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  He lifts me and slides out. Standing in front of him, I wrap the robe around my waist as he adjusts and fastens his pants. Then he scoops me to him again, kissing my nose. “For this surprise, I’ll get her a little gift.”

  “Oh! Speaking of surprises, come with me.” Pulling him to the couch, I push him around and make him sit. “Sit here, and don’t move. I mean it.”

  He grins, watching me leaning over him. The robe drifts apart, and of course, he catches my nipple between his fingers, giving it a small pinch. “Ow—stop!” I yelp a laugh. “I said don’t move.”

  “Darlin’, I haven’ seen you in a week.” He tries to grab me, but I dodge.

  “Don’t pull that southern charm on me.”

  “I’ll pull more than that on you.” The devilish twinkle in his eye almost causes me to forget my little surprise.

  I manage to resist. “Just wait.”

  A quick pit-stop in the toilet to freshen up, and I dash to the kitchen. Opening the freezer, I pull out the bottle of cava I brought. Tiny bits of ice float in it, but I pop the cork and pour him a flute—ginger ale for me. Next I take the two large olive-salad sandwiches from the fridge and arrange them on plates. It’s all loaded onto a tray, which I carry on my shoulder to the living room where he’s waiting.

  “What have you done?” His voice is full of warmth as he watches me from the sofa.

  “Since you’ve been working too hard—”

  “Exaggeration.”

  “Since you’ve been working too hard,” I repeat, “I decided to recreate our relaxing spa vacation in the desert.”

  Placing the tray on the coffee table, I hand him his flute and lift mine. “To family restrooms.”

  He laughs and clinks back. “To the gorgeous woman who drives me to crazy extremes.”

  We sip and I crawl forward on the couch to kiss him and tell him again. “I love you.”

  He leans forward, placing his flute, the tray, my flute, all of it on the coffee table. Then his hands move through the open robe to pull me onto his lap in a straddle, facing him. Just that fast, his mouth is on my neck, nibbling and kissing. My eyes are closed, and I’m powerless.

  “I love you more,” he says beside my ear with a deep inhale. “You smell so good.”

  Threading my fingers in his hair, I kiss his temple. “I wore the red lace…”

  A rumble of approval, and his lips touch that spot behind my ear, a light scruff against my skin, sending shivers flying down my legs.

  “My favorite.” His voice is thick as I pull his cheeks, reuniting our mouths.

  For a moment, we make out like teenagers, hot and breathless, tongues entwining. He holds me against his bare chest, my elbows are bent, and my palms are on his cheeks. His mouth is like some rich, decadent chocolate I can never get enough of tasting. As we kiss, I feel him relax, and my hands slide behind his neck, my lips travel up to his brow. He hugs me against his torso and doesn’t move. Neither do I.

  This big, strong man saved me twice. If comfort is what he needs, I’m here to give it to him. I’m here to give him anything. After a few more breaths, his arms relax. I lean back and study his face a moment. The robe has dropped around my shoulders, so I’m basically sitting nude on his lap, but I don’t care.

  “Hungry?” I reach for the sandwich plate and hold it between us, right at our chins. “You probably won’t think it’s as good as Central Grocery, but I think it’s delicious.”

  His blue eyes take me in before he bites. “Mmm…” is all I get.

  Giggling, I lean forward and take a bite myself. The tangy, savory flavor of olives and smoky provolone fills my mouth.

  “Delicious!” My voice is muffled.

  His smile glows as he watches me, his voice full of love. “How’s the baby?”

  Lowering the sandwich to the plate, I turn and put it on the side table again. “I can’t feel a thing, but the doctor said he’s doing great.”

  My last checkup was a week ago, and we both agreed unless something unusual occurred, Derek could miss the routine exams. So far everything has been by the book.

  “So he’s a boy now?” I love his grin at the prospect of a little son.

  Shrugging, I acquiesce. “Maybe… it’s too soon to know.”

  His attention moves from my face to my abdomen. Large hands span my bare stomach before he leans forward and kisses me right below my sternum, right at the top of my belly.

