“Good catch today. I want you to head out, grab Paris and call it a night. Try to get him to take some down time. He’s been holed up in that office working nonstop. I don’t think he’s even eaten today.”
She stood.
“Oh, and by grab Paris, I meant on your time, not the FBI’s. If I can’t have sex in my office, my agents can’t fornicate in theirs. That’s not really fair, now is it?”
Tessa stared at him with large green eyes, and nodded. “Yes, sir,” she squeaked. When he pointed at the door, she bolted.
Croft leaned back and couldn’t help but laugh. He understood why they did what they did, and deep down, he couldn’t blame Paris. After all, he thought about jumping Emma in there every day.
Only, he had self-control.
Yeah, that was total bullshit, and he knew it. Croft would bet that it was only a matter of time.
* * *
Emma was working on her hair when their intercom buzzer sounded. Heading out, she found Dante in the kitchen with ear buds on as he listened to music on his phone.
When he saw her enter, he pulled one out.
“Yes?” she called to the security desk.
“Mrs. Croft, there’s a flower delivery for you. Would you like to come down or have us bring it up?”
She didn't think sending Dante down was a good idea, especially after they’d tussled the other day. “Can you bring them up?”
“Sure thing, ma’am.”
Dante rounded the corner. “Sorry, I didn't hear the buzzer.”
She didn't mind. “I’m going to get my hair done and practice. It won’t disturb you, will it?” she asked, touching the large rollers in her hair. She was going for a certain look tonight, and Emma prayed that she could pull it off.
“No, it won’t. In fact, I love listening,” he admitted.
“Thank you,” she replied. Then, she saw the look. Dante was just like his brother. If you could read one Croft, you could read them all.
“Are you okay?” she asked, worried about him.
“I need to talk to you, and I don’t know how to bring it up,” he admitted, taking her hand in his.
“Well, you should just get it off your chest.”
He took a deep breath. “Are you really okay with me being here? I know you and Grey are newlyweds, and if me staying is making you uncomfortable, I can head out. He’s stuck with me, but I don’t want you to feel like you’re obligated.”
She stared up into his pale blue eyes, and the face which reminded her of the man she adored. “Dante, what gave you that idea? Of course you’re more than welcome in our home. You’re my brother now, and I cherish that, especially since I lost my own. I see how happy it makes Greyson to have you here. He’s thrilled, so don’t think we’re not. We’re just buried in this case now.”
Then, the truth came out.
“I don’t know if I want to stay in the military. I’m worried that if I tell Grey, he’ll be disappointed in me. I don’t really have any other job skills. His opinion matters so much, and I don’t want to pretend anymore.”
She suspected there was more. “He’ll never be disappointed in you, Dante. You’re his little brother. He’d die for you in a heartbeat.”
He knew that, but he was worried that he would disappoint the man he looked up to. Greyson Croft had been his idol all his life.
“What if I screw up…”
She stopped him. “You can’t do anything that will make us stop loving you. If you’re not happy in the military, stay in the reserves until you find a career you like, or go back to school. Love is unconditional, and brothers are a bond you can’t easily break.”
He hugged Emma for offering him the support and reassurance. “I needed this,” he added. “I’m so glad my brother married you. Having another sister is a pretty awesome thing.”
She patted his cheek as the buzzer rang. “Can you get that for me?” she asked, pointing at her robe. “If I answer like this, and Grey finds out, he will get all Croft-y on me.”
He found that funny. “Yeah, he’s a handful. Every woman he ever dated ran for the hills because of his bossiness. You’re the only one who can tolerate him.”
Emma wouldn’t have her husband any other way. They were both born in the wrong era, and in ‘Castle Croft’, they played by their rules.
When Dante opened the door, he whistled. “Holy shit,” he said, taking the arrangement and thanking the man.
When Emma saw it, she couldn’t help but think two things. The first was how lovely they were, and then the second was that Greyson was going to lose it if they were from Randall Mason.
“Why do you look unhappy?” Dante asked, staring at her. “You just got a ginormous vase of what has to be sixty red roses.”
“Your brother gets territorial when men send me flowers,” she stated, reaching for the card. When she opened it, she scanned it.
To the most beautiful woman in the world,
No one compares to my Emma. When I look at you, my heart is lost. You’re my soul, my breath, and my future. I love you, my kitten. Good luck tonight.
You’re going to steal the show.
Greyson.
Her heart skipped, and immediately she relaxed.
“Obviously, they’re from my brother,” he said, sniffing one of the blood red roses. He had to admit, they smelled like heaven.
“Yeah, they are,” she said, tearing up.
How she ever got this blessed and fell into this life was beyond her. Emma couldn’t wait to play for him tonight. She was going to blow him away.
“Where do you want me to put this forest of flowers?” he asked, grinning.
“Can you put them on top of the piano? I want to admire them when I’m practicing,” she said, placing the card in her robe pocket. When she went into their room, Emma was going to tuck it away in her secret memento shoebox.
Dante lugged them over and did as she asked. “My brother is slick,” he said laughing. “This should get him laid for the next month.”
