Page 91 of Secret Mission

“Away from here. Beast will get a team to meet us. They weren't very far out when I called. He’s tracking my movements now through my phone.”

My stomach eases. Not that Truck and Justice can't keep me protected. But safety in numbers. For them too. “It’s so nice to have backup.”

He glances at me, his gaze turning reflective. “Yeah, it is. Now you’ve got us too.”

What a foreign concept.

I've always stood on my own feet. Grew up expecting to have my own back. But now... Is there a future for me with Truck?

There’s a primal part of me that craves safety. Finally, being able to let my guard down. Even just for a few moments. But that’s not now. I’ve got to be a part of getting us out of here safely.

The tension in my shoulders rises up and squeezes my throat. “Shouldn’t Truck be here by now?”

“I’m right here.”

Eeep!

His calloused palm clamps over my mouth when I make a startled screech. “Shhhh, sorry. Didn’t mean to scare you.”

I’m still wheezing and dizzy from the scare when he drops his hold and slides his hand around the back of my neck. “I’m glad to see you.”

God, his touch feels good. That warm strong presence that I crave. Strong and steady.

“You, too.” All that emotion wells up in my eyes. “You scared the life out of me.”

The kiss he presses to my forehead feels possessive. “All good. Just a little smoke and mirrors.”

“And bangs. Not the kind that come with a bad haircut.” A dry, relieved laugh shakes inside my chest. “I’m delirious. Can you tell?”

It’s impossible not to sag into his side as the three of us hustle down the narrow corridor which must now be deep under the Cathedral.

“Is this another one of those never-ending days because I'm so ready for a vacation and a Big Mac.”

Truck and I both laugh.

Inside joke aside, I'm ready for this nightmare to be over. And to see where this might go with us.

The fire burning in my body for his is a loooong way from being doused. If anything, all the adrenaline, all the ways he’s protected me have only made me hungrier for him.

Justice, clearly not getting our private humor, raises a hand. “Ditto, but I could use some of those spicy tamales we got a couple weeks ago. Remember those, T?”

Truck pats his stomach. “Don’t be talking about food right now. I’m ready to devour something.”

His glance says one thing. Me.

A small smile curves his lips, and I clear my throat, quickly looking away.

Oof. All he has to do is look at me, and I’m melted butter.

It’s like all the wind gets sucked out of me and a blast of warm sunshine fills me up inside.

His tone turns husky. “How about you, beautiful?”

Nope. No way.

I’m not getting dragged into this kind of conversation.

I cannot answer. My voice will be smokey. I still don’t have any panties on and just the thought of him touching me with his mouth makes my whole body zing.

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