Page 30 of Strike Fast

He stood there grinning like an idiot, raising his hand to acknowledge his teammates when someone called to him, but he didn’t look away from Tess. Couldn’t.

Come on, sweetheart, look at me.

Moments later she turned her head slightly and their gazes connected. A startled smile broke over her face and she waved once. He waved back and motioned toward the hangar with his eyebrows raised, asking her whether she and her crew were calling it a night after this. She gave a thumbs up in affirmation, one more little grin, and went back to her shutdown procedure.

A minute ago, he’d been tired and looking forward to a hot shower, some chow, and his bunk. Now, he was energized at the thought of spending even a few minutes with Tess. Getting any time with her at all was better than none.

Because the rules were relaxed due to the training atmosphere, both teams’ commanders allowed them all to shower up and grab a bite to eat before the joint post-op meeting that lasted the better part of an hour.

FAST Bravo was bunking at a dorm just off base, a short bus ride away. Reid slung his duffel over one shoulder and rounded the corner of the command building, in the act of fishing out his phone to text Tess and see if they could meet up somewhere. The guys were heading to the bar with the HRT, but Reid wanted no part of it—he just wanted Tess.

His feet stuck to the concrete when he saw Tess waiting for him at the side of the building in jeans and a snug T-shirt that hugged the curve of her round breasts, her honey-blond hair down around her shoulders.

“Hey, stranger,” she said with a smile.

Reid unstuck his feet and rushed straight for her. “Hey.” He dropped his bag onto the sidewalk and grabbed her, wrapping her up in a fierce, tight hug. Her hair smelled like pears. “Damn, I’ve missed you.”

Tess slipped her arms around his back and squeezed him in return, her face nestled into the side of his neck. “Mmm, me too. I’d almost forgotten how good you feel.”

The husky edge to her voice sent a torrent of blood between his legs. “Well I haven’t forgotten how goodyoufeel.” The memory had been torturing him for over a week now.

She gave a soft laugh and pulled her head back to peer up at him. Reid stroked the hair away from her face, getting lost in the pale green of her eyes. “Did you know it was my team you were picking up out there?”

“Yes, but I’m guessing you didn’t see me until we got back here. You looked pretty surprised.”

“Excited is the word you’re looking for,” he corrected her.

“Okay, then. Excited.”

The pride swelling his chest was fierce. “I love it that you were at the controls tonight.”

Her eyes lit up at his praise. “Thanks. How many more days are you here for?”

“Two. You?”

Her smile fell. “I leave tomorrow afternoon.”

“Back to Fort Worth?”

She nodded, searching his eyes. “Any chance you’ll get a few days off after this? Maybe you could come to Texas?”

He groaned. “No. We’re headed straight back to D.C. and then I’ve got Autumn overnight on Saturday.” He was glad he wouldn’t be alone on the anniversary of Jason’s death.

After that, he wasn’t sure what his schedule would be. It changed constantly, depending on what was happening at the agency or whatever target they were sent after.

“Oh. When are you scheduled to have some time off next? Because I’m not off until the end of June.”

He’d failed at making his marriage work because of his job, and he and Sarah had lived in the same damn house. What were he and Tess going to do whenbothof them had demanding schedules they couldn’t change, and they lived in different states? “I’ll see what I can do.” He’d find a way. Call in a favor or pull some strings to get time to visit her. Whatever it took.

A slow, soft smile curved her mouth. “Good. Because as much as I swore to myself that I’d never be with another military man, I’ve missed you like hell this past week.”

“I’ve missed you too.” Way more than he’d expected to. She’d triggered something inside him, revived a part of him that he’d thought was long dead.

Unable to stand the temptation she posed a moment longer, he brushed his thumb across her lower lip, and lowered his mouth to hers. Tess slid one hand to the back of his neck and raised her head to meet him. Her lips were soft and warm beneath his own, and he tasted toothpaste when he slipped his tongue inside her mouth.

Someone cleared their throat behind him.

Reid whipped around, automatically blocking Tess with his body. Maka stood there at the front doors, his huge silhouette all but blocking the light coming from the front of the building. “Problem?” Reid asked, feeling ultra-protective of Tess.

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