  “I love you,” he whispers to the little bean growing there.

  I’m certain my heart melts in that instant, and I catch his face again to cover it with kisses. He’s right with me, lifting me in his arms and carrying me to the master suite. A California king-sized bed fills the space, and he spreads me out on the soft mattress, lying on his side next to me.

  I trail my fingers lightly over his brow, to his temple, following a line to his strong jaw. He looks at me like I’m the most fragile thing in his bed—another detail he knows isn’t true.

  We don’t disturb the moment, though. The truth might be that both of us are strong as iron, tough as flint, but holding each other, we know how precious it is that we’re here, together.

  The randomness of chance keeps us both in awe, and for that, we treasure these moments. After working so hard, our reunions are the sweetest bliss. He holds me, and I feel very needed and extremely sexy. This man is like water in the desert to me, and it isn’t hard to see the feeling is mutual.

  “I’m sorry I interrupted dinner.” Leaning forward, he nibbles the skin at my neck, and a surge rises between my legs. “Can you wait?”

  My voice is thick as I answer. “I guess so…”

  His mouth moves to my stomach then lower. My heartbeat quickens, knowing what’s coming. A kiss to my navel, his tongue lightly traces the small circle, and I whimper.

  “You guess so?” The sly grin in his voice tells me he knows I’ll wait. I’m buzzing with anticipation as it is.

  One quick slide, one quick lift, and my thighs are open. Toes curled, I let out a little cry as soft lips, scratchy beard, trace a line down my inner thigh to the center where his warm tongue makes a slow pass around my clit.

  “Oh, god!” I curl up, threading my fingers in the sides of his hair. “Derek!”

  Blue eyes are on me in a grin as another hot, firm circle covers that sensitive bud hidden between the folds. I collapse back with a groan of pleasure.

  He sucks and pulls as I writhe, covering my eyes as the pleasure roars through my pelvis. My hips follow the movements of his mouth. He doesn’t stop, doesn’t let up until I’m bucking and moaning, holding his head and trembling.

  Two thick fingers push inside, and my knees rise on their own. One more little pull, and he kisses my stomach, on the way up before thrusting into me, rocking hard and fast.

  He’s the one groaning now, and I’m holding on, burning in my afterglow as he joins me, his second orgasm even stronger than the first. One large hand grips my ass, and the other is pressed against the wall behind me as he thrusts again and again, harder and deeper, before letting go with a low moan.

  For a moment, he’s still. I’m lying back on the bed, admiring his lined stomach and broad shoulders. His head drops, and I reach for him. With a swift scoop, he rolls us both to the side, and I’m clutched close against his chest, his arms around my waist. His lips press against my shoulder, and I try to remember what we were even saying before on the couch.

  He exhales, speaking into my hair. “You have no idea how happy I am to see you.”

  That makes me laugh, and I squeeze him tighter. “I think you’ve shown me twice now.”

  “I intend to show you several more times before Sunday. I might not let you leave this bed.” His tone sends a thrill to my stomach… which is followed by a loud rumble. We both laugh.

  “Baby is not amused. You’d better run get our dinner before he starves.”

  He’s up in a flash, pausing to lean back and kiss my forehead roughly before heading to the living room. I
admire his tight rear view flexing as he walks out the door to our abandoned dinner. Then he’s back, still sporting a semi along with the tray of food and drinks.

  My head is shaking. “You’re insatiable.”

  “And you’re gorgeous.”

  “Flattery will get you everywhere.” I fluff the pillows and sit back against them while he arranges the tray between us on the mattress.

  A quick sip, and he puts the flute on the side table. “I feel bad having cava without you.”

  “Mmm, I don’t mind. It reminds me of the night we met.”

  “You were the most amazing creature I’d ever seen, sitting at the bar, wrinkling that little nose with every sip.” He touches my nose with a grin. “Adorable.”

  “That drink was disgusting. Seven and seven.” I shudder and take another bite of sandwich. “This is much better.”

