Page 53 of Wicked Intention

“I know.”

“And even if you didn’t realize it, you’ve already gotten an earful, am I right?” This time the Big Dog had amusement in his voice.

“From at least half the team,” Finn confirmed, some of his tension draining away.

“And the other half hasn’t had an opportunity to corner you yet. She’s affected your decision-making since you met her, and now you’re going to allow lust to drive you across the country?”

Finn stiffened again. Zo wasn’t some piece of ass. “If it was only lust, I could slake that anywhere. I’ve been avoiding some woman named Gabrielle or Gisele or something like that since the reception began. I don’t want someone who only cares I wear Special Forces insignia.”

“It’s never bothered you in the past.”

He couldn’t deny it, but now he wanted more than some woman who didn’t give a shit about him. “Things are different.”

“You think your California girl is interested in you?”

He nodded. Zo had been attracted tohim.She’d been intrigued byhim.She hadn’t known he was Special Forces, but she’d been as drawn to him as he’d been to her. “Her name is Zofia, but she goes by Zo. She despises mercenaries, and shemight not give me a chance to explain anything when I find her.”

“But that isn’t going to stop you.” The captain shook his head. “Even if she was drawn to you in South America, she might feel differently in the States.”

“I know.”

“Youmight feel differently when you see her again.”

“Maybe,” Finn allowed, but he knew better. Even now, he could remember the warmth of Zo’s body pressed against him, the sweetness and heat in her kisses. He wanted more of her, and not only because she aroused him faster than any other woman he’d ever met. Zo also soothed him. Her presence was like a balm for his soul, and he needed that.

The Big Dog laughed quietly. “I can see that your mind is made up. Well, at least I can tell Griff I tried.”

Finn scowled before he could stop it. “When did he put you up to this?”

“We talked around half an hour ago.”

“After he sicced Gisele on me. After I found him talking to Ski and told him to give it a rest.”

BD shrugged. “Griff might come across as an asshole, but you know his attitude hides the fact that he’s a mother hen. You and Ski are his remaining musketeers, and now Pienkowski has Langley to watch over him.”

“Yeah.” Finn debated saying more, then decided what the fuck. If the captain hadn’t reamed him out earlier, this wasn’t going to push him over the edge. “And ifyouknow Griff well enough to see the core of his personality, why did you let him go on this last op? You were aware of what happened in Tahoe, and that Mako was his closest friend.”

“Sergeant Rowland, personnel decisions are none of your concern. Understood?”

“Yes, sir,” he gritted out. This time Finn kept his mouth shut.

While he was working through the truth of the captain’sstatement, he caught sight of Gabrielle/Gisele and stepped back farther into the shadows. Finn was sure she’d set her sights on someone else, but he wasn’t taking any chances. The woman was beautiful, but she wasn’t Zo. Then he spotted Lurch trailing behind her. “Looks like I’m off the hook.”

“And Lurch gets a night to forget being dumped.” The Big Dog shot him a sideways look. “If you passed on someone who looks like her, maybe you do need to go to LA.”

The captain didn’t get it, but as far as Finn was concerned, sleeping with another woman would be cheating on Zo. No, they didn’t have a relationship, and he’d only kissed her a few times because he didn’t count those quick, public brushes of their lips as more than a hello. It didn’t matter. It flat out felt wrong.

“Captain Nguyen, my personal relationships are none of your concern.” He’d deliberately echoed the Big Dog’s earlier chastisement of him, and the man didn’t miss it.

“Now that we’re back home, agreed. Puerto Jardin was another story.”

“I’d do it again,” Finn said before he could censor himself. He’d shot his mouth off more tonight than he had in his entire military career.

“Even knowing what happened next?”

Finn shrugged a shoulder. “She’s safe, that’s what matters the most, but I could have done without my six-week enforced time out.”

“There was no freeing you. We bribed to get you the cleanest accommodations available and paid to keep you safe. It was the best I could do until the government’s dog-and-pony show was put to bed.”

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