Page 41 of The Pilot & the Athlete

“Yes.”

She didn’t blame him. She doubted Darian would make this easy.

“You’re cappin’,” she said.

“Lying?” he interpreted, arching an eyebrow.

“Yes. You took out four nasty evil dudes to rescue me. Air Force Reconnaissance Lieutenant Paul Braven laughs in the face of danger.”

He smiled at her. “Thanks, Shay.” He looked at the house then back at her. “Four armed thugs seem easier to face than Darian.”

“Come on. I’ll hold your hand, and I’ve got your back.”

“You’re protecting me this time?” Paul’s deep-brown gaze was warm and full of her.

“You got it, bruh.”

He chuckled. “I don’t want to be your bruh, Shay.”

“Oh? What would you like to be? My pilot?”

“How about your boyfriend?” He leaned across the console, and she met him halfway. He gave her a soft, tender kiss.

“We could talk about boyfriend status,” she managed shakily.

“How about your love?” he asked, increasing the pressure of his kiss until she was seeing stars—or maybe it was twinkling lights at an outdoor wedding she was seeing.

“That’s fire,” she murmured dreamily when he released her from the kiss.

“How about your future?” Cupping her cheek, he tilted her head and kissed her deeply.

Shay’s door flung open, and she jerked back.

“What are you doing withhim?” Darian demanded, standing outside in the evening shadows, glaring past Shay at Paul.

Her brother looked professional as always in slacks and a button-down shirt. He’d taken off his tie and undone his top button. She always thought he was handsome with his blond hair and teal-blue eyes and tall frame but right now his brow was furrowed and his mouth pinched.

“Kissing,” Shay said. “It slaps.”

“How dare you?” Darian growled at Paul.

“Darian, stop.” Shay pushed her brother back and slid out of the SUV to face him.

Paul’s door popped open, and he raced around. He reached Shay and wrapped his arm around her. She leaned into him and gave him what she hoped was a reassuring nod. They’d face Darian together. Turning to her brother, she recoiled. She hadn’t seen such raw fury in his face since the day Carrie had kissed Paul in the park.

A young couple with a baby in the stroller and a toddler on a trike approached.

“Hi, Darian,” the woman called out.

Darian glanced at them and softened his stance. “Mary, Joe.” He nodded to the adults then waved at the kids. “Trey, you’re fast!”

“I know!” The little man beamed at him. “Watch me!”

They all stepped back into the grass as Trey pedaled hard and his trike picked up some speed. His parents hurried after him.

“Nice job, buddy,” Darian called after them.

“Bye!” The little guy waved and almost tipped over. His dad caught the trike and steadied it.

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