Chapter Sixty-Four

Lena knew what this was. Or what she hoped it still was.

A distraction. Something to keep them from dwelling on the bad things that could happen. A few moments to think about something good instead of all the terrible scenarios and possibilities that played in her mind when she didn’t have something else to think about.

Dane was giving her something else to think about.

Once he’d declared her a good shot and fit for duty, he took her hand and led her back to their cabin, where he proceeded to watch as she pulled the gun from the back of her jeans and set it next to his on the side table by the sofa.

Maybe it was some kind of deputy marshal fetish or something, but it was clear that the action turned him on. And okay, when he picked up her gun and checked to make sure it was unloaded, she could maybe see the appeal of watching a shirtless man pull back the slide on a pistol.

When he was satisfied there wouldn’t be a misfire, he put the gun down and focused on her. He walked up and pulled her shirt right over her head in one swift motion. Before she could let out a gasp of surprise, he had tugged her bra to the side enough to latch onto one of her nipples.

She moaned and put her hands on his shoulders for support. The sensation had her feeling off balance. He reached for her pants and had them off in no time. He only released her breast to move to the other one.

She fumbled off her shoes and ended up falling onto the bed. He watched her through heavy-lidded eyes as he undid his pants slowly and prowled across the bed toward her.

She almost didn’t recognize the nervous giggle that came out of her. She hadn’t heard herself do that in a very long time. But there was no other way to respond to his predatory look.

She feigned an escape. A shriek of pleasant surprise was the next sound she made as he grabbed her ankle and pulled her toward him. The truth was, she definitely didn’t want to get away.

When he fell over her, he was smiling.

“I caught you. You’re mine now.”

The words melted into her heart. She wanted to be his. As much as she wanted him to be hers. But for now, they both belonged to two little people who were depending on them.

She smiled up at him. He’d hinted at a future together after the mission. A chance to have him when she was no longer worried sick over her daughter.

She didn’t know if it was possible. She wanted a normal, safe life for herself and Kenzie. But this man risked his life daily.

For now, she would enjoy this.

And enjoy it, she did.

Twice.