by Loye, Trish
“Don’t you start too,” she said.
“He’s not Steve.”
“Doesn’t matter.”
“Your call,” he said.
And it was, dammit. She waved goodbye to her brother and then leaned back against her desk. She was doing the right thing where Rhys was concerned.
She grabbed her coat and slid one arm into it, pulling it over her hurt shoulder, letting the sleeve flop over her sling. She just wanted to go home, but decided she should pop into the Chien Noir for a celebratory drink with her team.
Marc and Zach stood with Dylan, Sarah, and Jake.
“Nice timing, Cat,” Marc said. “Jake here was just about to buy another round.”
“Me?” he said. “My team saved your asses. I think you need to buy the round.”
Marc snorted. “Can’t argue with that.” He motioned to Cat to follow him to the bar. “Where’s Rhys? I figured he’d be here for sure.”
She shrugged. “I haven’t seen him.”
“Huh,” Marc said. “I thought he’d be right by your side.”
“Why would you think that?”
“Seriously?” He ordered the beers before turning back to her. “Anyway, I wanted to apologize to both of you.”
“We both do,” Zach said, having come up behind her. “We underestimated you both. You’re both good operators. Whatever you do on your own time is your business. Not ours.”
Her mouth dropped open.
“I’m not apologizing twice,” Marc said. “So you can just pass it along when you see him next.”
“Technically,” Zach said, “you haven’t actually apologized yet.” The two of them carried the beers back to the table, ribbing each other as they went.
She swallowed a gulp of icy beer and closed her eyes for a moment. Her team accepted her and Rhys. She almost laughed. Now that there was nothing to accept. She opened her eyes.
The whole relationship had added too much stress to her life and the missions. She couldn’t afford to let herself be so distracted. It didn’t matter what her team thought. It only mattered what she chose.
And she chose her career.
Cat slid the faded t-shirt over her head and pulled on her flannel pajama pants. She towel dried her hair one-handed from the hot bath she’d had, before slipping her sling back on.
She hadn’t stayed long at the Chien Noir, not even finishing her beer. It had worried her that Rhys hadn’t joined them, but she was also secretly relieved that she hadn’t had to face him. The tension between them was daunting. He was a good operator, but if they couldn’t come to terms about this thing between them, she’d have to transfer him to another team herself. Nothing was going to distract her from her job.
She’d realized when she’d pulled him from the river just how much she was coming to care for Rhys. She hadn’t brought him on the mission because she was worried about how their interaction would affect the team, and then when he’d almost drowned, she’d lost sight of the mission entirely. She couldn’t work with that kind of stress, and knew that she had to put a stop to anything between them. Her insides ached at the thought. But it was just added to the list of her already-hurting body.
She went into the living room and plopped on her couch. Her stomach grumbled, and she wondered if popcorn was considered a healthy dinner. She turned on her TV and started scrolling through her list of movies to watch on Netflix. She flicked through the romantic comedies. An image of a happy couple chasing their overly large dog centered on her screen and caught her eye. She wanted—no, needed—a happy ending right now.
Someone knocked on her apartment door.
She froze, knowing in her core who it was. She wished for a moment that she was the type of person who could pretend she wasn’t home. She didn’t want conflict tonight. She just wanted… She looked at the image of the couple again. She flicked off the TV. That wasn’t the life she’d chosen. It wasn’t an option.
Why not?
Because they worked together. It wasn’t professional.
Dani and Jake work together.
Because he would betray her once they’d had their fun, or once he got tired of taking her orders.
He isn’t Steve.
She stood up, tired of arguing with herself, and went to the door just as he knocked again.
“Open up, Cat.” Rhys’s voice carried through the door. “I know you’re in there.”
She opened the door. His hair was damp, but his face was scruffy from not shaving for three days. The bandage seemed stark white against his tanned forehead. His t-shirt molded to his broad chest and his jeans hung low on his hips. He looked delicious.
He held his leather jacket in one hand and a bag from her favorite Thai restaurant in the other. He held up the bag. “I brought dinner.”
She suddenly felt frumpy in her pajamas. Her stomach rumbled and her face heated. She grabbed the bag. “We’re not having sex.”
“Woman, my head aches and I’m exhausted. I didn’t come here for sex,” he said, grabbing the bag back and walking in. “I came to eat and to talk.”
He went to her small dining table and started pulling out tinfoil boxes of food. “It occurred to me to check the regs regarding fraternization. Can you guess what I found?”
She didn’t say anything, but her face stayed heated.
“That’s right,” Rhys nodded at her guilty expression. “Nothing. I asked Jake and even Commander Knight.”
“You didn’t!”
“I did,” he said, starting to peel off the lids to noodle and spicy chicken dishes. “Can you grab some plates?
Her mouth dropped open. “You—”
“Want plates. Yes.”
She rolled her eyes, but went to grab some, along with some utensils. “I can’t believe you spoke to Knight about this.”
“You didn’t leave me any choice,” he said quietly.
She whirled to confront him, plates in hand, but he continued to speak.
