Page 40 of Under Fire

She grinned. “A moonlit walk beside the river is definitely romantic.”

“You forgot one thing.”

Her brows knitted. “What?”

“A moonlit walk beside the river with a beautiful woman.”

A warm glow suffused her. “You’re quite the charmer, Mr. Rainer.”

Matt’s smile faded. “Only with you, Delilah. There is no one else for me.”

She searched his eyes, stunned to realize he meant what he said. Did that mean what she thought? She needed to get a grip on her emotions. It was too soon for him to declare that he loved her. Wasn’t it? She must have misunderstood what he was saying.

Delilah leaned up and kissed him. “Good night, Matt. Try to rest.” She slipped into the bedroom and closed the door, her heart racing. Good grief. Matt Rainer was a dream come true. His touch and kiss were dynamite to her system.

She readied herself for bed, climbed under the covers, and prayed for sleep to take her fast. Delilah woke three hours later. The first thought to hit her was the death of her mother. The pain of loss stabbed her heart and Delilah knew she wouldn’t be able to sleep more.

Glancing at the clock, she wondered if Matt was still on watch or if Cade had taken over. She longed to go to Matt but was loathe to interrupt his sleep. He hadn’t rested much since she had been injured.

She debated with herself, then huffed in aggravation. Might as well make herself some tea. Maybe she’d be able to nap once she finished the drink.

Delilah opened her door and walked into the living room. The lights were dim and a man stood at the French doors, staring outside. Matt? No, the shoulders were wrong. Cade.

The operative turned. “You okay?” Cade murmured.

Delilah shook her head.

“Come here, Delilah.” Matt sat up on the couch and placed his feet on the floor. He patted the cushion beside him.

“I don’t want to disturb you.”

“You aren’t.” He held out his hand. “Let’s find a movie.”

“You need to sleep. Please, Matt.”

“You watch the movie. I’ll hold you and nap. Deal?”

Cade chuckled. “Might as well give in. He’s relentless when he wants something.” He grinned. “Or someone.”

Cheeks burning at Cade’s gentle teasing, Delilah realized Matt would sleep sooner if she stopped protesting and curled up beside him. She sat down and found herself tucked against Matt’s side, a blanket spread across her legs.

He grabbed the remote. When he found a Perry Mason film she liked, he propped his feet on the coffee table and settled deeper into the cushion, urging Delilah to lay her head against his chest. “This okay?”

She nodded.

“Relax and let me enjoy holding you.”

“Go to sleep, Matt.”

“Yes, ma’am.” After kissing her temple, Matt rested his head against the couch and closed his eyes.

For a while, Delilah let the movie take her mind off her loss. Eventually, the blanket and Matt’s body heat worked to make her drowsy. She doubted she’d sleep, but it wouldn’t hurt to close her eyes.

Sometime later, Delilah woke to sunlight streaming into the living room of the posh suite. The Perry Mason movie had morphed into the morning news and the scent of coffee filled the air.

Still deliciously warm, she hated to move. Matt couldn’t be comfortable, though. Delilah tilted her head to look at the warrior holding her tight against his side.

He glanced down when she moved. “Good morning, beautiful. Sleep well?”

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