Page 62 of Gwen's Delta
“I’m not in the mood to take all of their money. But you go ahead.” He squeezed her hand.
Two hours later, Merlin was happy he’d sat out of the game. Not only did Gwen know how to play poker, she’d won almost every hand. Zip looked shell shocked. Merlin barely restrained his laughter.
“Remind me never to ask you to play poker again,” Zip grumbled to Gwen as he totaled his losses. “You should have warned us you were a shark.”
“I’m not. I haven’t played since college. But I’m great at reading people, and I figured out your tells by the end of the second hand. And y’all assumed that because I’m a woman, I wouldn’t know how to play well,” she said with a laugh.
They’d kept the betting low, but Gwen had still won over a hundred dollars. Merlin figured they were happy they’d decided not to play with their usual rules.
Gwen was smart—he already knew that—but now that he knew how well she could read people, he hoped it would help when she had to deal with the kidnappers.
“Nice job,” Merlin said when she sat down next to him.
“I’d forgotten how much I enjoy poker.”
“You really haven’t played since college?”
“Nope. I haven’t even thought about it. All my friends moved away. And can you imagine me playing with Grams and Gramps?”
“They might surprise you. We have a poker night once a week when we’re not on missions. You’re welcome to play anytime.”
“I’m not so sure they’d be so happy about that.” Gwen tipped her head to indicate the guys.
“Ehh, losing is good for the soul as long as it’s just poker.”
Gwen giggled, then yawned.
“Why don’t you lie down and get some rest. There’s at least ten hours to go. I’ll make sure you’re awake before we land.”
“I don’t know…”
Merlin put his computer on the table next to him and lifted the armrest between them. “You need your strength, princess. I don’t know what we’re walking into, the best prep is being rested and ready.” He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her closer.
“How do you do this all the time? Living on the edge, never knowing what’s coming next?”
Merlin shrugged. “I joined the Army to make a difference, to make sure the world was a safer place. The rest is just part of the job. Some missions are worse than others, but as long as we accomplish what we set out to do, it’s all worth it.”
“You are all pretty damn amazing. Risking your life. I know you’re not regular Army. I know you can’t tell me. But the more I learn about what you do, and the danger involved, I can’t imagine how hard it must be for your families. I don’t know how Destiny doesn’t freak out when Zip leaves.”
Merlin had half expected this, but not yet. Maybe after the mission. Would his job be too much for her to handle? Gwen was a gentle soul—hell, she still believed in fairy tales. He didn’t even want to think about all the hate and blackness she was about to experience. It would change her in ways she did not understand yet.
“I’m sure it’s difficult for her and Woof’s girlfriend, Nori. She works for the State Department and lives in DC. Did Destiny say anything about it today?”
“No, not really. Just told me that if I wasn’t serious about you, I need to tell you.”
“She did?” That was a surprise, but it shouldn’t have been. In all the years they’d been together, he’d never fallen for anyone, not like he had for Gwen. Zip would have told Destiny that.
“Yeah.”
Merlin paused a beat, hoping she would say more, say that she was still serious about him. When she didn’t, he hugged her close. “It’s okay. We don’t have to deal with any of this. It can wait until after we get you and your parents back home.”
Gwen wrapped her arms around her waist. Like she was afraid to reach out and touch him. “No. You…this…whatever is between us is important. I’ve never felt this way about anyone else. Life isn’t easy. If it were, I wouldn’t be on this plane. I’m not saying I’m in love with you, but I can’t imagine you not in my life.”
Her words healed a hole in his heart he didn’t know existed. Pulling her onto his lap, he kissed her, keeping it gentle, though he wanted to kiss her until her cheeks flushed, and she could no longer worry. But it wasn’t the time or the place.
“That’s good, because I don’t plan on letting you go,” he whispered as he leaned his forehead against hers. “I think you need to rest. If you stay here, I won’t be able to restrain myself.”
Her grin was like sunshine, and she squirmed on his lap, making him groan. “That’s just cruel.”
