His face came into view on screen. Silvery-blue eyes, thick black hair, rugged features with a nice shadow covering his jaw. He looked like a tough-guy wildlife biologist on safari.
Next to her, Lisa sucked in air. “Whoa,” she whispered. “Seriously hot.”
Hope smiled. “I was just talking to Wingman.”
“That bird’s weird,” Paxton said. Behind him was a beautiful sunlit beach with aqua-colored water that looked too inviting to resist.
She wished she could vacation with him and get out of the snow. “Where are you?”
“I’m in Saint Thomas,” he said, leaning back a little bit. “We’re in the Caribbean studying the migration patterns of the Gulf fritillary. We’re trying to figure out how the little beauty initiallyarrived here.”
Hope assumed he was talking about a butterfly. “Fun.”
“Yeah, they’re part of the ‘brush-footed’ or Nymphalidae butterfly family, referring to the short hairs on the front of its legs.” His eyes shone as he warmed to the subject. “They like passionflowers, so they’re also known as the passion butterfly.”
Hope gave Lisa a look. “That’s fascinating, Pax.” He combined adorable geekiness and rugged sexiness in a way that warmed her heart as well as other partsof her anatomy.
He grinned. “Sorry. I got carried away. But I’m calling you for a reason. Guess what?”
“What?” Hope held her breath.
“We’re coming homefor Christmas.”
Elation whipped through her. “Oh, I’m so glad.” She had found him the perfect cutting-edge microscope set and had wanted to give it to him in person. She had also bought brand-new editions of Realm Sudoku, which for some reason he seemed to love, although he never sat still long enough to play. “When will you be home?”
“I think the day before Christmas, but I’ll let you know for sure.” He looked over his shoulder. “Oh, my uncle is calling me. I have to go. I miss you.”
“I miss you too. I’ll see you soon.” She clicked off.
“You look way too happy for him to be just a friend.” Lisa returned her attention toher mug of rum.
Hope let herself bask in the moment for two seconds and then shoved the dream away. “The male has grown up nicely.”
“I would say so,” Lisa burst out. “Did you see that chest? He wasn’t wearing a shirt. Did you notice? Because I sure as heck noticed. That was one heck of a chest.”
Hope chuckled. “Yes, Paxton ended up very muscled and good-looking somehow, even though he chases butterflies around the globe.” She was grateful that he wasn’t part of her world of strategy and war. After his upbringing, he deserved peace. “But we’re friends, and we’ll always bejustfriends.” She knew fate had other plans for her. But the words rang hollowjust the same.
Lisa fanned herself. “If you say so, although I think you’re crazy, girlfriend.”
Hope thought about explaining just as her cousin Collin strodeinto the room.
“We’re on go,” he said, securing his duffel bag over his shoulder. “Two women, definitely enhanced. Our first solo mission. The team is heading to the helicopter to take us to the coast. We’ll catcha plane there.”
Hope put her cup on the table near the tree, her heart beating faster. “Whereare we going?”
“Paris.” Collin glanced at his watch. “We’re wheels up in twenty minutes.”
Hope thought through mission parameters. “I have a go bag and will meet youat the hangar.”
“You’ve got it,” Collin said. “Liam is acquiring weapons, and I’ll assist him. See you there.” He strode out of the room.
Lisa blew out air. “Wow. What is it with these immortal males? I mean, dangerously sexy.”
Hope blinked. “I guess.” He was her cousin, so she’d never really looked at him that way. “Lisa, you’re safe here, and you can stay as long as you want.”
“Thank you.” Lisa leaned in for an impulsive hug. “You’re going out there to save two morewomen like me?”
“That’s the plan.” Hope slid her phone into the back pocket of her cargo pants as anticipation trilled through her veins. Finally, she and her team would have a chance to work on their own and make a difference. She would not fail those women.No matter what.
