Page 38 of Hot Soldier's Rescue

“Elise?”

Her heart nearly stopped.

“It’s me. Drago.”

Ohmigod. She pushed the panel up and was startled when it didn’t budge. Momentary panic that they were stuck down here flooded her. There was a grunt and then she realized he must be kneeling on the trapdoor. The panel flew up all of a sudden.

She rushed up the steps and into his arms, knocking him over on his back in her exuberance. “Thank God it’s you. My prayers were answered.”

He laughed quietly as she sprawled across his chest. “Hello to you, too.”

Her relief was such that she kissed him soundly without thinking. His mouth was warm and firm beneath hers but went hot and demanding the instant their lips touched.

His arms came up around her while her hands slid up his chest to grip his shoulders. He hugged her so tightly she struggled to breathe. But she didn’t mind. It felt so good to be held by someone that she all but purred aloud. Her mouth opened against his and he reciprocated immediately. Their tongues met and she slanted her mouth across his, engrossed in the dance of lips and teeth and tongues. One of his hands slid up underneath her hair to the back of her head, cupping it so he could explore even more deeply. She gave in eagerly, melting against him as he took charge of the kiss.

She writhed against him, her body on fire. He groaned in the back of his throat and she reveled in the sound. She did that to him? Cool. She kissed him with renewed enthusiasm. She wanted to hear that sound again.

He was the one who finally broke off the kiss, breathing heavily. His heart pounded against her chest, matching her galloping pulse.

“I’m so glad to see you,” she chattered under her breath. “Here I was trying to figure out how we were going to get out of this town without someone turning us in to the army. And then you just showed up. How did you find us, anyway? Is it safe? Can we leave now? Do you have a car?”

“And you accuse me of asking a lot of questions,” he muttered around a grin.

“Well?” she demanded.

“Yes, we’re safe. The army has cleared out for the moment. You don’t want to know how I found you, yes we can leave now, and of course I have wheels. Do you have the children?”

“I do. And Grandma.”

He blinked up at her.

“Speaking of which.” She called out low in Spanish, “He’s a friend. You can come out.”

Grandma poked her head up out of the hidey-hole as Elise hastily rolled off his totally delicious chest. She felt bereft as his arms fell away from her and he sat up. He held a hand forward to help the elderly woman climb out of the cellar. Grandma rolled awkwardly to her hands and knees and asked, “Is it safe?”

Drago nodded. “Here. Let me help you up.” He crawled out from under the table and partially lifted Grandma to her feet while Elise smiled down at the two small, pale faces peering up out of the hole.

“This is my good friend, Drago. He’s come to help us.”

“Is he one of the superheroes?” Emanuel asked, eyeing the humongous gun slung over Drago’s shoulder in awe.

“He sure is,” Elise replied jauntily.

She made the introductions quickly and was startled when, after high-fiving Emanuel, he knelt down on one knee to shake Mia’s hand solemnly. The little girl seemed charmed in spite of herself. Who’d have guessed the big, bad arms dealer would be so good with children? Bemused, she introduced him to Grandma, who eyed him with open appreciation.

His gaze met hers over the older woman’s head, and his eyes glinted with humor.

Elise commented in English, “Like she told me earlier, she’s not dead yet.”

Drago laughed, retorting, “I always say, when I quit looking, bury me because I’m dead.”

“Where’s your car?” Elise asked more seriously.

He flipped into work mode immediately. “Outside. Lemme clear the area and then I’ll wave you out. Have you got any stuff?”

“Just a few emergency supplies Grandma had in a bag.”

“Smart woman.” He nodded and melted out into the night. He did that so easily. Her suspicion that he was much more than a simple arms dealer resurfaced with a vengeance. Of course, the moment she started asking questions about who he really was, he would do the same to her. She was actually grateful for a moment that they still weren’t out of danger. The longer she could avoid the hard questions waiting for her from Drago, the better.

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