Page 180 of Covert Mission

We wait for cars to pass, and I lead her across the pock-marked road, and hang a left on the next street. Ahead a cluster of palm trees mark the spot—a place I found while I was taking care of things while Camile was in the meeting.

The sway of long palm fronds beckons us into their shade.

Her fingers squeeze my arm as she exhales with pleasure. “Oh my god, it’s incredible. This view… you can see forever.”

Satisfaction courses through me. I knew she’d love the view. Far off into the distance, light glistens on the inky blue water of the Pacific. Between Carollia and the shoreline is a velvet carpet of undulating forest that stretches on for miles and miles.

I take her to the overlook where a railing and bench have been placed. “When I stumbled on this, I knew we needed to come back. I had to share it with you.”

There’s a new softness to her eyes when she looks up at me again. I want to see it a million times over. Swear I’ll spend the rest of my life doing whatever I need to do to make that happen.

The tone in her voice is fresh. Light and happy. “I love it. Vandemora is so beautiful. Now that I’m not in the throes of crisis, I’m really loving it here. And the people are so nice. The sheriff was eager to help.”

I drag my eyes away and look at the ocean. An unsteady feeling hits my knees. Fuck.Keep it together, man.

“Sometimes the officials push back. It’s why we often have to operate in the shadows.”

She nods thoughtfully. “He doesn’t want any bad press about Vandemora.”

I glance her way and mutter, “Smart man.” But the last thing on my mind is the sheriff. Although I do owe him a thank you for keeping Camile busy while I took care of business. He also told me where to find what I needed.

With a tip of her paper cup, Camile sips her juice, catching a drop that tries to escape with her tongue. “It was thoughtful of you to buy this for me.”

That simple little remark causes a fist to clench inside of my chest.

No one has ever taken care of this woman. My new mission in life is to give her everything that makes her feel special and cherished.

My jaw hardens until she lets out a happy sigh that seems to work it’s way inside of me and loosen the death grip inside of me.

“It almost feels like we’re on a little mini date. It’s very romantic here.”

Again a little remark hits me in the gut.

My hand slides into my pocket again, feeling the weight of my purchase alongside the heavy rightness that’s taken up place in my marrow.

All those years…

It just wasn’t the right time. I thoughtitwasn’t for me. I wasn’t for love.Whatever.It didn’t happen.

Now it has and it’s not getting away from me.

When I lift my eyes to her again, Camile’s radiant in the dappled sunlight coming through the trees, clutching the cheesy paper cup, gazing wistfully at the ocean.

My heart nearly thuds out of my chest.

When she sits on the brightly colored bench, I place my own cup on the seat next to her but I don’t join her. I wipe my palms on my cargo pants.Shit.I should have worn a nice shirt…

She pats the bench. “Take a load off, sailor.”

I catch her hand and drop to my knee. There’s a tiny jolt in her fingers when she registered that I’m kneeling in front of her.

Or maybe it’s the seriousness in my expression. This is the most important moment of my life.

A riot of nerves skitter through my gut. Heat builds along my collar. My mouth feels weird.

“Babe.” I sound like I feel.

Her concerned gaze slides between my eyes, scans my face. “Beast, you’re making my heart race.”

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