The Medusa Proposition
Page 20
He shook his head. “Insane.”
“Effective.”
“Too dangerous.”
She glanced over at him, her gaze charged. “Worth the risk.”
He was worth risking her life over? A burst of heat started low in his gut and spread outward rapidly. He stopped right there on the side of the road and pulled her into his arms. “You are the darnedest woman.”
“Is that a good thing or a bad thing?”
He grinned down at her. “The jury’s still out on that one.”
“This from the guy who refused the ride to safety in favor of running around in the woods unarmed against a large and motivated force of possible killers?”
He shrugged. “What can I say? I’ve missed being shot at.”
“Okay, now I know you’re nuts.”
“Aw, c’mon. You know you love my craziness. Admit it.”
She stared up at him long and hard. And for some reason, he found himself holding his breath, butterflies leaping in the back of his throat. He leaned down slowly and his lips brushed against hers.
They’d done it. They’d escaped nearly certain death. And they were together and alive. He dragged her up against him, devouring her whole. Their tongues clashed and then found a rhythm, sliding and swirling together. Her body undulated against his, straining nearer, eagerness flowing off her. Craving erupted low in his gut. No matter how often he did this with her, he wanted more each time. She was an addiction, and he didn’t think he’d ever want to break this habit. In fact, he knew he’d never get tired of this.
Paige’s fingernails raked through his hair and she muttered, “If I didn’t know the H.O.T. Watch satellites could see us, I’d tear your clothes off, throw you down and make wild, passionate love to you right here.”
Satellites. Damn. They probably could already see this embrace. He loosened his grip on her reluctantly. “It’s probably for the best. Wouldn’t want to get poison ivy someplace unmentionable.”
She chuckled and he forced his arms to let her go. But he vowed to himself it wouldn’t be for long. Just until they could get undercover and away from the prying eyes of Big Brother. If she would have him, that was.
“Admit it,” he murmured teasingly, doing his damnedest not to betray that his heart was stuck in his throat. “You can’t get enough of me.”
She looked up at him wide-eyed for a moment. Then a smile broke across her face and her magnificent eyes sparkled wickedly. “I might…repeat, might…occasionally find you mildly entertaining.”
He grinned down at her. “That’s not what you said on the floor of your living room last night. Or against the kitchen counter or in the shower—”
She pressed her fingers against his lips. “Enough, already, you arrogant man. Let’s get you back to town and under guard.”
They started walking again. He asked leadingly, “The Medusas can’t guard me forever. Who do you suggest I recruit for the job if I happen to think Nils could use a little help?”
Her breath caught as if she sensed the broad hint behind the question. But she answered evenly enough, “Jeremy Smythe’s security team is out of a job at the moment. They’re all former SAS guys—a few of them have worked with the Medusas before, in fact. I can recommend them highly.”
“Speaking of which,” he commented, “Aleesha got a call while we were holed up in the cottage. Jeremy’s death was caused by a massive stroke. He died of natural causes.”
Paige sagged beside him. Uh-huh. As he’d thought. She’d been racked by guilt at the idea that her news report had somehow drawn the killer—Mimi, he corrected—to Jeremy. He loved that about Paige. She had an intense sense of responsibility. Of right and wrong. Of loyalty and honor. Yep, she was some woman.
He murmured, “You didn’t have anything to do with his death. You can let go of that guilt.”
“Thanks,” she mumbled.
The sky was glowing ahead of them as they approached the cluster of brightly lit resorts lining the beach. He knew from experience that as soon as they got back to the hotel and Paige reported in to her Medusa superiors, she’d be tied up with debriefs and reports for the next several days.
It was now or never.
He stopped by the side of the road.
“Paige. There’s something I have to discuss with you.”
Chapter 18
Paige gulped. Tom sounded serious. What had she done now? Lord knew she’d screwed up plenty on this mission.
“Paige, had it not been for you, I might never have been exposed to the Special Forces community again. And for that, I owe you my thanks.”
She frowned, but he plowed on as if determined to get through this as fast as possible.
“During these past few days with you, I’ve realized how much I’ve missed being out in the field. My life is boring, safe and bland, and I’m sick and tired of it. I’ve made a decision. I’m going back into the Special Ops community full-time. As soon as we get back to the hotel, I’m calling Jack Scatalone and telling him I want back in.”
Paige’s heart thudded to her feet. For a second there she’d thought he was going to ask her…oh, heck, it didn’t matter. A guy like him would never go for a girl like her. It had all been a lovely fantasy while it lasted. But pure fantasy it unquestionably was.
