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KAYLEE SAT BESIDE NICK in his rental car the following morning, feeling unsettled. Nick’s words had churned in her mind all night: “My boss is the one who sent me.” That’s what this was all about. She was a job. Yes, they had a past, and the fire between them burned even hotter than it had years ago. The reality of the situation was that this was Nick’s life now. He worked for a security company. He was on a Black Ops Team. Her insides twisted as she wondered how many other women he’d slept with—women he was tasked to protect. Surely every woman he came across didn’t fall into bed with him as quickly as she had, but there must have been others. Nick was attentive and protective, not to mention hot as hell.
Embarrassment washed over her as she recalled last night. He’d tried to slow things down, and she’d practically begged him to take her. She bit her lip, glancing out the window as the trees flew by. After they’d eaten dinner, he’d called some of his team and briefed them on the situation. The license plate of the car tailing Nick had come back as stolen, giving them no helpful information on the men who’d been inside. Kaylee and Nick had gone to bed shortly after that, planning to get an early start today.
She’d flushed as she’d seen him come out of the bathroom in boxers and a tee shirt last night. Nick hadn’t made things awkward though. He’d simply climbed into bed and wrapped himself around Kaylee, holding her close. She hadn’t begged him to kiss or undress her again. He hadn’t tried to either. Nick holding her as she slept felt intimate in a different way, and she didn’t even know what to make of the conflicting feelings coursing through her.
“What are you thinking so hard about?” Nick asked quietly. He flipped on the turn signal, taking the next exit. They’d decided to drive the several hours back to Omaha, and Nick’s boss had arranged for a private jet back to New York. She was nervous about someone finding her before then, but Nick had assured Kaylee that he’d keep her safe. She didn’t doubt that he’d protect her physically, but as for her heart? She’d have to guard that more carefully.
“I’m just nervous,” she said truthfully.
She felt Nick’s eyes on her but didn’t look over at him. When his gaze returned to the road, it was a relief. “You’ve been quiet since last night,” he observed.
Kaylee let out a soft sigh. “I’m scared. I haven’t been home in a month, Nick. And things between us? We got carried away last night,” she said softly, feeling her cheeks heat.
Nick reached over and took her hand, and she instantly felt her heartbeat slow. He’d always been able to soothe her with a simple touch. “I apologize for taking advantage of you like that. You were scared and vulnerable. I should never have stripped you bare and—”
She looked over at him in surprise. “You think that’s what this is about?” she interrupted. “You think that I’m mad at you?”
“You’ve been quiet ever since the woman knocked on the door when we were in bed together.”
“I’m embarrassed,” she admitted softly. “You probably protect other women all the time and I’m just—”
“There’s no one else, Kaylee,” he said, his deep voice doing something funny to her insides. “Sure, I’ve rescued other women over the years, but do I spend the night in their hotel room? Hold them close while I sleep because I can’t stand the thought of being apart? Negative. Everything has always been different with you.”
She felt her eyes welling with tears and glanced down at their joined hands. “You said your boss sent you, Nick.”
He gripped her hand tighter, his thumb rubbing over her skin. “You think I don’t want to be here? Jett told me to come so I’d get my head out of my ass. I’ve been worried about you ever since I got your text. Ask my teammates when you meet them. They all know about you. Sure, it’s been years since we were a couple, but when I thought you were in trouble? Hell. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to get to you.”
She looked over at him in surprise, his admission stunning her.
“Nick,” she said softly.
“I let you go all those years ago so you’d be free to do what you wanted and be happy in life. We were both so damn young.”
“Timing is everything,” she said, a sudden feeling of regret churning through her.
“We did what was right at the time. I never thought circumstances would lead me right back to your door, but here we are. I’ve spent my career chasing bad guys, ridding the world of evil men. If there are traitors stealing classified information at Offutt who are now out to get you because you were the lone witness, they have no idea who they’re dealing with. I’m better-suited to protect you than anyone, and I’ll damn well do it. I swear nothing will happen to you while you’re under my protection.”
“And after that?” she asked.
He didn’t answer, and Kaylee knew he was thinking the same thing that she was. They lived separate lives. Even though they’d picked up like a single day hadn’t passed, they were removed from their real lives at the moment. She’d go back to Omaha. He’d return to New York. The sudden ache in her chest was surprising. She wasn’t supposed to see Nick again, spend the night in his arms, so why did she suddenly long for what she’d given up all those years ago? The life she’d missed out on seemed to be dangling right in front of her. Nick was here, solid and strong and real.
“We’ll figure it out,” he finally said.
He kept hold of her hand as he drove, but Kaylee knew in her heart he’d disappear when this was all over. He’d left her behind once before, even though the decision had been mutual. They each had their own separate lives now.
