Dalton popped his head in. “I don’t skulk. And I’m waiting for Nick and Sloan. They should be here any minute.”
“Sure.” Buck handed Tierney a towel. “I swear you’re ten shades of blue. Go ahead. And take your time.”
Tierney accepted the towel, inhaling when Buck’s hand curled over hers, all the heat from earlier burning to life. She stared up at him, taking in the strong line of his jaw, how his blue eyes looked a few shades darker, more like navy than their usual neon. His brown hair sat in a spiked mess, the smears of dirt and grime on his cheek testaments to his actions — how he’d continually put her safety ahead of his.
Buck grinned, and her heart fluttered, picking up a shaky rhythm that barely kept her lungs working. The room faded, quickly dissolving into her and him, and all the ways she wanted him to touch her. He leaned closer, and she swore he was going to kiss her, right there, in Bodie’s guest suite, mud and forest likely plastered in her hair, notes of sea-salt and pine coated on her skin.
Until Dalton cleared his throat, had her jumping in response. She snapped her gaze to the door, cursing when she realized Buck hadn’t closed it, yet.
Dalton cringed, hints of red creeping into his cheeks as he sighed. “Sorry, I wanted to let you know that Nick and Sloane just went upstairs. Sloane said she’ll get started on that body cam, but she likely won’t get too much off it until she breaks the encryption.”
Buck nodded. “Thanks. We’ll be up in a few.”
Dalton chuckled. “Right. Just, keep the door closed, or Nick’ll be barging in, demanding a personal debrief. You know that guy doesn’t have boundaries.”
Buck waited until Dalton shut the door behind him before turning, looking at her as if he wanted to crush her against the wall, pick up where they’d left off. She shifted her weight, torn between needing to wash off the night’s stench, and wanting to make a move.
A pause, then Buck closing the scant distance, twisting them slightly so her back caught the edge of the doorframe, gave her an out into the bathroom if she needed it, as he pressed her into the wall, his massive form blocking out the rest of the room. He lifted his left hand, smoothing it along her cheek as he gathered her hair in his fingers, his mouth crushing down hard on hers.
She moaned, fisting his hoodie, drawing him tight against her as she opened her mouth, tangled her tongue with his. All the noise settled, faded beneath the heat of his touch, how he kept her pinned to the wall without making her feel trapped.
Time drifted in the background, Buck giving her fleeting opportunities to grab some air before ravaging her mouth again. By the time he actually pulled back, her heart thrashed against her ribs, every sense dialed up to eleven.
His thumb found her jaw, brushing across her lips as he stared down at her, looking stupidly handsome with his hair tousled and his eyes gleaming in the overhead light.
He sighed, his injured arm wrapped loosely around her back. “For a while there, I’d been worried I seriously bumped my head — imagined that kiss in front of the fire.”
She braced some of her weight against the wall, his gravelly voice washing over her. “You practically cracked it open.” She reached up, pushed some of his hair back from his forehead. “And what would you have done if you had imagined it?”
“I’d probably be picking my ass up off the ground.” He pressed a hint of a kiss on her lips. “God, you’re beautiful.”
She smiled, focused on this moment, instead of the voices that never stopped shouting in her head. “Kiss me, again.”
His smile flourished, crinkling lines around his eyes as he leaned in, pressed his mouth to hers.
“Landry!”
Tierney jumped as Nick’s voice boomed through the door, the handle rattling when he pounded twice on the other side. Buck growled under his breath, glancing at the door over his shoulder.
Nick cracked it without actually swinging it open or stepping inside. Just enough his voice carried without him shouting this time. “I need a debrief before you and Tierney fall into a coma from the adrenaline dump.”
Tierney scoffed. “And to think I had a dozen good opportunities to shoot him in the ass when I was with MI6 and Interpol and never seized them.”
“I heard that.” Nick inched inside, gaze taking in their position without reacting. “And you used to think I was charming.”
Tierney sighed as Buck eased back, moved to her side. “We all have our shortcomings, Nick.”
He laughed. “You two can make out later. You’re shivering, and I’ve got that carbine broken down. No serials, but it has a custom scope and special-order supersonic rounds. It’s got PMC written all over it. I’d like some intel so I can start a deep dive while Sloane’s engrossed in that body cam.”
Buck shook his head. “Has anyone ever told you, your timing sucks?”
Nick merely smiled. “Every day, brother.”
“I’ll be right there.”
Nick crossed his arms. “I’ll walk with you, otherwise, I’ll be waiting another twenty minutes for you two to actually shift gears.”
Tierney pulled the towel tight to her chest, shivers racking her body. “I won’t be long.”
