Seeking Mr. Wrong
Page 31
“I know, and I’m sorry.”
I’m so taken aback by the apology, my hand drops. He catches it and weaves his fingers through mine.
“Yeah, well.” I try to find the thread of my argument so I can pick it back up again. Ah, yes. Stubborn stupidity. That’s where we were. “And you shouldn’t have even been on that mission in the first place. You weren’t fit to return to duty, and you knew it. You went against protocol and against common sense and, in the process, put every single one of my family members and friends in danger.”
He brings my hand to his lips and drops a kiss on the surface. It’s a very Kit O’Kelly thing to do, and I can’t help being thrilled by it. “I know, and I’m sorry.”
Gah. What is he doing? Doesn’t he realize I’m full of righteous fury over here?
“He would have killed you, Grant,” I say, pulling my last card. “Peter wasn’t about to let you walk off that ship alive. The second the game was over or he found Johnny Francis, your usefulness would have ended. Not even my dad could have saved you from that.”
My throat catches as I picture all the ways in which Grant might have been torn from me.
“I know you didn’t like the way I pulled things off,” I manage, “but it was the only way to get you out of there in one piece. I did what I thought was best for the mission, and I stand by it.”
“I know,” he says one final time. “And I’m sorry.”
By now, I’ve officially run out of steam. All my arguments and all my defenses are gone. “That’s all you’re going to say? That you’re sorry?”
“If you don’t mind, yes. I know I owe you a lot more than that—my gratitude, for starters—but I’ve spent enough time today explaining myself to the director. I took on too much, too soon. I should have never attempted the mission. I was wrong.”
I goggle at him. He was wrong? My husband—mine—is admitting to being wrong?
“I was wrong,” he echoes, as if he knows I need to hear it again to believe it. “And the only person on my entire team to do anything about it was you. I told you there was no one I’d rather have my back out there, and I meant it. You’re the only one willing to call me out when I need it. You make me a better agent, Penelope.” His smile is soft as he brings my hand to his lips once again. “You make me a better man.”
I open my mouth and close it again, unable to think of anything to say.
“And as my punishment, I’ve got a long road of desk work and physical therapy ahead of me,” he adds. “Frankly, my love, I’m exhausted just thinking about it. Can we go home now?”
It’s all I need to hear. In the entire time we’ve been together—dating and engaged, married and coworkers—Grant has never admitted to physical weakness of any kind. I’m under his arm and supporting his weight in seconds. Even though I doubt he needs me to hold him up, he lets me stand there a moment, pretending I’m the strength he requires, promising to carry him anywhere he needs to go.
“Does this mean you want me to drive?”
“Yes, please. I feel like I could sleep for a week.”
I sneak a peek up at his face. “Just sleep?”
“For starters.” His voice drops to a low rumble. “But then you have some more interrogation to undergo.”
“Interrogation?” I echo, my knees growing weak. It hasn’t been long enough since the last one—even the word has me flushing hot and cold, my body primed in seconds.
“Oh, yes. Lots of long, painful interrogation. For starters, I’d like to know what the hell you think you were doing setting a cruise ship’s ventilation system on fire.”
“It was Jordan’s idea, I swear!” I squeal and try to dart out from under his arm, but he holds me fast.
“And then we can move on to the sheer audacity of you sauntering around in that bikini with a twenty-million-dollar tiara on your head.”
“I had to make sure everyone saw me,” I protest, but it’s no use. Despite his professed exhaustion and the prospect of many long, boring weeks of sitting behind a desk, my husband wraps his arms arounds me and lands what can only be described as a punishing kiss. It’s nothing but teeth and tongue and desperation, the intensity of his mouth pressed against mine all I need to confirm that Grant is fully capable of seeing his interrogation through to the end.
I’m not surprised. No matter how exhausted my husband might be, he always finds strength for the things that matter.
28
Epilogue
“Are you really, truly sure you guys don’t mind?” Lola tiptoes into our living room, looking around her as though she’s never seen a suburban house full of old-lady antiques and sports memorabilia before.
“I’m really, truly sure,” I say, propelling her forward as gently as I can.
So far, she’s proved herself to be a much better gunshot wound patient than my husband ever was, but she still has a few weeks of doctors’ visits and therapy ahead of her. It’s going to be a long time until I stop feeling worried about the physical state of either one of them.
“The guest room isn’t very pretty right now, but you can pick out any color paint you want, and we’ll get you some pictures and things to brighten the walls.”
I grab Lola’s bag, a sad, half-empty duffel that contains all her worldly goods, and lead the way down the hall. Technically, she owns several houses throughout the world—the Munich house and the Almería ranch and several underground bunkers in locations best unmentioned—but they’re currently being held by the British government pending her father’s investigation. We offered to send someone to collect her clothes and personal effects, but she said she’d rather start fresh.
I push open the door and gesture at her surroundings. Like most guest rooms, ours used to be a catch-all for exercise equipment and piles of unfolded laundry, but Grant and I spent all day yesterday clearing it out in anticipation of our new houseguest. I swear, he’s almost more excited about it than I am.
“It’ll be great practice for when we have kids of our own,” he’d said with a laugh and his arms wrapped around me from behind. “Like a teenager test run.”
“What did you just say to me?” I’d asked, whirling on him.
“Oh, nothing. Do you think she’d prefer the mirror on this wall or on the one by the window?”
The mirror almost ended up smashed over his head after that, but I’d already had enough vacuuming for one day. No way was I cleaning that mess up, too.
The result is a neat, tidy—if sparse—room that could use a little love. Since Lola is probably accustomed to palatial manors, I’m a little scared to offer such humble accommodations, but it’s the best we have.
I needn’t have worried.
