Page 54 of Her Delta Force Protector

“I’ve got you.” Kade wrapped his arms around her to take the wheel and keep her from face-planting on deck. He righted the boat.

“That was way too close for comfort.” Her heart was hammering in her chest.

“Fools. They’re going to get themselves killed.”

As reckless as they were on those Jet Skis, it could happen. She was grateful she hadn’t run over them. Kade’s arms were still around her, and when he rested his chin on the top of her head, she leaned back against his chest. She expected him to move away, but surprising her, he moved his mouth to her ear.

“You smell so damn good, H, like the beach on a summer day. A beautiful girl in a bikini, her skin glistening in the sunshine from her coconut suntan lotion, is the picture you put in my mind. I’m trying really hard to do the right thing, but you’re making that difficult.”

She turned to face him, and because he still had his arms around her and his hands on the wheel, they were breast to chest. The leather jacket was in the way of getting closer to him, and she wanted to tear it off. “The right thing for who?”

“You.” He throttled down the boat to let it idle. Even though they were now drifting, he kept his hands on the wheel, which kept his arms around her.

“I think I get to say what’s right for me.” His eyes were locked on hers, and she wondered if he could see how much she wanted him. “Kiss me, Kade.”

He made a strangled sound as he glanced off to the side. “We should talk first.”

“Talking’s overrated.” What was there to talk about? She was good with his rules, had told him so.

Duke whined, and Kade chuckled as he shifted his gaze to Duke. “Your dog is half fish.”

“What’s his problem?” Hers was that he wasn’t kissing her.

“He wants in the water.” Kade let go of the wheel with one hand and waved it at Duke. “Go.”

Duke let out an excited yelp as he jumped into the lake. They both watched him for a minute, then she decided to take the decision out of Kade’s hands. If he’d told her he wasn’t interested, she wouldn’t do what she was about to, but he’d admitted he was, so...she kissed him.

He stilled, his lips not moving against hers, and she panicked. She’d read him all wrong, and now she was assaulting him. Embarrassed, she tore her mouth away. He slipped his hand around the back of her neck and brought her mouth back to his.

“I surrender,” he murmured against her lips.

She slid her eyes closed on a soft sigh, and all there was in the world was the two of them. He kept the hand behind her neck in place and put his other one on her lower back, pulling her tight against him. She pressed her palm to his chest, and even through his sweatshirt, she could feel the rapid beat of his heart. She was lost in him and his kisses.

His mouth left hers, and she whimpered a protest, but then his mouth traveled down her neck, and when he gently nipped at her skin just above the collar of her jacket, she forgot her complaint. Amazing how kissing him made the world rock. But no, it was the wake from another boat rocking them, and he held her tight, keeping her on her feet.

He lifted his head and pressed his forehead to hers. “How about we head back to the cabin to continue this?”

She nodded in agreement because speech was beyond her ability. If his kisses did this to her, he was going to wreck her when they made it to his bed. But she would be a happy wreck.

“I need you to let go of me for a minute so I can get Duke in the boat.”

She hadn’t realized she had the hem of his sweatshirt fisted in her hands, and she reluctantly let go.

It took him a few minutes to get Duke in, and then he returned and sat at the wheel. He patted the seat. “Next to me, snookums.”

“Snookums? Really?”

“Sugar pea? You like that one better?” He shot her a grin as he throttled up the boat. “I’ve never called a girl a pet name before, so I’m testing some out. What do you think of cutie patootie?”

“If you call me that, I’ll punch you where it hurts the most.” She’d never admit how much she loved hearing there’d never been someone he liked enough to give a pet name.

“Ouch.” He covered the zipper of his jeans with his hand. “Okay, cutie patootie’s definitely out. Candy pants, toots, cuddly-wuddly, butter biscuit...any of those catch your fancy?”

“Call me any of those, and I’ll call you hottie pants.”

He laughed. “You think I’m hot?”

Well, duh.“I think you’re silly.” She’d always loved this playful side of him. Kade Church was a complicated mix of funny, deadly serious, charming, intense, insecure, and sometimes...lost boy. Everyone who knew him thought he was an extrovert. He really wasn’t. That was a front he’d perfected to hide his vulnerabilities.

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