Paige gulped. Tom sounded serious. What had she done now? Lord knew she’d screwed up plenty on this mission.
“Paige, had it not been for you, I might never have been exposed to the Special Forces community again. And for that, I owe you my thanks.”
She frowned, but he plowed on as if determined to get through this as fast as possible.
“During these past few days with you, I’ve realized how much I’ve missed being out in the field. My life is boring, safe and bland, and I’m sick and tired of it. I’ve made a decision. I’m going back into the Special Ops community full-time. As soon as we get back to the hotel, I’m calling Jack Scatalone and telling him I want back in.”
Paige’s heart thudded to her feet. For a second there she’d thought he was going to ask her…oh, heck, it didn’t matter. A guy like him would never go for a girl like her. It had all been a lovely fantasy while it lasted. But pure fantasy it unquestionably was.
She stammered, “Uh, I’m glad for you, Tom. It’s obvious you’re a highly experienced and really competent operator. Uncle Sam will be lucky to have you back. I wish you luck with it.”
“Is that all you have to say?” he asked, his voice low and intense. “Good luck and Godspeed?”
She flared up at him. “What do you want me to say?”
“How about pleading with me not to go? Or telling me how dangerous it is and that you’ll be worried sick about me? Or that you won’t be able to stand the suspense of waiting around for me to come home after long and dangerous missions away from you?”
Okay, now she was confused. “Why would I say any of that?”
He burst out, frustrated, “Because maybe you care for me just a little? Because you were hoping to spend more time with me and not have me running off to the nearest war zone? Maybe because you give a damn whether I live or die?”
“Of course I care about that, Tom. But I hardly have any right to tell you any of that other—”
He cut her off abruptly. “Oh, for Pete’s sake.” His mouth swooped down and captured hers, and then his arms wrapped around her, sweeping her up against him in a kiss that would have melted a sterner woman than she.
He grasped the back of her head with one hand, cradling it so his tongue and lips could thoroughly plunder her mouth. His body pressed impatiently against hers, and answering desire exploded within her. It was all right there, the scalding heat, the desperate need, the unbridled lust. And along with it came wonder, astonishment even, that this incredible man found her remotely attractive.
“You have the right, dammit,” he growled.
Her brain was too muddled with lust to follow what he meant. “Come again?” she mumbled.
“You have the right to worry about me and tell me not to go. I love you, you gorgeous, amazing idiot!”
Everything stopped. Her heart ceased beating. Time stood still. She was pretty sure the universe stopped expanding for a moment. Her mind went completely blank and she stared up at him in total incomprehension. “Love? Me?” she finally squeaked. “Yes. You.”
“Oh.” A pause. “Oh!”
“Well?” he demanded. “Well what?”
“You know, for a television news reporter, you’re singularly bad at forming complete sentences.”
“I…oh…well, then. It’s not every day the man of your dreams tells you that he loves you.”
Tom nodded firmly. “Better.” Then he seemed to fetch up mentally himself. “Man of your dreams?” he repeated in what sounded like minor shock. “Does that mean you love me, too?”
“You know, for a successful businessman, you’re not so good at making logical deductions.”
He laughed aloud. “Touché.” He tucked her under his arm and started walking once more. “Life with you’s going to be one hell of an adventure.”
“I thought you said you’re running off to join the Special Forces again.”
“I didn’t say anything about running off. I figure you’re going to need plenty of backup over the next few years. All I have to do is follow you around the world, and plenty of trouble’s bound to come to you.”
“Gee. Thanks.”
“Sure. No problem. Just keeping it real.”
“So you’re proposing to become my Special Ops team mate?”
He stopped. Took her by both shoulders. Stared down at her in exasperation. “No, pip-squeak. I’m proposing to marry you.”
“Oh.” Another pause. “Oh!” Heat rushed to her cheeks and suddenly she felt more than a little light-headed. “Ohmigosh. Are you serious?”
“As a heart attack, kid. You and me. Whaddaya say?”
“I think it sounds like the craziest, most maddening, completely chaotic thing I’ve ever heard of.”
“So that’s a yes?” he asked.
“Of course, you big galoot. I love you!”
He grabbed her then, picking her up in his arms and swinging her around. He gave a hoot of joy and kissed her soundly before setting her back on her feet. “You’ve just made me the happiest man in the whole world!”
She grinned up at him. “You hang on to that thought the next time I do a solo recon and stroll into the middle of a firefight in the name of saving you.”
“Don’t even think about it. Not on my watch.”
She laughed at him unrepentantly. “We’ll see about that.”
“This is exactly why I have to marry you and go operational with you. Who else is going to keep you from getting yourself killed?”
The smile faded from her face. “With you in my life, I’ve got every reason in the world to fight to live a very long time.”
He plucked the canteen out of her utility belt and unscrewed the lid. “Here’s to us. And to growing old together.” He took a sip and passed it to her.
She laughed and took the canteen. “Mmm. Body-temperature, stale water. Somehow that’s entirely appropriate to this ridiculous proposition. You and me married and teammates?” She shook her head but then lifted the container to him. “Here’s to our future adventures together. Lots and lots of adventures.”
He groaned as she tipped up the jug. “How about just enough adventures to keep life interesting and none that could get you killed?”
“Sorry. You’ve fallen in love with a Medusa. You’re in for it now, big guy.”
Their gazes met and they burst out laughing. Oh, yes. This was going to be a grand adventure, indeed.