“Just wait, when all this is over, I'm taking you out. You have no idea.”
Kate caught a shadow of movement to her left, locked eyes on the familiar trim hard waist of Ethan and instantly went on alert. Their sex had been hot. Not just hot, like melt the bed and set the plantation on fire kind of hot.
How was she going to let him go when this was all over? He lived in Mercy, Mississippi, and now – now Kate was a nomad. A soldier for hire. What kind of relationship could she ever hope to have?
Ethan opened the door and leaned in, one massive arm propped on top of the limo. He was clothed head to toe in black. T-shirt, tactical pants and boots – a look she knew he'd have to trade out later tonight for a tuxedo at the wedding. Didn't matter. No matter what he wore he was completely and utterly devastating.
Her heart did that little flutter thing when he was around, but this one felt good, really, really good. And then he gave her a wide grin and she realized he’d shaved. She'd been so focused on her internal turmoil she hadn't even noticed the smooth cheeks and neatly pulled back hair.
“Close your mouth, sweetheart, you're drooling.” Ethan said with a wink.
Celine chimed in, “Yeah, right before I saw you this morning he came in for a cleanup, and I informed him the grunge look was so nineties.”
“What do you think?” Ethan gave her a flirty look, but the sincerity in his gaze made her realize her answer was important.
“I think...I think...” Kate stuttered, enthralled by the masculine angular jawline and lips that looked even more sculpted now.
“She likes it,” Ethan said to Celine.
“Hey, what can I say? I'm good.” Celine shrugged.
“I think you're in trouble.” Kate frowned and pursed her lips at Ethan.
“What for? I thought you'd like it?”
“Because this whole week you gave me beard burn. I thought you were trying to cover up a terrible scar or something.” Secretly, she enjoyed the abrasive feeling of his beard against her cheeks when he kissed her and against the other more sensitive parts of her body. But the thought of his smooth face gliding against her bare skin... Chill bumps spread across her arms. Kate croaked a finger at him. “Come here.”
He complied without hesitation, something she was enjoying more and more. Unlike the men she'd known in the CIA, Ethan hid absolutely nothing from her. She never had to second-guess herself or wonder if he was secretly shaking his head at something she’d done.
He squeezed into the limo, bracing a hand on the console to lean across. Kate placed a palm on each cheek, savoring the satiny feel of freshly shaved skin and captured his mouth for a smooth, silky kiss.
Ethan let her have her way, meeting her halfway but not taking control, and another part of the armor around her heart cracked.
Kate pulled back, breathless and enjoying the fact he was breathing just as hard as she was.
“What was that for?” he all but whispered.
“I wanted to test it out.”
“And?”
“I'll make sure to buy you a new razor every week.”
The sound of his rich, full laughter filled the cab of the limo leaving Kate grinning like a complete idiot when he pulled back out and stood up.
Ethan rapped on the hood. “The little bird is embarking. Hold tight. I'll bring her to you.”
“Oh, girl, you got it bad. Real bad.” Celine shook her head but the effect was devastated by her goofy grin.
Kate didn't bother to deny it. Ethan Slade had taken a jackhammer to her defenses and laid them out flat.
And she wanted to enjoy it for as long as she could.
“Kate, Celine, meet Caroline Cotter.” Ethan stepped to the side and helped what had to be one of the most petite blonde’s she'd ever seen into the limo. “Caroline, Kate is your bodyguard; Celine is your stylist.”
Caroline gave a regal nod. “Thank you, sir, and you, ladies, for all your help. I hope I won't be too much trouble for you.”
Ethan gave a small smile, the corners of his mouth barely turning up. “It’s our pleasure, ma'am. Let us know if you need anything at all. I'll be in the vehicle behind you, and we have another vehicle in front.” Ethan gently closed the door and in the silence that followed, crickets could be heard from miles away.