She stammered, “Uh, I’m glad for you, Tom. It’s obvious you’re a highly experienced and really competent operator. Uncle Sam will be lucky to have you back. I wish you luck with it.”
“Is that all you have to say?” he asked, his voice low and intense. “Good luck and Godspeed?”
She flared up at him. “What do you want me to say?”
“How about pleading with me not to go? Or telling me how dangerous it is and that you’ll be worried sick about me? Or that you won’t be able to stand the suspense of waiting around for me to come home after long and dangerous missions away from you?”
Okay, now she was confused. “Why would I say any of that?”
He burst out, frustrated, “Because maybe you care for me just a little? Because you were hoping to spend more time with me and not have me running off to the nearest war zone? Maybe because you give a damn whether I live or die?”
“Of course I care about that, Tom. But I hardly have any right to tell you any of that other—”
He cut her off abruptly. “Oh, for Pete’s sake.” His mouth swooped down and captured hers, and then his arms wrapped around her, sweeping her up against him in a kiss that would have melted a sterner woman than she.
He grasped the back of her head with one hand, cradling it so his tongue and lips could thoroughly plunder her mouth. His body pressed impatiently against hers, and answering desire exploded within her. It was all right there, the scalding heat, the desperate need, the unbridled lust. And along with it came wonder, astonishment even, that this incredible man found her remotely attractive.
“You have the right, dammit,” he growled.
Her brain was too muddled with lust to follow what he meant. “Come again?” she mumbled.
“You have the right to worry about me and tell me not to go. I love you, you gorgeous, amazing idiot!”
Everything stopped. Her heart ceased beating. Time stood still. She was pretty sure the universe stopped expanding for a moment. Her mind went completely blank and she stared up at him in total incomprehension. “Love? Me?” she finally squeaked. “Yes. You.”
“Oh.” A pause. “Oh!”
“Well?” he demanded. “Well what?”
“You know, for a television news reporter, you’re singularly bad at forming complete sentences.”
“I…oh…well, then. It’s not every day the man of your dreams tells you that he loves you.”
Tom nodded firmly. “Better.” Then he seemed to fetch up mentally himself. “Man of your dreams?” he repeated in what sounded like minor shock. “Does that mean you love me, too?”
“You know, for a successful businessman, you’re not so good at making logical deductions.”
; He laughed aloud. “Touché.” He tucked her under his arm and started walking once more. “Life with you’s going to be one hell of an adventure.”
“I thought you said you’re running off to join the Special Forces again.”
“I didn’t say anything about running off. I figure you’re going to need plenty of backup over the next few years. All I have to do is follow you around the world, and plenty of trouble’s bound to come to you.”
“Gee. Thanks.”
“Sure. No problem. Just keeping it real.”
“So you’re proposing to become my Special Ops team mate?”
He stopped. Took her by both shoulders. Stared down at her in exasperation. “No, pip-squeak. I’m proposing to marry you.”
“Oh.” Another pause. “Oh!” Heat rushed to her cheeks and suddenly she felt more than a little light-headed. “Ohmigosh. Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack, kid. You and me. Whaddaya say?”
“I think it sounds like the craziest, most maddening, completely chaotic thing I’ve ever heard of.”
“So that’s a yes?” he asked.
“Of course, you big galoot. I love you!”
He grabbed her then, picking her up in his arms and swinging her around. He gave a hoot of joy and kissed her soundly before setting her back on her feet. “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the whole world!”
She grinned up at him. “You hang on to that thought the next time I do a solo recon and stroll into the middle of a firefight in the name of saving you.”
“Don’t even think about it. Not on my watch.”
She laughed at him unrepentantly. “We’ll see about that.”
“This is exactly why I have to marry you and go operational with you. Who else is going to keep you from getting yourself killed?”
The smile faded from her face. “With you in my life, I’ve got every reason in the world to fight to live a very long time.”
He plucked the canteen out of her utility belt and unscrewed the lid. “Here’s to us. And to growing old together.” He took a sip and passed it to her.
She laughed and took the canteen. “Mmm. Body-temperature, stale water. Somehow that’s entirely appropriate to this ridiculous proposition. You and me married and teammates?” She shook her head but then lifted the container to him. “Here’s to our future adventures together. Lots and lots of adventures.”
He groaned as she tipped up the jug. “How about just enough adventures to keep life interesting and none that could get you killed?”
“Sorry. You’ve fallen in love with a Medusa. You’re in for it now, big guy.”
Their gazes met and they burst out laughing. Oh, yes. This was going to be a grand adventure, indeed.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-5540-5
THE MEDUSA PROPOSITION
Copyright © 2010 by Cynthia Dees
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