Page 26 of Protection for Rowan

His chest vibrated with laughter. “I’ll have to buy some and store them at your place.”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“I may have to leave town next week.”

The news was shocking, but this was what she’d signed up for. “Oh.”

“We get called out. It’s how the military works.”

She rolled over and cupped his cheek. “I’m okay with that. I’m not upset that you’ll have to leave at all. I was just adjusting my thoughts.”

His eyebrows shot up. “And what were those thoughts?”

She ran her hand down his torso to his hip and squeezed. “Thoughts about us needing more condoms.”

“I like those thoughts.”

“I like that you like them.”

“I think we should test it out later.”

“Yes. But I need to recover. You wore me out.”

He kissed her softly and then sighed. "Rest. We can pick this up later."

She rolled over and settled against him. She liked the feel of his arms around her. It was comforting to know he was here. But he would be leaving. That didn’t really bug her. She would miss him, but it was his job, and she would support him.

Chapter 18

Shine drove away from home,wishing Rowan had stayed at his place. He wouldn't be there, but her taking off and going home had hit him weirdly. They'd connected so well over the last twenty-four hours, and he'd developed even more feelings for her. They were good together, and he hoped they had many more weekends wrapped in each other’s arms so they could strengthen their bond.

Once on base, they gathered in one of their situation rooms. He listened to the lieutenant give the briefing, telling them what had been going on and why they were headed to Africa. It wasn’t an issue they’d been tracking before, and other SEAL teams that could get there quicker were engaged in other locations. They were loading up now because a few things they’d been watching had popped off.

They were headed over to retrieve a target. However, if the situation got worse, they would have to up the stakes of their operation.

He had his go bag and his equipment ready in about twenty minutes. Before he loaded onto the plane, he sent atext to Rowan telling her he would be out of the country for a couple of weeks at the least. Her reply, telling him to be careful and that she would be waiting for him to return, made his heart squeeze.

“Is that from Rowan?” Griz asked as he stored his equipment.

Shine nodded. “It is.”

Griz paused, his eyes narrowing. “You like her.”

He couldn't deny it, so he didn't even try. "I have very strong feelings for her."

“Good. I like her. She seems to have a good head on her shoulders.”

“We’re loaded,” Sharp called out as he entered the plane behind the other men in their team.

They were headed over with a support crew of fifteen men and women who were already strapped in and ready to go. Shine took his seat and glanced around, wondering about the man they were being sent to retrieve. Who was he? The guy either had awesome intelligence, or he was a threat they couldn't afford to allow to swing in the wind.

He slept well on the flight over, waking about an hour before they landed. They went over everything that had come in since they’d left California. They were still going in to retrieve the target, not eliminate him. Retrieving was more dangerous but also more challenging. He was ready for whatever they encountered.

Chapter 19

Rowan missed Shine.She had grown used to spending time with him. It was funny how a month ago, she would have been perfectly happy to sit at home and have the TV keep her company on nights she didn't have book club, but now she wanted to chat with Shine.

She wouldn’t make him feel guilty by texting him how much she missed him. She could keep that to herself because the last thing she wanted was for him to feel bad.

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