That didn’t mean she wouldn’t always wonder what she’d missed out on.
***
FIVE HOURS LATER, NICK was leading her off the private jet. One of his teammates was there to greet them, and Kaylee didn’t miss his assessing gaze as he walked toward them. The guy was muscular, with dark hair and a short beard. As the sun peeked out from behind the clouds, he slid his sunglasses on. Somehow, he looked even harder than Nick. He was bigger, more muscular, but this man had been through something, no doubt. He was alert in a way Nick wasn’t. The “fuck-off” vibes radiating off his large frame let her know not to ask any questions. He might not hurt her, but he also wasn’t about to sit down for a heart-to-heart either.
“Kaylee, this is Gray,” Nick said as the man stopped in front of them. “We served together as Deltas and work together now at Shadow Security.”
Gray held out a hand, and it engulfed her own. She resisted the urge to press closer to Nick. Kaylee worked with military men and macho types on base. She wouldn’t let this one intimidate her. She noticed a tattoo peeking out from beneath his short sleeves. It was freezing cold outside, but he didn’t seem to notice. Kaylee had one of Nick’s big sweatshirts on over her own clothes, giving her some extra warmth. If Gray noticed that she was wearing Nick’s things, he didn’t comment on it. She doubted much got past him though. His hand was rough, but he was gentle as he shook hers. “I’ve heard a lot about you,” Gray said, his voice a deep timbre. “I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.”
“Likewise,” she agreed. “You served with Nick?”
“Guilty as charged,” he quipped “Can’t get rid of the guy now.”
“Asshole,” Nick muttered, but there wasn’t any heat in his tone. She was surprised Gray had made a joke at all. He seemed nothing but gruff and serious, but maybe he was just trying to make her feel more comfortable. Nick’s gaze landed on Kaylee again. “Gray’s going to drop us off at my place. I hope that’s okay. We could get you a hotel room, but I’d rather have eyes on you to make sure you’re safe.”
“Of course,” she said, feeling flustered as Gray’s lips quirked. His expression seemed all too knowing. She was positive Nick hadn’t told him what went on between them last night, but the men must all realize she was an ex-girlfriend. And what did Gray mean by saying he’d heard a lot about her?
“After we get you settled, we’ll head over to Shadow Security,” Nick continued. “West and his guys have some info for us.”
“Really?” she asked.
Nick nodded. “I don’t know what they found out yet, only that they’re eager to speak with us. I believe they’re hoping you can provide some additional information as well. We’d like to know who else may be involved in this so they can dig deeper.”
“We should head straight there,” Kaylee said.
“Whatever you prefer,” Nick assured her. “We can go there first and then to my place afterwards. One of the guys will have to give us a lift, since I don’t have my car. Lena, my boss’s assistant, is getting some things for you. Clothes. Extra toiletries. That type of stuff. We’ll make sure you have what you need while you’re staying here in New York.”
“Oh, wow. She didn’t have to do all that.”
“She doesn’t mind,” Gray said matter-of-factly. Kaylee’s eyes shifted to him, and she wondered how familiar he was with his boss’s hired hand.
“He’s right,” Nick said with a shrug. “Jett pays her well. Lena used to handle everything for him before he got married—work-related stuff, errands, cooking.”
“Jett’s even had her purchase Anna a gift or two,” Gray said, and she could see him biting back a smile. Before she could ask him what that was about, he turned, heading toward his truck. Kaylee watched him quizzically. For such a stern, macho guy, he seemed to have a soft spot for this woman.
“Do I even want to know what type of gifts she was buying for this Anna person?”
Nick chuckled. “I can only imagine. Anna’s a firecracker. After the night she and the boss met, she basically moved in with him and never left. They have a baby now plus another on the way. They just got married in December,” he added.
“Guess they don’t waste any time,” Kaylee joked, and she and Nick began moving across the tarmac toward the parking lot. Gray hadn’t turned around once, just assumed they’d follow. He seemed to be giving them a moment alone as well, which she appreciated. Her entire life had flipped on its side in the past twenty-four hours. The bus ride to the motel. Nick showing up in Nebraska. His hands and mouth on her....
She could feel herself flushing again.
Nick wrapped his arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. His lips pressed against the top of her head, and she felt her body instinctively relaxing into him. It felt good to be at his side. Safe. “We’re gonna figure this out,” he promised.
“I hope so. You don’t want me rooming with you for the rest of your life,” she said, attempting a weak joke.
“I don’t know. Last night worked out pretty well for a shitty motel. But if you were living with me, Kaylee?” She looked up at him as she waited for him to finish, shocked by the intensity in his eyes. “We’d be a hell of a lot more than just roommates.”
