“I know the guys in charge over there quite well.” Jagger changed positions to face her more directly. “They’re idiots.”
A burst of laughter unexpectedly escaped Natalia’s kissable mouth. “Massive idiots,” she agreed.
His lips curved into a smile. In an unanticipated move, Jagger reached up, gently tucking some hair behind her ear before resting his palm against her cheek. When he spoke again, his deep voice had softened to a heartwarming tone.
“What happened wasn’t your fault, darlin’.” He looked deep into her eyes. “You did what you could with the intel you were provided. I would have done the same thing in your shoes.”
“You don’t know that,” she whispered back.
“Ido.” He scooted himself a bit closer. “You wanna know how I can be so sure?”
Natalia nodded, her heart racing from the warmth of his simple, sweet touch.
“Because I know you.” He leaned in closer, still. “And I know what kind of operative you are in the field. You don’t take chances unless the risk is worth it. And it’s obvious Julian was someone you cared about.”
“He was my best friend.” Her mouth curved into a bittersweet smile. “We were partnered up on day one at Langley. Julian and I…” She paused. “We just sort of clicked from the start, you know?”
“I do.”
“And it was never romantic between us. Neither one of us ever felt that way about the other. And I didn’t choose him for that op because we were friends.”
“I believe you.”
“I chose Julian to be by my side that day because he was a damn good operative,” she continued despite what he’d just said. “And then he ended up dying under my watch.”
“I’m sorry.”
A beat later, she whispered, “I never wanted you to know.”
Those dark brows of his dipped inward. “Why not?”
“I was afraid you’d look at me differently.” Then Natalia admitted, “I really like how you look at me.”
“Ah, darlin’.” Jagger reached up and cupped the other cheek. With his hands framing her face, he held her hostage with his stare. “I look at you this way because I’m in awe of who you are. You’re strong. Smart. Brave?—”
“Come on, Jagger,” she interrupted with a roll of her eyes.
“No, I’m serious,” he countered, gently forcing her to maintain eye contact. “You are an incredible operative, Talia. The CIA was insane to ever let you go. I’m just damn thankful Ryker saw in you what those fools at Langley couldn’t. Otherwise, we probably never would’ve met.”
Natalia pulled in a breath, her lungs filling with air for what felt like the first time in years. Ever since that day in Afghanistan, there’d been an almost suffocating pressure. A weighted burden of guilt and shame she’d been too scared to ever reveal. But now?—
He knows the truth, and yet, he’s not looking at me any differently.
She closed her eyes and let herself lean into Jagger’s touch. Her pulse spiked when she felt him pressing his lips softly against hers. This man knew the truth, and he wasn’t running for the hills.
Deep down, a part of Natalia had always known what happened that day wasn’t her fault. But a person could hear a lie only so many times before it started to feel like the truth.
It wasn’t my fault. I know it. I think I’ve always known it.
And now, Jagger knew it, too. Not only that, but she’d seen the truth staring back at her from his eyes. The man wholeheartedly believed every single word that he’d said.
About the op. The CIA. And most importantly…her.
“Tell me you still want me.” Her mouth brushed against his as she spoke. “Please tell me that hasn’t changed.”
“I want you,” he growled.
The primal sound filled her body with a heady, aching need.
