Finding the Way Back: A Stealth Ops Novel
Page 33
She shouldn’t have been nervous since it wasn’t a real date—only her friend taking her to the dance. But as she’d walked toward that door, every hair on her body stood. Maybe he’d see her as a woman and not the broken-hearted girl he’d been kissing while her mother had jumped in front of a bullet.
She’d felt like Cinderella in the remake Ever After as she’d whispered the line from the movie, “just breathe,” before opening the door to greet him.
Knox had been standing casually on her porch, devastatingly handsome in a black tux, a pink corsage cradled in his hand, brown eyes dipping down, a slow journey back up.
A million butterflies had taken flight in her stomach when he’d said, “Wow. The guys are going to go crazy when they see you. Thank God I’m here to protect you from them.” He’d stepped forward, a massive smile stretching his lips. Dimples deepening.
“You’re here to protect me?” She’d done her best to hide the slouch of her shoulders at his words. “I should’ve known.”
Deleted Scene 2: Flashback to her date with Calloway
Calloway had copped a feel. Stolen a few kisses. But something had been missing with him. She’d figured it had to be the work thing standing in her way. It couldn’t be Knox. But when he’d shown up at the bar on her fifth date with Calloway, she’d been relieved to hear her best friend’s voice.
“What are you doing here?” She’d hopped off her stool and slung her arms around Knox, and he’d planted a warm kiss on her cheek.
A heavy throat clear nearby had reminded her of Calloway’s presence.
“You use that friend finder app thingy?” She’d stepped back and pointed to Knox’s pocket and smiled.
“I just got to town, and you weren’t home.”
It’d been Knox’s idea to turn on the app whenever she was on a date in case she needed an emergency extract.
“Ever heard of a phone call?” Calloway had stood, directing his attention to Knox. “Aren’t you Isaiah Bennett’s son?”
“Yeah,” Knox had said, his eyes still on her. “It’s been too long.”
It’d been three months since they’d seen each other, and she hadn’t wanted to waste a minute of his surprise visit, which meant Calloway had to go.
“I’m sorry,” she’d said, turning to face her date. “I’ll need to cut this night short.”
Knox had reached into his pocket. “I’ll cover the tab.”
Calloway’s jaw had tightened, surprise in his eyes. “Adriana.”
She’d walked him out to keep from feeling like a complete jerk, apologized a few times, then hurried back into the bar at full speed and had leaped into Knox’s arms.
He’d guided her legs around his waist, and his hands had slid to her butt to hold her in place.
“I really did miss you.” She’d brought her forehead to his. “How long are you in town for?”
“Only one night. I didn’t mean to interrupt but—”
“You totally did!” She’d rolled her eyes as she lowered her feet to the ground and motioned for him to sit.
“What date number was this?”
She’d held a palm up to display five fingers. “But he’d never make it to eight, so the interruption was probably needed.”
Eight dates before she agreed to have sex with a guy. Eight didn’t guarantee sex, but it was another hard and fast rule of hers not to have it any sooner.
“He Secret Service?” He arched a brow and popped a peanut in his mouth.
“Yes, and he’ll be the last one I date.”
“You mentioned you were seeing someone, but you didn’t say you worked together.” His palms had moved to his lap, and his eyes held hers. Dark. Deep. Penetrating. Soul-seeing eyes.
“Because I knew you’d give me a hard time.” And maybe she should have so that he could’ve saved her from disappointing Calloway. “So, where were you before here?”
“Eastern Asia.” Generic. And typical. “So, what’s it gonna be tonight? A movie or tequila? Or our buddy Jack?”
She’d laughed. “How about all three?”
“Trying to get me drunk and take advantage of me, huh?”
“You wish.” She’d picked up an unshelled peanut and thrown it at his muscular chest.
He hadn’t responded. His lips had fallen flat for the briefest of moments.
Deleted Scene 3: Memory of their first kiss
“You’re too young.”
“I’m not that young.”
He’d brushed a strand of her dark locks away from her face and palmed her cheek. “Two years at our age is like an eternity.”
