by Anna Hackett
Lachlan nodded his head at the prisoners. “Brooks has contacted the LAPD to come and collect these guys.”
“It’s over,” January said.
Seth pulled her closer, his fingers gently probing the lump on the back of her head. “For them, it’s over. For us, it’s time to head home.”
Home. They still had some details to work out, but she liked the sound of that.
Chapter Twenty
They were safely back on the X8, heading back to Nevada. Seth sat in his seat, January nestled in his lap. He kept one hand tangled in her hair, and had no desire to let her loose.
He wanted her close. Where he knew she was one-hundred-percent safe.
He tugged her head back and kissed her. Again.
Nearby, Axel made a gagging noise. “I love the ladies, in all their infinite varieties and flavors, but you guys…”
Seth didn’t give a shit. Nearby, Callie was grinning, and even Lachlan had a faint smile on his face. Smith had his eyes closed, but he was smiling, too.
“I never thought I’d see the day when Seth Lynch fell in love,” Lachlan said.
Seth stared into January’s eyes. “Believe it.”
Her face was soft and warm, her eyes glowing. All for him.
He was one lucky bastard.
“Time to let me poke and prod you.” Callie shifted, sitting beside them. She opened her medical kit. Then she shone her penlight in January’s eyes.
Seth gently touched the egg on her head. “How’s your head?”
“I’m fine,” she said.
Callie clicked off the light. “Any dizziness? Blurred vision?”
“No.”
The medic’s face turned serious. “I want to do a full check when we get back to base.”
Callie was quick to smile, but there were times when her serious side rose to the surface. She could be fierce, particularly if someone was injured.
January sighed, but nodded. “Yes, ma’am.” January tossed Callie a salute that made them all wince. “But I’m taking a shower, first.”
“Fine,” Callie muttered.
Nearby, the jade sphere rested on a table between the seats. They’d decided it didn’t need to be kept in a containment box.
“It’s going to be locked away,” January murmured.
“Ty will do some more tests on both of the spheres,” Seth said. “They have lots of potential non-lethal applications that could be beneficial.”
She snuggled deeper into him and Seth held her tight. The LAPD were busy charging the Knights of Gaia soldiers and dismantling the L.A. cell. Kelleson’s body had been recovered from the shaft. Not to mention clearing Little Tokyo of vegetation.
Once the sphere was removed from the area, the plant growth had died down. And from what she’d heard, local law enforcement was using Smith’s flamethrower idea to remove the vegetation.
But most importantly, with Kelleson gone, the incarcerated Knights were talking. Information about other cells across the country was being handed to the FBI, and information about international cells was being passed to the relevant authorities. It would take some time, but the Knights of Gaia were going down.
“When do you need to get back to your dig?” Seth asked quietly.
A flash of uncertainty crossed her face. “Um…you in a rush to get rid of me?”
He hauled her even closer, so their noses brushed. “I don’t want you to go at all. Stay in Vegas for a bit. Recuperate.”
She smiled. “Well, as long as there’s a sexy guy cooking me breakfast every day.”
“That can be arranged.” He fiddled with her hair. “We’ll talk about where we go next.”
She lifted her hand and cupped his jaw. “You want that? A next?”
“Yes.” He pressed his lips to hers again. “If I had my way, you’d move in with me tomorrow.”
She gasped.
“I was trying to give you time—”
Her fingers clenched on his shirt. “Seth.”
“But now I’m not feeling like waiting.”
“Can I say something?”
“No.”
Her brows drew together. “I can talk if I want to, Lynch.”
“Later.”
“You are so annoying.” She shook her head, but she was smiling.
Soon, they landed back at Area 52.
When they walked into the base, January was holding the artifact. Seth knew she was somewhat sad to let it go.
“There are still so many mysteries about this thing,” she murmured. “And the Snake Kings.”
“I need to debrief with Jonah.” Lachlan nodded and strode off.
Kinsey appeared, all smiles. “I’m so glad you guys are okay.”
“Thanks, Kinsey,” Blair said.
“I know Ty is waiting for the sphere.” Kinsey eyed the artifact with interest. “It’s so pretty.”
“I’m going to shower.” Smith charged past them abruptly, and disappeared down the corridor.
“Well, I’m heading back to Vegas.” Kinsey shot them a wave. “I’ll see you back there.”
She headed out, followed by a chorus of goodbyes.
“Shower?” Seth asked January.
She nodded.
He leaned closer. “How about we borrow the sphere a little bit longer, before you hand it over?”
She shot him a blinding smile. “You have really grown on me, 007.”
“Lucky, because you aren’t getting rid of me.”
He hustled her down to his room. Inside, he took the sphere and tossed it on the bed.
She gasped. “Lynch, that’s a valuable artifact.”
“It’s fine.” He started stripping her clothes off.
Soon, he had her naked, and leaned down to kiss her bare shoulder. She tilted her head to the side and made a humming sound.
Seth backed her into the bathroom, yanking his own shirt over his head. He flicked the shower on until steam was billowing. As he opened his trousers, January’s hands were on his chest, running over his skin.
“You should never wear a shirt,” she murmured.
