Page 69 of Dangerous Devotion

For some stupid reason, he hoped that she remembered him when she took these items home, and that she remembered their time together with fondness.

She went on tiptoe and pressed a genuine kiss to his cheek. “Thank you.”

With the bag in hand, he led her back outside. The sun had risen into the sky, bouncing its rays off May’s glossy black hair. While she admired her pin, he took out his phone and made a quick check on the bomb’s location.

He’d been checking on it several times a day, but it never moved.

“Is it still in the hangar?”

He swung his head to May. Those dark eyes didn’t miss anything, did they?

Maybe she didn’t miss how his feelings for her were growing either.

“No movement.” He slipped the phone back into his pocket.

When she exhaled, he heard the businesslike undercurrent of that breath. “What’s next?”

He took her hand. “Next we hit up that candy factory before you start overanalyzing again.”

She opened her mouth, but he cut off her protest.

“I hear they have homemade fudge.”

“That sounds like a bribe.”

He smiled down at her. “I prefer to call it strategy.”

* * * * *

AJ pointed out a small storefront on the corner of the block. “Are you up for lunch after all that candy?”

May threw him a look. “After all that sugar, I could use a salad.”

“You sure about that? It says it’s an Irish pub.”

She dipped her head in a nod. “I’m sure.”

They headed to the pub. The bright green door looked festive, beckoning them in off the street. Inside, the pub buzzed with energy.

“Looks like we hit the lunch crowd.” AJ gestured toward a table for two, and she set off across the wood floor to take a seat. When she pulled out the chair, he stopped her.

“You take the other chair.”

She took in his expression and realized that this was a tactical move.

He wanted his back to the wall. The arrangement also afforded him a clear view of the entrance and who was coming and going.

A shiver of appreciation inched its way through May as she settled across from her lover.

He rested his thick forearms on the table. “Sorry about that. I’m picky about where I sit.” He pitched his voice low.

“You’re a SEAL. I’d expect nothing else.”

A server approached with a big smile to take their drink orders. Though the rich scent of beer seemed to be soaked into the wood of the pub itself, they both passed on alcohol and chose sodas instead.

After they received their drinks, and ordered off the lunch menu—a burger and fries for AJ and a salad for her—she studied her partner. The way he wrapped his hand around his glass and brought it to his lips…the way he skimmed his fingers through the condensation on the glass when he set it down…it reminded her far too much of their lovemaking the night before.

She had to redirect her thoughts. Looking around, she took in the pub atmosphere. This place wasn’t quite Ireland, but it was close enough to spawn memories in May.

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