Emma laughed. “News flash, Dante. Your brother doesn’t have to do a thing but breathe.”
He grinned, thinking he wouldn’t mind finding some of the love his brother had found. “Yeah, he’s a lucky bastard.”
* * *
Saturday Late Afternoon
When he arrived home with his partner, they entered and heard the most amazing sound in the world. Emma was at the piano, practicing. Then, Croft saw the flowers had arrived. His heart skipped. She placed them right in front of her, and was focused on them as she played.
It made him all warm and tingly.
Obviously, he picked the right gift.
Dante was lying on the couch with his feet up, as he flipped through a magazine.
When she hit the dramatic part of the song, Curtis leaned over to whisper. “You realize you’re making the rest of the male species look bad, right?”
Croft grinned wickedly. Nothing needed to be said. He was just sending roses to the love of his life.
Briggs continued, “You said she was good, but that’s professional, not ‘playing for your friends in the living room’ skill.”
Croft was well aware.
As his wife continued to play, he was pleased that they’d gotten a piano. At the time, it was a royal pain in the ass, but it had been worth it. Now, he treasured the days where he came home from work to find her playing. What he really loved was sitting on the couch, cigar, and bourbon in hand, while she played for an audience of one.
It lulled him after a stressful day. Maybe that wasn’t the word to use. It turned him on. They’d had lots of sex in this room, because of that piano. If he could have fit it in their bedroom, it would have found its home there.
As if she sensed him, her hands stopped moving, and she turned her head. When her eyes met his, there was life reborn from being apart.
“Grey!” She slid off the bench and raced to him. When he opened his arms, Emma crashed into his body.
“Honey,”
he murmured, swinging her around before dropping her back to the floor. When their lips met, most of the tension he’d been feeling drained away.
Emma had that effect on him.
“I missed you, Grey! Thank you for the flowers,” she whispered, nuzzling his shoulder with her cheek. “I would have rather been with you today.”
Dante snorted. “Gee, thanks!”
Curtis grabbed two beers and headed toward the man on the couch. “Welcome to my world. When he’s around, the babes are distracted.”
Emma glanced over her shoulder. “Pardon? Last I looked around this room, the babe is singular.”
Croft lifted an eyebrow.
“Uh, I meant.”
Emma crossed her arms over her chest. “What babes?” When she glanced back at her husband, he shrugged.
“I don’t know what he’s talking about. I was in my office and meetings with the team all day. I was pretty much in a babe-free zone, unless you count Brynn and Tessa.”
Curtis knew he needed to save his hide. “The new agent looks at him like he’s dinner, that’s all. Just like you do.”
It was obvious that Curtis wasn’t married. Greyson started to laugh. “One, I didn't notice. Two, you never, ever, ever tell a woman that there’s other females circling, because you’re the one who will get killed. Finally, I only have eyes for my wife.”
She turned and ran her fingertip down his scarred cheek. “I missed my cave-Croft today.”
Dante watched in fascination. “Are they always like this?”
Curtis sipped his beer. “Worse. He’s been distracted with this case. Wait until it’s over. That’s when you’re going to want to gag on the sweetness. He’s Mr. Romance.”
“He gets it from my dad. The old man used to always bring my mom things and talk to her like that. I’d say it’s genetic, but I don’t think I’ll ever be like that.”
Emma led her husband into the room. When he sat, she curled into his lap. Immediately, she felt so much better. Being apart from him was the worst part of her day. She may be nervous about tonight, but she was more petrified that he was going to get hurt.
His arms went protectively around her waist as she sat pressed against his body. This was the best part of being married to Emma.
“Tell me about today?” she asked, leaving kisses across his stubbly jaw all the way to his ear. When she began teasing the lobe with her lips, his body reacted to the contact.
“Emma my sweet, you don’t have time to get me all stirred up tonight,” he replied, before she nipped him harder.
The men across from them shook their heads.
“Sorry, but I missed you. Okay, I’m focused. Tell me about your day.”
First, he broke it all down regarding the issues he was having with his profilers. When he told Emma about the conversation he had with Maggie, she looked concerned.
“That’s not good. She obviously feels threatened.”
He shrugged. “What am I supposed to do? Stroke her ego? She’s a damn good profiler, but I can’t spend hours reiterating that. I think most of my staff knows the golden rule. If I don’t say shit, be glad. If I call you into my office, be scared.”
Curtis raised his beer in toast. “Amen.”
“See? He knows it.” Then, he told her about the conversation he had with Paris about getting married, leaving out that they had been caught fornicating on government property. For their sake, he would keep it private.
“I feel for them. Imagine not being able to tell the world you loved me,” she stated. “I couldn’t do it. I’ve been there. I didn't tell anyone I was married to the head Fed, and we know how that backfired.”
He laughed. “Yeah, well I can’t help that. I like everyone knowing my wife is all mine.”
Dante was entertained. Most of the women he encountered would kick a man’s ass if he said something so old school.
“You’re my caveman,” she purred, wiggling in his lap.
Emma was damn lucky that they weren’t alone, or her hair would be mussed and she would be breathless.