She didn’t even see his scars. No, that wasn’t right. She saw them, and she liked him just as he was. She took his damn breath away.
Even though Callie was waiting for January and Ty was waiting for the artifact, Seth wanted to take his time and savor her. He pulled her under the water, pressing her up against the tiles. He kissed her deeply, then ran his tongue along her jaw, down her neck, along her collarbone. Then he pulled one nipple into his mouth.
She moaned. “Seth.”
With the water pouring over them, he dropped to his knees, nudging her thighs apart. Her hands clamped in his hair, and Seth set to work. He swiped his tongue over her.
“Oh, God—”
Seth took his time pleasuring her. God, he loved her taste. He licked and sucked, loving every sound she made. He felt her thighs tremble, and her body wind tighter and tighter.
He sucked her clit.
“Oh. Oh.” Her breaths came in pants. “Coming.”
She broke apart, her cries echoing off the tiles.
Seth looked up her beautiful body, watching his woman come, knowing she was his forever.
January clutched Seth’s shoulders as he surged up, pressed her against the shower wall, and slid inside her.
Oh. She moaned, need pounding inside her. She wrapped her legs around his waist.
But Seth wasn’t rushing this time. His strokes were slow and deep. Like he wanted to take his time.
“God, I love the feel of you,” he ground out. “So tight, so warm.”
“Love the feel of you, too, Seth. You fill me up completely.”
He groaned, his gaze on her face. “I’ve seen the ugly side of life, January, but you are pure beauty.”
Pleasure shot through her. He trusted her. She knew that. And she knew what a gift it was. One that she’d cherish and protect.
Her second orgasm was growing, all her muscles tightening. Seth’s thr
usts increased in speed and power.
“Get there, hellcat,” he growled.
It hit her and she cried out his name. She scratched her nails down his back.
A few seconds later, he planted his cock deep and followed her, groaning as he poured himself inside her.
Then all January could hear was the sounds of their harsh breathing and the falling water. Her eyes fluttered closed. She felt too good to move, even if the water in the shower was beginning to cool.
“I’d be happy to do this for the rest of my life,” Seth murmured.
Her hands clenched tighter on him. “If you think I’m going to complain, you’re wrong.”
He laughed. “You do like to complain.”
She gave him a half-hearted slap on the arm.
“I’m going to ask for a few days off—pending any ancient technology appearing that could cause mass destruction.”
She giggled. “God, I hope that doesn’t happen a lot.”
“I’m going to take you out for dinner. Maybe at the Eiffel Tower Restaurant at the Paris Casino. We can spend some time at the tables in the new Aurora Casino. Maybe we’ll see a show.” He shut off the water, slid his hands beneath her, then carried her out of the glass enclosure. “Better yet, I might just keep you naked in my bed for a few days.”
She pressed her lips to his neck. “I like the sound of your plan.”
Seth set her down, and she stood there as he got towels and took his time drying her off. Finally, they dressed.
She glanced at the sphere resting on the bed. “I guess we’d better get that to Ty.”
“He’ll be going nuts,” Seth said.
She tucked the sphere close to her side. He grabbed her hand and they headed down to the lab.
As they entered, Ty turned and crossed his arms over his broad chest. “I’ve been waiting for that.” He strode over and snatched the sphere from January.
“Nice to see you, too, Ty,” Seth said. “Yeah, we were in a few tight spots on the mission, but we made it. Thanks.”
January tried to hide her smile.
“You’re breathing.” Ty looked at January, his handsome, imposing face relaxing the tiniest bit. “I’m glad you’re okay, January.”
“Thanks, Ty.”
“Heard you bumped your head. Is that the reason you’ve taken up with this guy?”
She laughed and saw Seth glaring at the scientist. But she could tell he didn’t really mean it.
“Callie is waiting for you in Medical,” Ty said. “Don’t be late for your checkup. That woman is hell on wheels if you don’t follow her orders.”
Leaving the sphere with Ty, Seth led January back to the Medical area down the hall.
“God, I feel good.” She smiled at him.
His lips quirked. “Yeah?”
“My mom would be so happy.” January stopped. “About my job, the artifacts I get to see.” She slid her hands up his chest. “And about the sexy, hot guy I’m falling in love with.”
He pressed his forehead to hers. “Right back at you, hellcat. I’m falling, too, and I’m pretty sure I’m about to happily hit the bottom.”
Her heart clenched. “I feel the same.” She shook her head and laughed. “God, if anyone had told me a few weeks ago that I’d be in love with you, I would have laughed myself sick.”
“Ditto.”
She tightened her hands on his shirt and licked her lips. “Are you scared?”
“Oh yeah.” He gave her a long, soft kiss. “But I know we’ll work this love thing out together, and enjoy every step.”
God, she was definitely in love with this man.
He tugged her into a room filled with medical equipment, and several narrow bunks. Callie looked up from a screen and lifted a hand.
“So, this is your domain?” January asked.
Callie patted a bunk. “My home away from home.”
January sat on the bunk and swung her feet up. As she lay back, she looked up at the high-tech scanner arched over the bed on a flexible arm.
