His mouth was on her neck, then her lips. “You okay?”
She chuckled. Heat crawled up her chest at the display of them naked, her legs wrapped wantonly around him and her breasts free. “Yes.”
“Good, because we’re doing that again later.” He lifted her off the counter, then set her on her feet before bundling the hotel robe around her shoulders.
She pulled on her pajamas and waited for him to dress, leaning against the counter they’d just tainted. He pulled on his shirt, and every perfectly shaped muscle rippled with the action.
Her mouth watered. No man had ever stirred this kind of desire in her. For as long as she could remember, Roarke had been her rock. Now, he was so much more.
His eyes met hers, and his mouth lifted at the corner. “Like what you see?”
She laughed, then leaned in and kissed him. “Oh, yeah. As a matter of fact, I love every inch.”
His mouth found hers, and she had to fight the urge to hop back up on the counter.
Chapter
Twenty-Seven
Roarke glanced out of the kitchen window. In the backyard, Emmy played with a couple of kids from the neighborhood. They’d been living at Laine’s childhood house for two weeks, and their life had fallen into a routine.
Too much so.
Because in less than two weeks, he’d be on a plane back to Kuwait. He couldn’t get a wild idea out of his head: maybe he could take them with him. When they were there last, they hadn’t been able to experience the beautiful city. But he couldn’t, in good conscience, take them to his apartment—a place he’d have to leave because his address was now compromised.
He hadn’t suggested his idea to Laine. His work was far too dangerous, and he stayed at his apartment only for short periods between jobs. Most of the time, he was off in other countries. As much as he wanted them with him, he’d have to settle for trips to the US and flying them out to visit in between.
As he’d told Laine, they’d make it work. Had to.
Laine’s slippers scuffed over the hardwood floor into the kitchen. She stopped next to him, holding a cup of coffee. “I’m so happy she found some kids her age.”
Roarke turned to face her, leaning his back against the counter. “Do you still want to move?”
She took a long sip of her coffee. “Yes. I like it here, but it’s ... heavy.”
He nodded. He felt the same. Christ, every inch of this place held memories. Some he’d completely forgotten; others were tattooed in his mind. “I get what you mean. Remembering isn’t a bad thing, but here, it feels like the only thing.”
She nodded vigorously. “Exactly.” Her expression turned serious. “How’s Striker doing? Will he return to Kuwait with you?”
He hoped like hell Striker would be ready to work by then. But if he wasn’t nearly one-hundred-percent, the risk was too great. Last night, he’d gotten more information about their next mission, and now he was even more hesitant to take his friend.
“The guys are coming by in an hour. We’ll discuss, see how he’s doing. He left Paige’s house last week. Couldn’t get out of there fast enough.”
Laine chortled. “Well, I’d better get Emmy to swimming lessons.”
Ninety minuteslater and the tension in the living room was thick. Wraith sat next to Viper and Striker on the couch. Havoc and Reaper had driven in late last night and were staying at a hotel not far from Laine’s house.
After taking leave for three months due to a gunshot wound that had punctured his lung, Reaper was ready to return to work.
Roarke had already screened him and went over his medical records. Besides, if Reaper said he was ready to return, he was ready. And judging by the hungry, restless look in his friend’seyes, nothing would keep Sigurd “Reaper” Skov from their next mission.
Havoc sat on the love seat looking way too big for the worn furniture. Reaper rocked on his heels pensively, the Nordic guy on edge and ready to challenge anyone who thought he shouldn’t return to work.
Roarke sat across from him on the edge of the coffee table, his elbows braced on his knees, ignoring the daggers Striker was firing from his eyes.
“I’m fine, ya dumb fuck.”
Roarke ignored the blow. “You were shot twice two weeks ago and lost two liters of blood.”