“Oh, Penelope.” She enters the room behind me, her voice barely above a whisper. “This is all for me?”
“I know it’s not much, but—”
I don’t have a chance to finish. Her good arm wraps around me, those bouncy curls of hers tickling my nose. “I know I shouldn’t accept it, not after all the trouble I’ve caused you and Grant, but I think it might be the best room I’ve ever seen. Your house is so pretty and cute and inviting. I don’t deserve to be a part of it.”
“Hey, now.” I brush her hair away from her face, my heart aching at the glittering tears she refuses to let fall. “That’s not a very nice way to talk about my friend.”
“Is that what I am?”
I pretend to think about it. “Well, I thought you were, but that was before.”
Her lower lip wobbles. “Before?”
“Before,” I echo. “But now that you’re finally here, I can tell you’re going to be a lot more than that. From here on out, Lola Sanchez, you’re family.”
About the Author
Tamara Morgan is a contemporary romance author whose books combine fast-paced antics and humor with heartfelt sentiment. Her long-lived affinity f
or romance novels survived a BA in English literature, after which time she discovered it was much more fun to create stories than analyze the life out of them. She lives with her husband and daughter in the Inland Northwest, where the summers are hot, the winters are cold, and coffee is available on every street corner.
Stealing Mr. Right
First in a new romantic suspense “heist” series, Penelope Blue brings you fast-paced antics and a compelling caper romance
Penelope Blue has the perfect life, and the perfect husband. Well, except for the fact that he works for the FBI...and she’s a jewel thief. It turns out that the only thing worse than having a mortal enemy is being married to one. Because in this game of theft and seduction, only one will come out on top.
Good thing a cat burglar always lands on her feet.
“A sexy, fun, cat-and-mouse chase that hooked me from page one!”
—Jennifer Probst, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
For more Tamara Morgan, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Saving Mr. Perfect
Second in the Penelope Blue series
Without the thrill of the chase, life’s been pretty dull. But what’s that old saying? When one thief closes the door…a copycat jimmies open a window.
Set up to take the fall for thefts worth millions, Penelope have no choice but to help her FBI agent husband track the thief. Grant might not think he needs a partner, but this is one case only a true professional can solve. Let’s just hope curiosity doesn’t kill the cat burglar.
“A sexy, fun, cat-and-mouse chase that hooked me from page one!”
—Jennifer Probst, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
For more Tamara Morgan, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Bad Bachelor
First in the Bad Bachelors series
If one more person mentions Bad Bachelors to Reed McMahon, someone’s gonna get hurt. Reed is known as an “image fixer” but his womanizing ways have caught up with him. What he needs is a PR miracle of his own.
When Reed strolls into Darcy Greer’s workplace offering to help save the struggling library, she isn’t buying it. But as she reluctantly works with Reed, she realizes there’s more to a man than his reputation. Maybe, just maybe, Bad Bachelor #1 is THE one for her.
“Sizzling, sexy, and so much fun!”
—Sarah Morgan, USA Today Bestselling Author
For more Stefanie London, visit:
sourcebooks.com
One Summer Night
First in the At the Shore series by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Caridad Pineiro
Everyone knows about the bad blood between the Pierces and Sinclairs, but Owen has been watching Maggie from afar for years. Whenever he can get down to the shore, he strolls the sand hoping for a chance meeting—and a repeat of the forbidden kiss they shared one fateful summer night.
When Owen hears that Maggie’s in trouble, he doesn’t hesitate to step in. She has no choice but to accept Owen’s help. But what’s he going to demand in return?
“One Summer Night is the perfect escape!”
—Raeanne Thayne, USA Today Bestselling Author
For more Caridad Pineiro, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Collision Course
Fourth in the Body Shop Bad Boys series from New York Times and USA Today bestseller Marie Harte
Florist Joey Reeves is working overtime to stay away from Lou Cortez, the ace mechanic with a reputation for irresistible charm. She’s a single mom with enough on her plate—the last thing she needs is entanglement with the hottest guy in town…
“High-octane chemistry keeps the pages turning and your engine revving!”
—Gina L. Maxwell, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
For more Marie Harte, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Love Game
First in a new contemporary series from author Maggie Wells
Kate Snyder is at the top of her game. So when the university hires a washed-up coach trying to escape scandal—paying him a lot more than she earns—Kate is more than annoyed.
Danny McMillan gets Kate’s frustration, but her pay grade isn’t his problem, right? When Kate and Danny finally see eye to eye, sparks turn into something even hotter…and they need to figure out if this is more than just a game.
“Will steal your heart…romance at its finest.”
—Harlequin Junkie for Going Deep
For more Maggie Wells, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Survive the Night
Third in the thrilling Rocky Mountain K9 Unit series
K9 Officer Otto Gunnersen has always had a soft spot for anyone in need—but for all his big heart, he’s never been in love. Until he meets Sarah Clifton
All Sarah wants is to escape, but there’s no outrunning her past. Her power-mad brother would hunt her to the ends of the earth…but he’d never expect Sarah to fight back. With Otto by her side, Sarah’s finally ready to face whatever comes her way.
“Vivid and charming.”
—Charlaine Harris, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
For more Katie Ruggle, visit:
sourcebooks.com
Every Deep Desire
First in a sultry, swampy romantic suspense series from author Sharon Wray
Rafe Montfort was a decorated Green Beret, the best of the best, until a disastrous mission and an unforgivable betrayal destroyed his life. Now, this deadly soldier has returned to the sultry Georgia swamps to reunite with his Beret brothers—as well as the love he left behind—and take back all he lost. But Juliet must never know the truth behind what he’s done…or the dangerous secret that threatens to take him from her forever.
For more Sharon Wray, visit:
sourcebooks.com
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