When his boss was distracted by Emma whispering in his ear, Briggs continued, telling her about the tablet and what Tessa had discovered.
“Well, how many blondes could there possibly be in Vegas?” Emma teased. “This shouldn’t take too long.”
He laughed. “They’re tracking her with the ISP. If she didn't use a public location, we’re golden. If she did, we’re up the creek.”
Dante shook his head. “Your job is hard,” he admitted. “I always thought it was glamorous, how you saved people and solved things, but you look tired.”
He was amused. “I am tired, but it’s nothing a little concerto from my kitten won’t help later.”
She picked her music, just for him. When she got up there to play for everyone, it would be for the man she loved.
“I need to go get dressed, and so do you three,” she stated, getting a boost from his lap. “I put your tux in with your brother. I don’t need you critiquing my gown before I’m in it.”
He stared at her. “Yeah, your partner said she saw it.”
Emma wanted someone’s opinion, and of course it needed to be another woman’s. “It got two thumbs up from her. I can’t wait for you to check me out in it.”
He stood. “Am I going to need medication, Emma?” he asked, as they all headed down the hallway.
At the door, she stepped inside, turning back to answer him, “No, not medication Greyson,” she replied honestly. “Something worse.”
“What then?” Now, he was worried, excited, and suspicious all at the same time.
“CPR.”
With that, she closed and locked the door.
“Emma! You let me in right now! I want to see what you plan on wearing before you spend an entire hour trying to get into it!” he demanded.
The men behind him simply laughed. This was just more proof of who ruled the roost, and it wasn’t him.
“Emma!”
There was giggling from their bedroom.
“Damn it! It’s going to be a very long night,” he muttered, knowing his wife was going to drive him insane.
Neither man disagreed with him. In fact, they found it priceless that the boss was this frazzled.
Nothing shook up Greyson Croft more than a smaller, fiery haired kitten.
* * *
When Tessa found him, he was still at the desk working like mad. In fact, he was so focused, that he never heard her walk up beside him. When she went to fix the tufts of hair that were standing up, that’s when he glanced up.
“Tessa!”
She dropped her voice low. “Hey, handsome. I missed you.”
He wanted to jump up and taste her, but he’d already broken one major rule today. Then, he glanced at the door. “Can I have a kiss?” he whispered, needing that light touch to calm him down.
Quickly, she offered him a light meeting of lips. When she broke away, she wanted to drop into his lap and make out with him. When he looked all harried and busy, it turned her on.
Then again, he managed to turn her on pretty much all the time just by being himself.
“I've been instructed to bring you home,” she stated. “We can both use a hot shower, some food, and our own bed for tonight.”
That sounded so damn appealing.
Right about now, he could use a little time to stop thinking. His brain was a puddle of mush, and his body was just about ready to shut down.
“Want to get take out?” he offered, knowing that if they didn't, she was going to have to cook.
“No, I’m good. I’ll make you a burger.”
She had him at delicious food. “Will there be bacon on this burger?” he asked, thinking of all the magical food porn moments, which were bouncing around in his head.
“Yes, and cheese.”
“Can I have a bun? I know you’re big on the no wheat thing, but I’m a man. I need bread.”
She was amused. “Yeah, we can do that. Want to grab
some wine too? Then, we can lay on the couch and drink?”
Tess wanted to help him relax. She was well aware that too many profilers in the FBI burned out and lost their marbles from the stress.
She had to save her Paris from that.
“Yeah, that sounds amazing,” he offered, packing up his gear. “I could use a few hours of down time anyway. I’ve hit a wall with the information we have.”
Tessa grabbed her bag. “We found out more, but if I tell you, then you have to promise me that you won’t be dwelling on it until the morning.”
He held out his hand to shake. “Deal.”
Breaking it down, she shared everything they discovered. Tess saw him beginning to process it, and she stopped. “You made a deal.”
It made him laugh, as they walked through the bullpen together. Obviously, she wasn’t going to let him slide on this one.
“I know, but for the record, I can do two things at once,” he reassured, and then wiggled his eyebrows lecherously.
Tessa snorted.
“Hey! Archer! Want to grab a beer?” one of the agents shouted. “We’re heading over to McGavin’s to throw some darts.”
Before Tessa, he would have gone. Now, he had no desire to hang out with anyone but her. “No, I’m beat, but thanks.”
“How about you, Brass? Want to come class the place up a little and make us look good?”
Wasn’t that the truth?
“It would take twenty of me to pull that off, Dex, so no. Besides, he’s my ride. Thanks though.”
One of the men made a comment about them giving her a ride instead, and she chose to ignore it as just good-humored fun. It’s what happened when women worked among a herd of testosterone-fueled men.
Paris was far from entertained. “Did he just…?” He began, getting irritated that the men were talking about her like that.
She laughed at his sudden protectiveness. “Paris, it’s okay. You know how guys are. They’re only busting my ass, and I’m used to it. This never bothered you before,” she said, pushing the elevator button.
Love is Bleeding (A Croft & Croft Romance Adventure Book 4) Page 34