Secret Agent Seduction
Page 24
Armand laughed. “I don’t think you’d ever have to worry about that, but I understand what you’re saying.” Sobering after a moment, he searched her face. “No regrets about moving away from your parents? Leaving your job?”
Lia gazed at him. “The only regret I would have is not spending the rest of my life with you.”
He took her hand, splaying her fingers across his heart. She didn’t have to read his mind to know what he was telling her. I love you.
“I love you, too,” she mouthed back, and he smiled.
“As for my parents,” she continued, “they’ve already told me that they plan to visit us on a regular basis. I believe their exact words were, ‘Just try to get rid of us.’ And as for my job…well, something tells me I will be very busy as first lady of Muwaiti. And who knows? Maybe one day I’ll open my own international security consulting firm. I’ve always had that in mind as a possible second career after retiring from the Secret Service. And speaking of security,” she said, giving Armand a stern look, “we need to discuss your security plan around here. I was rather alarmed when I arrived this afternoon and saw that no one was manning the security booth.”
Armand chuckled, shaking his head at her. “How’d I know you would have a problem with that?”
She arched a brow, awaiting his explanation.
He sighed in resignation. “Today is Sunday. I like to give the guards the weekends off to spend time with their families. And I’ve never particularly cared for leaders who live in ivory towers and hide behind fortresses. I want to be accessible to my people.”
“I know that, darling. And I understand, believe me, I do. But you have to be practical. You’re president of one of the largest countries in the Caribbean. I know that the people of Muwaiti adore you and would never want to hurt you, but, as I’ve always told you, it’s better to be safe than sorry. No one would begrudge you having round-the-clock security here at the palace. When it comes to your safety, I’d rather not take any unnecessary risks.”
He shook his head, a poignant smile playing about his lips as he looked down at her. “Always my protector, my guardian angel.”
She touched his face. “I almost lost you once. I never want to go through that again.”
Armand held her eyes for a long moment, then sighed. “All right. We can carve out some time tomorrow to review my security detail.”
“Thank you.” Lia gave him a teasing smile. “So you are trainable.”
He smiled softly, stroking a hand over her hair. “Only for you.” He ran an appreciative gaze over her, taking in her short, breezy skirt and strappy high-heeled sandals. “God, you look incredible. I’ve never seen you in a skirt and heels before. And your hair is down, just the way I like it.”
“I know,” Lia said demurely. “I did it just for you. And sometime tonight, when everyone else has gone to sleep, I’m going to sneak into your bedroom suite and do everything I’ve dreamed of doing to you for the last six months.”
Armand groaned, his eyes darkening with desire as he sank his fingers into her hair and tipped her head back. “Don’t tempt me, woman,” he growled, nuzzling her throat. “If you knew how badly I’ve wanted to carry you upstairs and make love to you ever since you arrived, you wouldn’t tease me like that.”
Lia smiled, shivering at his touch and the deep, seductive timbre of his voice that sent heat curling through her blood. She’d never stood a chance of resisting this man. She’d been thoroughly seduced—mind, body and soul.
“Armand?”
“Yes, sweetheart?”
“Thank you for holding on all those years. Thank you for waiting.”
He lifted his head and looked at her. All the adoration in his heart was evident in his intense gaze. “You were more than worth the wait,” he said huskily.
Their lips met in a deep, searing kiss that left them both trembling in anticipation of the night ahead, and the many nights to come.
As they drew apart, Armand gave her a tender smile and held out his arm to her. “Come. Let me give you a tour of your new home.”
Lia’s eyes misted as she stared at him. Home, she silently marveled. With Armand. She could hardly believe it. After a lifetime of feeling lonely and alienated from others because of her psychic gift, she had finally found love and unconditional acceptance in someone other than her parents. She had found someone with whom she could share her triumphs and fears, her hopes and her dreams. Someone who would cherish her, nurture her, protect her as fiercely as she would him. She had found someone to share her life with.
As far as she was concerned, that was the only gift she would ever need.
Smiling into his eyes, she slipped her arm through his, and together they started off, walking into their new life as one.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-2188-2
SECRET AGENT SEDUCTION
Copyright © 2008 by Maureen Smith
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