Page 10 of Liberating Mia
He accepted the call, and Finn’s unsmiling face popped up on his screen.
“Good morning, sir.”
“Morning. You good?”
“All good, Boss. Your side? How’d it go with Ms. O’Connor last night?”
Rubbing the back of his neck, Larry sighed. “I didn’t tell her.”
“Ah. Right.”
Before he could say more, Larry asked, “How’d it go your side last night?”
“It was a waste of time. Nothing moving or shaking. I’ve some leads I’m going to check out when we’re done here and then I’ll head back to the harbor tonight. Maybe get lucky.” Finn scratched the back of his head. “I’m not holding out much hope, but you never know.”
“Well, here’s hoping. In the meantime, a couple of things. I’ve planted the information – sent a memo out yesterday. So now we wait to see what happens on that front. And then, I gave some thought to your suggestion after we spoke. I’ve got something sketched out. I’ve secured a flight out to South Africa this evening. I’ll mail you the details, but in the meantime, here’s what I have in mind.”
Larry laid out his plan, Finn adding input as he went along. When Larry was happy they had a solid, working plan, he concluded the call. “I’ll see you when I get here, and we can finalize the plans then.”
“On it, Boss. See you soon.” Finn disappeared from view.
Shutting his laptop, he contemplated his coffee cup. He had a lot to do and not a lot of time to get it done before his flight left tonight.
Larry felt hands on his shoulders and tipped his head back to look up into the face of his beautiful Tahlia. He still found it hard to comprehend that after all these years they were finally together. Never in his wildest imagination would he have thought they’d end up this way. The day he’d left Marcus’s employ, he’d believed she was gone from his life for good.
“Good morning, handsome,” Tahlia murmured before placing a soft kiss on his forehead.
“Good morning, gorgeous. Sleep well?”
“I did, thanks. How could I not? You wore me clean out.” Larry pulled a face as she laughed.
“Cheeky.” He twisted his torso so he could pull her into his lap.
He hated leaving her, but duty called. He’d pledge to keep the people of his country safe, and he had every intention of doing so. But God, it was going to be punishment being separated from her. Wrapping her tight in his embrace, he savored the feel of her in his arms.
They sat like that, neither saying a word, for long minutes until, with a sigh, Larry broke the silence. “I need to finish my packing.”
Giving a last squeeze, Tahlia slipped from his lap. “I’ll get some breakfast going while you do that.”
“Thanks, sweetheart. I won’t be long.”
Larry didn’t dawdle packing. If he were being honest, he wished she was going with; He wanted to spend as much time with her before he left as he could, but he didn’t want to ask since he knew she was busy helping her daughter, Maddie, plan her wedding. She’d risked everything to come back for it. He didn’t want to rob her of a moment.
Pulling the zipper of his duffel closed, he mentally went over the list one last time. He grabbed it off the bed, and with one last look at the unmade bed he and Tahlia shared, he strode back to the living room.
“Ah, perfect timing,” he heard from behind him. “I’ve literally just popped breakfast into the oven to keep warm.”
Larry snaked out an arm and pulled Tahlia in close before dropping his lips to hers. The kiss went hot and intense in seconds. He devoured her, stroking her tongue with his. Nibbled at her lips, licking them to soothe where he nipped. When they were forced to come up for air, Larry was rock-hard, aching for her.
“Wow!” Tahlia murmured. Her eyes glazed with a look he’d come to know well. As he reached for her, the doorbell rang.
He swore; Tahlia grimaced. “Who on earth can that be? And I’m not even dressed.”
Larry gave her a tap on the rump. “While you go get dressed, I’ll go see who’s at the door.” He took a moment to enjoy the gentle sway of her hips as Tahlia walked away from him.
The sound of the doorbell chiming again drew his attention back to their unknown visitor. Treading silent, Larry went to answer. Checking the security keyhole, he smiled when he saw Maddie on the other side.
“Hey, Tiger Lily,” he greeted once the door was open. “Come on in.”
