“Oh.”
He lightly took her hand and she didn’t pull away. Progress. “And, honestly, despite what I said, I’d really like to kiss you again.” More than seemed advisable.
“Oh.” She glanced behind him again and then sighed, her posture easing a bit. Her tongue darted out to wet her lips.
Todd felt that gesture in his groin.
She met his gaze again and said, “Okay.”
Hot diggity. Trying to act natural, he leaned in and pressed his mouth to hers. So soft, so warm, so giving. Irresistible. When they kissed, it triggered some kind of chemical reaction that made him never want to stop.
Step back.
He heeded the warning before he wrapped her in his arms and made a spectacle of them both. “I’ll make my call while you go to the bathroom, and then we can get moving.”
She blinked and managed a forced smile. “Be right back.”
“Careful,” he said under his breath, unable to stop himself.
Her expression darkened, but she turned and walked away, a slight spring in her step as if she truly were on vacation with a lover and enjoying herself.
If only.
Ensuring he was far enough from anyone to be overhead, Todd dialed Kurt.
“Hey, boss,” he said when the man answered, trying to keep his tone light so his bearing would match. “You have a minute?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Got a bit of a problem.” Todd explained the situation, leaving out his growing attraction to Lindsey.
“Jesus.” Kurt was silent for several seconds before releasing a worried sigh. “Okay, for starters, I’ll get Valerie on this crooked sheriff. How else can I help? Do you want me to fly out there? Or send one of the guys?”
Todd’s breath loosened. He’d been with Kurt since the man had opened the doors of Steele Security five years ago. Todd had stuck with him out of loyalty to one of the best men he’d ever known, and the sense of family and team he’d found with the Steele crew after leaving the Air Force. He trusted every one of them to watch his back.
“I don’t think there’s anything y’all can do here right now, but I was hoping you’d know someone who can negotiate our surrender once we find Megan.” Time to play it optimistic. “I have an FBI contact in the Salt Lake City office, but I still want a lawyer before I get in touch.”
Wendy might not be happy to hear from him, but she was the closest thing to an ally he had in law enforcement right now.
“Sure thing. Let me make a few calls.”
“Appreciate it, man.” Todd started to run a hand through his hair and stopped at the feel of the sunscreen residue still stuck to the strands, patting it awkwardly instead. “If something goes wrong—”
“It won’t. We’re going to figure out how to protect you.” Kurt cleared his throat. “But as long as your emergency info is up to date…”
“It is.” The boss knew who to call if Todd were injured or worse, and had a letter for his family in the event of “worse.” At least he’d seen everyone right before leaving for Montana, even if Mom thought he was simply using this trip to work through his anger.
Well, in a roundabout way, wasn’t he?
“You sure you don’t want to turn yourselves in now and let the FBI find Lindsey’s friend?” Kurt asked.
“I’d love nothing more, but I don’t think Megan has that kind of time. We’ve already lost nearly a day. If she dies because we put ourselves first, Lindsey will never forgive herself.” Or Todd.
Kurt went quiet, and he could almost hear his boss—his friend—holding back an admonition about Todd’s own guilty conscience. But, thankfully, Kurt didn’t say it. “Call me anytime. I mean it.”
“I know. Thanks.” Todd squeezed the muscles at the base of his neck. “How’s Jason?”
“Impressing everyone at physical therapy with his rapid recovery.”
