Page 93 of Phoenix Rising

Damn, Reese had missed Audria something fierce. It’d only been a week, but it felt like years in his heart. Seeing her dressed in combat gear did something to his blood pressure. She looked like a fiery Valkyrie, ready to decide the fate of warriors in battle and carry the dead to Odin’s Valhalla. It took every ounce of restraint he possessed to keep from closing the gap, scooping her into his arms—well, arm since one was still recovering from two bullet wounds—and kissing the breath from her lungs. He wanted to place her on the floor, follow her down, and make love to her all night long. His damaged shoulder might protest, but he didn’t care.

Instead, he held his ground. She’d left him, not the other way around. As he saw it, she owed him an apology. “Audria,” he greeted lazily.

“What are you doing here?”

“I think I’m eliminating you from the game.” He lifted his gun and sent her vest into a screaming fit of blinking lights. She’d been hit twice before, so this was a kill shot. She didn’t seem to notice.

“Damn it, Audria, now I’m going solo,” Christian groused.

“Shut up,” she barked, kicking out so he toppled over without taking her gaze from Reese. “You should be in bed. Two bullets went through you!”

“I’m a quick healer.”

“Oh, for pity’s sake.” Christian fired at Reese’s vest, setting it off. As soon as it stopped, he did it again. “Now you’re both out. Leave the game to the professionals, please.” He tried to sound badass, but the smile on his face belied his words.

Audria proceeded to the exit and shed her gear. Reese did the same, trying to hide the wince when the stitches pulled. She waited until they were outside before she turned to him. “Why are you here?”

He lifted a shoulder. “Luke and Logan offered me a job . . . contingent on passing the physical tests as soon as my shoulder heals.”

Her mouth dropped open. “You resurrected the FBI. They took to the media, singing your praises. I’m sure they must’ve offered you a huge promotion.”

“They did.”

“You didn’t take it?”

“Evidently not.”

She held out her hands. “Why?”

“It wasn’t what I wanted.”

“Prestige? More money? A corner office? Leading the top crime-fighting organization in the world?”

“Now, see, we disagree there. I happen to think this is the top company to work for.”

Audria rolled her eyes. “I obviously agree. I want to know why you turned down a job you’ve worked hard for your entire life.”

Reese stared at Audria. “Don’t you get it?”

She slowly shook her head.

“I’m here because of you, Audria.”

“Me?”

“Yeah. I might be pissed at you for leaving me in the hospital alone—”

“Genevieve was there.”

He gazed at her with pity. “Really? That’s the hill you want to die on?”

“She was your wife.”

“Was.Past tense. I loved her once, but I’m in love with you.” Well, so much for making her apologize first. After seeing her, all he wanted to do was hold her, and he figured this was the quickest way to obtain that objective.

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Audria stumbled back a step, and her breath seized in her lungs. “You are?” Her heart felt so full she was afraid it would burst in her chest. Her pulse ticked in the danger zone.

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