“It’s fascinating, actually,” he said. “As E.D.G.E. operators, we are outside both military and even most government jurisdictions. We have no fraternization rule. And then that made me wonder, chère. Can you guess what I wondered?” His Louisiana accent thickened.
She hovered, plates in hand, a few feet away from the table where he now sat, the food laid out before him like a king before a feast.
“Come sit down, chère. I can hear your stomach grumbling from here.”
She slowly walked to the table and sat down, passing him a plate. He began to pile food on it before handing it to her and then piling food on the other plate. He pointed at her plate with his fork. “Eat.”
The aromas scenting the air made her mouth water, but her muscles tensed like she was crossing a minefield. She wasn’t sure where to step next.
She started to eat. If he’d brought her food, then she could listen to whatever theory he’d concocted. It wouldn’t change her mind.
She noticed he wasn’t eating. He watched her instead.
“Did you poison the food or something?” she joked.
He didn’t smile. “Would you like to hear what I wondered?”
“Not really,” she said, shoving a forkful of spicy chicken into her mouth.
“I wondered if you knew about this rule. And then I realized that of course you did. That’s why it was okay in your mind to jump me six months ago and give me one of the best nights of my life.”
“I didn’t jump you.”
He grinned and finally began to eat. “I beg to differ. But that’s not the point here. You knew there was no rule and yet you led me to believe tonight that this thing between us, as you called it, was against the rules. When really, you just didn’t want to pursue it.”
She swallowed the food in her mouth and sat back. No longer hungry. “What do you want, Rhys?”
“I want to know two things,” he said. His voice carried a lethal edge. “Number one, why did you leave me behind for this mission?”
She didn’t
answer, not sure she should answer it honestly.
His gaze bore into her and his voice harshened. “Did you think I wasn’t good enough?”
“No,” she said quickly. She couldn’t have him thinking that. “No. I think you’re more than capable as an operator.”
His head tilted and his gaze narrowed as he studied her. “Then you don’t trust me.”
“No,” she said. “I trust you.” It surprised her how true those words were.
“Then why?”
She sighed. “You distract me. I distract you. We hadn’t worked out the kinks of the chemistry between us. I was afraid it would hinder the mission.” She didn’t need or want to mention that Marc and Zach had felt the same. Just like she wasn’t going to mention they’d now given their stamp of approval.
He set his fork down and leaned back, no hint of softness anywhere in his face. “And now?”
She knew what he wanted to hear. And she had to tell the truth. “I think we can work together.”
“Think?” he almost growled. “I am a Navy SEAL with years of training. Do you think I can’t put my feelings aside for the good of the mission? Do you think I need to be handheld like a child?”
She looked away from his eyes, which almost glowed with outrage. His well-muscled chest and arms spoke of a disciplined man who protected others. That was his job. He would never back down from a fight and he’d never shy from doing the right thing, even if it cost him his life. Cat hadn’t known him long, but she already knew this about him.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I trust you as an operator. And I know we can work together. I won’t leave you behind again.”
He let out a long breath. “Good. Now we have matter number one settled.”
“Number one?”
“There is something else we need to discuss, chère.” He smiled slowly. “But it can wait until we’re both feeling better.”
Cat frowned. “I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”
He stood up, picked up his plate, and moved to her couch. “I’m not watching The Bachelor again, just so you know.”
The feeling of being in the minefield came back. She followed him to the couch with her food.
He waved his chopsticks for her to sit down. “Nothing but friends tonight, Cat,” he said. “We’re both too battered for anything else.”
Something inside her eased. She sat on the couch and let her muscles relax. “Have you heard of Outlander?”
CHAPTER 24
It had been a quiet week since they’d gotten back from Nigeria. Quiet, but satisfying. She’d spent most of it with Rhys, just watching movies and exploring Montreal with him. She’d gotten him hooked on Outlander and he’d shown her how to make gumbo.
Each night he’d gone back to his hotel room. They’d fallen into an easy friendship–and if her gaze sometimes lingered on his sleek muscles, she tried not to let him know.
Today was the first day she’d felt like herself. She’d left off her sling for most of the day, as they’d gone to see different apartments for Rhys to rent. Her arm ached a little, but she knew it wouldn’t be long before she was back to full strength. Maybe tomorrow she’d try going for a run.
A knock sounded. She opened the door, a smile on her face. “What are we doing for dinner tonight?”
Rhys stood there, his face serious, his eyes somber.
She stepped back. “What’s wrong?”
“We need to discuss the second issue.” He moved into her place and took off his leather jacket. His broad shoulders filled out his t-shirt.
She brought her gaze back to his face before it could go any lower. “Second issue?”
He smiled slowly. Knowingly. “After the mission I said I had two things I needed to discuss with you.”
She swallowed. “I don’t think we need to talk about anything else.”
“The second issue,” he said distinctly. “You care about me.”
She frowned, spun away from him, and ended up on the far side of the room. “Of course I do. You’re a soldier under my command. Don’t read anything more into it.”
He crossed his arms and arched a brow. “I’m going to call your bluff, you know.”
“There’s not going to be anything between us,” she said.
He stalked closer, his gaze warming. “Why not?” His voice was almost a growl.
