“Come here.” He tugged her down onto his lap sideways, wrapped his arms around her, and set his chin atop her head.
She wiggled around trying to get comfortable, and he had to force his dick not to respond to the movement. Now was not the time for that.
“I know you guys are going to end up going after that jerk, and … well, I can’t explain it, but I just have this weird feeling that something bad is going to happen.” Her voice was soft, her words hesitant. “Something just feels … different this time.”
She was right. His history with Udallcouldheighten the level of danger for this op. But Boone knew the man better than most, knew how his mind worked, and he knew that Udall would come for him eventually.
Why not take the fight to him first?
Her worry might also be exacerbated by the change in their relationship. Knowing someone you care about is walking toward danger instead of away from it is not something most people deal with.
Whatever the cause, he wasn’t going to dismiss her feelings as if they weren’t legitimate or significant.
“I can’t tell you that nothing bad will happen. You know all too well that’s not true.” She’d learned that difficult lesson firsthand while being held at The Farm. “But this is what we do—we go after the bad guys—and we’re very good at it.” He drew his chin back and looked down at her. “And doing what we do, out there in the field, is a hell of a lot easier knowing you’re here, backing us up.”
“You guys do all the heavy lifting, and you’re the ones out there risking your lives.” She stroked the front of his T-shirt, and he wasn’t even sure she realized she was doing it. “I’m sitting in a highly secured, climate-controlled room staring at monitors and providing you with GPS coordinates. Which, by the way, is redundant, since you all have portable satellite phones that provide that information in real time.”
“You’re a hell of a lot more than that.” He gently tightened his hold on her to emphasize his words. She needed to understand the enormity of her impact on their overall success. “You have our backs in a way that gives us the confidence and ability to push forward, to keep going until the bad guys are caught. We are able to do what we dobecauseyou’re back here, watching over us and providing us with critical, real-time intel. Make no mistake, Luna—you are our lifeline, and I don’t ever want tohear you minimizing your importance again.” He kissed the top of her head. “Got it?”
“Yeah, I got it.” There was a hint of a smile to her words when she said, “I never knew you were so bossy.”
“You think I’m bossy now, just wait until I have you in my bed.”
She lifted wide eyes to him, and her mouth opened and closed.
Before she could react further, he placed a quick kiss on her forehead, slid one arm beneath her thighs, the other behind her back, and stood with her in his arms.
“Grab your stuff so we can secure it in your office,” he said. “I’ve missed you, and I want to take you to lunch.”
He started to lean down to allow her to pick up her laptop.
“Boone!” She looked toward the door and whispered harshly, “Put me down!” She wriggled and pushed against him until he set her on her feet. “I’m perfectly capable of walking to my office.” She straightened her shirt and gathered up her laptop and cables.
“You’re right. Sorry.” You couldn’t blame him for wanting to be close to her, to feel her body against him. “Can I at least hold your hand? A week is a long time,” he teased.
Luna rolled her eyes.
“I’ve missed you, too.” She grabbed his hand and practically pulled him from the conference room.
He’d never dated anyone he worked with before, and fortunately, there was no rule against it at OSI. Hell, Andi and Calliope deployed side by side with their significant others during multiple ops. Though, since having kids, Jonathan and Andirarely deployed at the same time anymore. Jonathan said they didn’t want to risk turning their children into orphans. One of the harsh realities that had to be considered when committing to a career like theirs.
Fortunately, Luna’s position with Dark Ops kept her out of harm’s way. He wasn’t sure how he would deal with her intentionally plunging headlong into dangerous situations. She’d faced enough struggles in her life, and he wanted to wrap her in a protective cocoon and keep her from ever being hurt again. If that made him a male chauvinist, then so be it. Because even though they’d only just begun to explore their relationship, the thought of losing her gutted him.
Boone’s dad had been the one to foster his protective instincts when it came to women. His mom was incredibly strong and independent, but he’d grown up watching his dad treat her like the most special creature on planet Earth.
He would pull her close with a big smile and say things like, “Isn’t she just the prettiest girl you’ve ever seen, son?” and “I’m the luckiest fella in the world.” Then he’d plant a big old kiss on her.
“Oh, hush.” His mom would blush and give him a playful swat on the chest.
His father showed his love for her in unconventional ways. She wasn’t into jewelry, fancy clothes, shoes, or purses. Not even close—she disdained those things—said they were a waste of money. The way to his mom’s heart had four legs—horses. She loved them—allof them. She loved breeding them, training them, and she especially loved riding them through the hills on their land.
Knowing this, his dad built her one of the best indoor breeding and training facilities in Wyoming. And every year, on her birthday, he would trade in her horse trailer for a shiny new one. Some of the finest quality quarter horses came out of his mom’s facility, and people paid a hell of a lot of money for them, too.
Sometimes his dad’s overprotectiveness rankled her, but she never complained because she realized it came from a place of love and appreciation for her special role within the family.
Their relationship set the bar for what Boone hoped to have someday.
“You’re smiling,” Luna said. “What are you thinking about?”
