Page 108 of Iron Willed Warrior

Somehow, I gathered up my scattered thoughts. Pushed up onto my elbows to look down at her.

“What is it?” she asked. “Why aren’t you kissing me?”

“The mission is pretty much over now. Stanford and Trace took it out of our hands. I want to know what you’re doing next. Going back to the FBI?”

She frowned. “I thought about it. Would you blame me if I did?”

I lay on my side next to her. Rested a hand on her waist and waited for her to turn to face me. “My hang-up about the FBI was overblown. Idotrust you now, completely, because I’ve seen the kind of woman you are. The kind of warrior you are.”

“Thank you. I trust you too. I said that before, and I meant it.”

“But you didn’t really. That’s the reason you didn’t tell me about your reports to Stanford.”

She looked guilty, and I stroked a finger beneath her chin, lifting it.

“I’m not mad,” I said. “I get that trust isn’t easy for you. But here’s what I’m asking. Do you think, eventually, you could trust me with your heart?”

Brynn’s eyes went glassy. She blinked fast.

“I know you’re scared. Some asshole didn’t love you theway you deserve. And yet you’ve proven again and again how brave you are, no matter how scary shit gets. Give me a chance to take care of you, B. For real. Come to Mexico with me. Hang out. Give me some time so we can see where this goes.”

Indecision played across her face. “That sounds amazing, just like it did when you brought it up at the resort. But I thought you meant a vacation.”

“It can start as a vacation. I’m hoping it’ll turn into more.”

“You’re serious? What you’re talking about… We barely know each other beyond this mission.”

“Exactly. We’ve seen each other’s best, and some of our worst. Let’s fill in the rest of the story.”

“You make it sound so simple.”

“Why can’t it be?” We were both lonely. Both broken-hearted, in our own unique ways. But we’d found each other.

I didn’t believe in happy endings. Good deeds rarely ended well, and trust ended up in betrayal. Except…my gut told me that Brynn and me could be different.

“How is it possible that you’re this perfect?” she asked.

“I’m not even close to perfect. I don’t have a single edge that isn’t rough. But maybe I could be a perfect fit for you.” I leaned forward for a slow kiss.

We made love just as soft and slow as those whispers we’d shared. Lying on our sides and facing one another, I draped her upper leg high across my hip and worked my way in. Small, rocking movements. Sweet, deep kisses. My fingers tangling in her damp hair. My cock slid in and out of her snug body. The pleasure combined with the exhaustion in my brain made me feel drunk.

I grunted against her lips. “I can’t believe how good you feel around me.”

“Perfect fit,” she murmured. Pupils dilated, a blissed expression on her gorgeous features.

We found our release together. Mouths sealed in a kiss, arms around each other. Never letting go even as we both drifted into the oblivion of sleep.

All I wanted was a chance. I just hoped I’d convinced her to give it to me.

I woke a few hours later, my stomach grumbling. Brynn was passed out cold. I scooted out of the bed, careful to tuck the blankets around her. Then put on my prosthesis, got dressed, and went out to the kitchen to search for food.

Unfortunately, I found Special Agent in Charge Stanford setting down a collection of plastic grocery bags on the counter. Like he had just gotten back.

He nodded at me. “Mr. Bailey.”

“Agent Stanford.” My voice was rough from sleep, but that wasn’t really the reason that his name had come out coated in bitterness.

“Trace is still with our guest. I expect he will be for a while. I thought I should swing by a Walmart, stock up on food and some clothes for you and Brynn. Since you didn’t appear to have any luggage.”

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