“I can’t have a one-night stand with a soldier on my team. I won’t.”
He smiled in satisfaction and her stomach tumbled at the look in his eyes. “Who said anything about just one night?”
She stepped back and waved him away when he moved toward her again. “Okay, I admit we are great in bed, but what happens when that burns out? We’re left feeling awkward around each other? Or worse, you start to resent me for being team leader and telling you what to do.”
He frowned. “I’m not Major Asshole. I don’t kiss and tell and I’d only resent your leadership if you left me behind again.”
She sat on her couch and put her head in her hands. “I’m sorry, Rhys. I’ve learned the hard way that this type of thing won’t work.”
“So you’re just going to give up? That doesn’t sound like the Valkyrie I met on that mountaintop in Afghanistan. That doesn’t sound like the woman I came to E.D.G.E. to find.”
She raised her head. “You came to E.D.G.E. to find me?”
He shrugged as if it didn’t matter, but she could see the uncertainty in his eyes. “You intrigued me. The first time at E.D.G.E. I tagged along with Jake to see what the unit was about, but I came here for you.” He smiled. “And then I found you. Did you think I would walk away after we had a night like that?” He shook his head at her. “Woman, we are good together. Not only that, but I trust you. You’ve saved my life and I’ve saved yours. We owe it to each other to give this thing between us a chance.”
She stared at him. “Define chance.”
He moved closer and took her hands in his, pulling her to her feet. She stood so close that a deep breath would have their chests touching.
“We date,” he said simply. “We can take it as slow as you’d like. Though I’d really like to see you naked soon.” His hand brushed down the side of her face and cupped her cheek. His smile was sweet. “My cards are down, Cat, and I’m all in. Just let me know what I can do to convince you I’m serious.”
Cat stared into his eyes. She trusted this man, more than she’d trusted anyone before. It had felt wrong to leave him behind before. And it felt wrong to send him away now.
It was time to throw reason out the window and follow her heart. No more running from her past mistakes—she would take this chance. She ran a finger over his bottom lip and he nipped it, his eyes darkening with need.
“Can we skip the first date and go right to bed?” she asked. “I’m not much for slow.”
Rhys’s heartbeat accelerated with Cat’s words and the desire in her eyes. He didn’t hesitate, not wanting her to change her mind. He held her head as he lowered his lips to her oh-so-soft ones. Sensation and heat washed over him. He pressed closer to her, backing her into the wall, needing to feel her against his chest.
One hand stroked down her body, to cup the swell of her breast. He rubbed his thumb over the tight nipple and she moaned into his mouth. The sound set him on fire and he repeated the motion, just to hear her once more. He trailed his mouth down her neck, the scent of vanilla and woman making him want more. He licked down her skin, pressing his hips into hers, before pulling her t-shirt off her, careful of her arm. He swallowed hard at the sight of all that golden skin begging for his touch. The fading bruises on her shoulder and chest didn’t mar her perfection, just reinforced his belief that this dynamic, tough woman should be his.
He skimmed his hands down her body to her hips, grasping her pajama pants and pulling them down. She stood before him in only simple black bikini bottoms, her blue eyes blazing with need and her hands reaching for him.
He sucked in a breath against the tightness in his ches
t. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Her face twisted slightly at his words. He pulled back. “You don’t believe me.”
She shrugged and reached for him again. “It’s not important.”
He tilted his head as he studied her. Was it true? Had no one she trusted said that to her before? She blushed under his gaze. “You don’t think you’re beautiful.”
Her lips pressed together and she reached for her top, now on the floor. He snagged her wrist before she could grab it. Then he snagged the other before she could grab him. He held her arms gently and he could see the temper flare in her eyes. Had no one seen her strength as beautiful?
“Chère, have you only ever dated idiots?”
“Rhys,” she said.
He ignored the warning in her voice. “You are a beautiful woman, chère.” He kissed her softly on her lips and then pulled back to look at her again.
“You don’t—”
“You are an incredibly sexy woman.” He leaned in to kiss just behind her ear, trailing his tongue down her neck. She moaned. He looked at her again, envisioning everything he wanted to do tonight.
Her one arm twisted in his grip. “Stop—”
“You’re a stubborn, but sensual woman,” Rhys said as he bent down and sucked a nipple into his mouth. Her back arched and her breathy gasp made his cock twitch in anticipation as he moved to her other breast.
When he pulled back this time, her eyes were heavy-lidded and she didn’t say anything.
“And you’re so responsive it makes me feel like an impatient teenager,” he whispered as he went to his knees before her. He still lightly held her wrists by her sides, not wanting any interference as he licked and nipped his way down her belly. But then he released them so he could pull her panties down her long sleek legs. “Ah, Jesus.”
He licked her then, tasting her, and she cried out his name. He did it again and again, finally holding her hips while she squirmed.
“I could do this all night,” he said.
She tugged his hair, tilting his face up. “Now, Rhys. Don’t make me beg.”
He inhaled sharply. What a sight that would be. He pictured her lying before him, writhing with pleasure and calling his name. Desire crashed over him and his cock hardened further, if that was even possible.