out.”

She nodded. “Chris warned me. That’s rough—to say the least—about your dad and that fucking bill. But I think it’s a good thing they know for sure now.”

“But we had a plan. What about your parents?”

“I’ll go see them tomorrow.” Her smile faltered. “They’re going to react how they’ll react. Whether it’s tomorrow or January. It is what it is. Maybe I should get kidnapped afterward so they realize they love me even if I’m a big ol’ dyke.” She laughed weakly. “I guess it’s good to find out now if I’m still going to have a family after they know the truth.” She rolled off the bed to her feet. “Let me grab a shower.”