  “I was done for the moment I saw you. I couldn’t stay away.”

  Nodding, I swallow my bite. “You were pretty intimidating being so focused, but lucky for you, I wasn’t backing down anymore. From anything.”

  He doesn’t speak, instead he traces a line down the side of my face, along my hairline as his lips tighten.

  “Or I should say lucky for us,” I continue. “Looking back, it was pretty reckless, actually. You could’ve been anybody.” My eyes roam over his darkened expression, and I put my plate aside. “What are you thinking?”

  “I had no idea what you were facing.” A note of anger is in the background of his tone. “What was waiting for you at home.”

  My fingers lace with his, lowering his hand to my lap. “We’ve discussed this. That’s all over now. It’s the past. There’s no point letting it ruin our present.”

  Being here with him, contemplating our life together, makes it more than easy to forget my old scars. Those are days I can easily let fade into the deep background.

  “I know.” He pulls me to him, and I curl into his chest. Showered, stomach full, sexually blissed out, my eyes start to drift.

  He might be the one needing comfort, but in this moment, in his strong arms, I’m feeling as safe as a queen—and as sleepy as an expectant mother.

  Derek’s arms are tight around me, and his lips press a gentle kiss to the top of my head. It’s the last thing I remember before drifting into happy slumber.

  Chapter 2: Special Skills

  Derek

  Only two hours have passed since I told Melissa goodbye, and already that tightness is creeping across my chest. It’s a mixture of anger and needing her in my sight where I know she’s safe.

  She didn’t press the subject, but all weekend I could tell she wanted to know what I was working on¸ what was “bothering me.”

  Damn Nikki. If I weren’t so pleased by the luscious surprise of finding Mel waiting for me half-nude in my condo Friday night, I’d reprimand her for keeping tabs on me. I don’t need an office manager who doubles as my mother, or who reports my behavior back to my aunt—or my fiancée.

  Melissa stayed to this morning, Monday. She’s so different than when we first met. Even back then she had that confidence, but she’s happy now. She’s also a little rounder, with our baby on the way. It’s a killer combination. I love it, and every time I’d bury my face in a new curve, she’d shriek and complain loudly. I almost couldn’t let her leave.

  Smiling at my desk, I look out the window at the bare winter landscape of the courtyard, thinking of her. This morning as I watched her sleep, I couldn’t help breathing a little prayer of thanks. I don’t pray, but with that angel in my bed, how could I not? She was curled up facing me, her delicate hand under her chin and her dark hair spread behind her on the pillow.

  It was like our own world, secure and full of love. She’d stirred, and meeting her beautiful blue eyes, another quiet thank you echoed through my mind, only this time my memories were on our first encounters. How incredibly sexy she was giving in to me, and how breathless I’d been waiting for her to push me away. She never did.

  “How long have you been awake?” She’d touched my cheek then smoothed her fingers into my hair.

  “Not long.” I’d caught her hand and brought her palm to my lips.

  She touched my brow, smoothing it back. “You’re less tense than when I got here, and now I have to leave again.”

  “You forget, I’m trained for periods of separation.” Even as I said it, I knew nothing would make telling her goodbye easier.

  She pushed up into a sitting position and moved me onto my back. “So being a Marine means you don’t miss me?” Her elbows were bent, and one cheek rested on her palm.

  I couldn’t help laughing at her eyes narrowed in disbelief. I wasn’t fooling anyone. “I miss you like the worst pain in the world. Like the desert misses rain.”

  “That’s a song.” She kissed me lightly. “And something you have experience with.”

  Catching her neck, I pulled her forward for a better kiss, but she arched away before I could take it further. “I want to know more about your training. What are your special skills? Besides not missing me when we’re apart, of course. Can you fly a plane?”

  I shook my head with a chuckle. “Sorry, darling. No piloting for me, but I think Patrick did some flying—”

  “I don’t believe it. You know things. Tell me!”

  Pressing my lips together, my eyes moved down to her chin then to her slim neck where my heart dangled on a thin, gold chain. Yes, I know things.