“I have experience,” she’d lied and leaned into his touch. Unable to believe the moment she’d been dreaming about for six weeks—ever since she’d seen him walking through the halls at school—was actually happening.
Charlie Bennett had stood inches away with his hand on her face, a look of desire in his eyes. Desire for her and not the pack of cheerleaders always flanking his sides at school, begging for his attention.
His lips had split into a gorgeous, slightly mischievous smile. “You’re fifteen. I’m seventeen. And I’m just no good for you.”
“So kiss me anyway.”
Deleted Scene 4: From chapter thirteen
He’d been seventeen again in that room with her tonight, transported back to a time when fewer obstacles stood between them. Sure, the night they met, he’d thought there were a million reasons why he shouldn’t be with her, but the moment his tongue touched hers, every last one had disappeared. Well, until the call came that forever changed her life.
If it weren’t for the physical distance that kept them separated—first, it was college, then the Navy, and now traveling with the teams—he would have chased after more of her drugging kisses. Persisting until he’d made it to what Adriana referred to as “second base” and on to score a home run.
His lips crooked into a smile at the thought of her teasing him for using a baseball analogy. She’d bat her lashes and playfully swat him on the chest. He’d secure a loose grip around her wrist and fight like hell with himself to keep from going after what he’d wanted since the moment she’d walked onto their high school grounds.
**Continue for the music playlist!
Playlist
Old Town Road (feat. Billy Ray Cyrus) - Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus
Get Along - Kenny Chesney (Ch. 17)
Sugar - Maroon 5
Roar - Katy Perry
Dancing On My Own - Calum Scott
You are the Reason - Calum Scott (Epilogue)
One Kiss (with Dua Lipa) - Calvin Harris, Due Lipa
Meant to Be - Florida Georgia Line, Bebe Rexha (Epilogue)
I don’t Care (with Justin Bieber) - Ed Sheeran, Justin Bieber
Whatever It Takes - Imagine Dragons
Spotify Playlist
Also by Brittney Sahin
Ready for more Bravo & Echo? Stealth Ops: Echo Team (Books 1-5) will be out next. To get the latest news and updates be sure to subscribe to my newsletter or join Brittney’s Book Babes / the Stealth Ops Spoiler Room.
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A Stealth Ops World Guide is now available on my website, which features more information about the team, character muses, and SEAL lingo.
Also, check out this handy reading guide.
Hidden Truths
The Safe Bet – Begin the series with the Man-of-Steel lookalike Michael Maddox.
Beyond the Chase - Fall for the sexy Irishman, Aiden O’Connor, in this romantic suspense.
The Hard Truth – Read Connor Matthews’ story in this second-chance romantic suspense novel.
Surviving the Fall – Jake Summers loses the last 12 years of his life in this action-packed romantic thriller.
The Final Goodbye - Friends-to-lovers romantic mystery
Stealth Ops Series: Bravo Team
Finding His Mark - Luke & Eva
Finding Justice - Owen & Samantha
Finding the Fight - Asher & Jessica
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br /> Finding Her Chance - Liam & Emily
Finding the Way Back - Knox & Adriana
Becoming Us
Someone Like You - A former Navy SEAL. A father. And off-limits. (Noah Dalton)
My Every Breath - A sizzling and suspenseful romance. Businessman Cade King has fallen for the wrong woman. She’s the daughter of a hitman - and he’s the target.
Dublin Nights
On the Edge - Travel to Dublin and get swept up in this romantic suspense starring an Irish businessman by day…and fighter by night.
On the Line - novella
Stand-alone (with a connection to On the Edge):
The Story of Us– Sports columnist Maggie Lane has 1 rule: never fall for a player. One mistaken kiss with Italian soccer star Marco Valenti changes everything…
Where Else To Find Me
Thank you for reading Knox and Adriana’s story. If you don’t mind taking a minute to leave a short review, I would greatly appreciate it. Reviews are incredibly helpful to keeping the series going. Thank you!
www.brittneysahin.com
brittneysahin@emkomedia.net
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Stealth Ops Spoiler Room