Seth stepped back, crossing his arms over his chest, watching intently.
“I’m going to scan your head,” Callie said, moving the scanner into place.
“I’ve never seen anything like this equipment,” January said.
“Ty developed it. It’s a full-body scanner.”
The machine made a near-silent humming sound. It moved over her body—down to her toes and back up to her head.
Nearby, Callie looked at a screen. January saw a picture of her body appear, glowing different colors.
“All done,” the medic said.
Seth helped January sit up. “I’m making dinner reservations for tomorrow. You’ll need something sexy to wear.”
“Then I’ll need to go shopping.” She grinned at him. “You got a secret romantic side, 007?”
“Yeah. I showed it to you in the shower just before.”
January snorted and Callie groaned.
“Please,” Callie said. “My sex life is nonexistent, so take some pity on me and don’t rub shower sex in my face.” Then the medic stiffened a little.
January straightened, and Seth slid an arm around her shoulders.
God. What now? January pulled in a breath. “Callie?”
“Hang on.” Callie was tapping at the screen, shaking her head.
“What’s wrong, Callie?” Seth demanded.
“Dammit, this can’t be right.” She turned, not meeting their gazes.
January grabbed Seth’s hand, panic setting in. She’d felt like this before, when she’d been waiting to hear about her mother in the hospital.
Callie straightened, tucking a strand of dark hair behind her ear. “There’s no concussion. Your head is fine.”
“Okay,” January said, confused. “But?”
“Your hCG hormone levels are elevated.”
“What does that mean?” Seth growled, sounding like he was about to explode.
“January is pregnant.”
Silence filled the medical room.
January went still. “I’m what?”
“Pregnant. It’s very early. And when I say early, I mean really early, but this scanner can detect it.”
January felt all the air solidify in her chest. “I… I…” She looked at Seth. He looked like he’d been punched in the gut. “Callie, that’s impossible. I’m on birth control.” God, would Seth think she’d lied to him? “I haven’t been with anyone but Seth in a really long time. I can’t be pregnant in under a week!”
“Your hormone levels are elevated. And as for your birth control…I think I know what might have caused it to fail.” The medic’s gray gaze swung between them. “I think it was the artifact. Ty told me it appears to increase fertility in all living things, not just plants.”
Shock reverberated through January. “Oh, God.”
She swiveled to look at Seth. His face was blank and his eyes were wide.
“Seth?” She dragged in a breath. She felt like she was going to start hyperventilating.
Suddenly, a smile broke out on his face. “We made a baby.” His tone sounded reverent.
She blinked. He looked…pretty damn happy.
“It’s early days,” Callie said. “But yes, you did.”
Seth placed a palm on January’s belly. “Hell, James, we made a baby.”
January’s muscles relaxed, happiness peeking through her panic. “Seth—”
“I want a girl,” he said. “With thick, brown hair and hazel eyes.”
Callie laughed. “Should be interesting to see you as the father of a teenage girl wanting to date, Seth.”
Seth’s smile evaporated. “Hell.” Then he looked at January. “Boys. I want boys.”
“You’re truly okay about this?” January said. “A week ago, you didn’t do relationships.”
“Looks like I got tamed by my hellcat.” He pulled her close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “But it’s your body, January…”
“Shh.” Go
d, she loved him. “I want a girl.”
“Congratulations, you guys,” Callie said.
Seth scooped January into his arms and she let out a small cry. He strode out of Medical, down the corridor, and into the rec room.
The rest of the team was there, sitting around the tables, eating. Everyone looked up.
“What’s wrong?” Lachlan rose from his chair.
“I’m going to be a father,” Seth announced.
There was a stunned silence.
January smiled. “Apparently, I don’t have a concussion, but I do have a bun in the oven.”
“The artifact,” Ty said.
“Oh, hell,” Smith grumbled.
Axel frowned. “Does that mean we all have super-swimmers now?”
“We need to run some more tests,” Ty muttered.
Axel groaned. “Then I’m sticking to my hand until you get your results.”
As the others all started talking, January leaned into Seth. “I love you, Seth.”
He pulled her closer. “I love you, too.”
“You sure we can do this?”
“Absolutely. We’re going to rock at this parent thing. You’ve made me realize that with love and trust, anything is possible.”
He kissed her, and the rest of the room melted away.
God, she was the luckiest woman in the world.
Chapter Twenty-One
Seth looked into the mirror and straightened the jacket of his suit.
“Ready?” Lachlan stepped out behind him. He was wearing a similar dark suit, white shirt, no tie.
Seth nodded, eager to go. “I’m ready.”
Lachlan smiled. “Seth Lynch, chomping at the bit to get married. The impossible does come true.”
Seth grinned. He was so ready to claim January as his. His woman and the mother of his baby.
It had been several weeks since their return from Los Angeles, and it had thankfully been quiet for Team 52. Seth had taken some days off, and he’d spent every minute of that time with January—most of it in bed.
She’d been down to visit her dig, and he’d gone with her. He’d discovered he loved watching his woman work, and he enjoyed taking photos of her and her team as they worked. He was discovering a new love of taking photos of people and all their expressions.