  “You keep so many secrets from me,” she sighed. “What are you thinking now?”

  “The things I know aren’t things you want to hear about.” Reaching over, I slid my palm over the curve of her waist.

  She caught my cheeks in her hands and drew my gaze back. “I want to know everything about you.”

  For a moment I hesitated. Then my eyes were drawn to the scar, that tiny silver line that starts at the top of her forehead, just above her temple, and disappears into her hairline. “I can kill a man with my bare hands.”

  Our eyes met again, and I could tell she knew where my thoughts had gone.

  “Have you ever done it?”

  When I answered her, my voice was quiet. “I’ve had to kill people.”

  She hugged herself close against my chest. “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to bring up painful memories. We don’t have to talk about it.”

  Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her up slightly so I could kiss her neck. “Have I told you how amazing you are?”

  A laugh bubbled in her throat. “You always say that. I’m not so amazing.”

  Rolling us so she was on her back, I looked down into her beautiful face. “You’re smart and beautiful. You’re incredibly busy, but you make time to show up here—”

  “When I know you need me.” Leaning down, I kissed her jaw as she continued. “You’d do the same for me. Besides, I can work from anywhere.”

  “Then work from here.”

  “You can work anywhere, too.”

  Our old argument. Neither of us chased it any further—not on our last morning together. We were counting down the hours before we’d be apart again, and instead, I focused on trailing my lips down to her collarbone, past the floating heart, lower to her breasts until we were lost in our special place once more.

  Now, sitting at my desk remembering, the only thing strong enough to spoil the afterglow of our weekend is this new case… and her old scar. That damn silver line, a constant reminder of what that fucker did to her. Even worse, it reminds me he’s still out there walking around free.

  In my line of work, I know how those assholes are. They all have some fucked up notion their victims belong to them—only them. My fist is clenched on the desktop, and I focus on relaxing it.

  Sloan will pay for what he did to Mel. I intend to make sure of it, but she’s right. Letting him spoil our present gives him too much power. I’d rather put that aside, in my “To Do” file, and focus on my weekend with my little family—sheer red lingerie, loads of sex, and n
onstop affection—hell, I should have a shitty week more often.

  Shitty week…

  I turn to my computer and stare at the report on the screen. As much as Mel wants to know, I can’t bring myself to tell her what I’m investigating. It’s not that I want to hide my work from her. She could probably help solve half the cases on my desk. I don’t want her to be afraid, and I don’t have a reason to make her worry yet.

  Patrick’s in Wilmington watching over her for me, being the guard he is when I’m not there, and I’ve got tabs on Sloan. We’ll know if he leaves the city or makes any threatening moves. Privately, I wish he would. Nothing would make me happier than taking him out in an act of self-defense. With his record, not a jury in the world would convict.

  Nikki snaps me out of my reflections. “I’m headed to the coffee shop. Can I get you anything?” She’s standing at the door in one of her usual, too-tight wrap-dresses.

  It takes me back to her first day here, assigned by my aunt Sue’s temp agency. I was still grieving Allison. Three years had passed since my first wife died, but time didn’t matter. I didn’t want a replacement wife or a girlfriend or an outlet or anything, and the idea that my aunt might’ve selected this woman for any of those reasons got under my skin like nothing else. I didn’t need help getting over my wife. I had no intention of getting over her ever, and Nikki’s appearance pissed me off.

  The reality is, despite her former, inappropriate assertions that I needed to “get laid,” she never once made a pass at me. She’d actually seemed more interested in Stuart, my first partner and Patrick’s older brother.

  I suppose after all this time I should put the past behind us. It doesn’t make sense anymore now that I have Melissa. Everything has changed.

  She’s waiting, and I exhale. “No. Thank you.” The departure from my usual, impatient tone makes her pause, and I continue. “You’re always thoughtful, Nikki. I appreciate it.”

  Her mouth drops open and then quickly closes. “I’m… um… well.” She stops stammering, pokes her lips out duck-face style, then nods. “Okay, then. You’re welcome.”