Page 86 of Hidden Attraction

He rubbed his fingers over hers again. He ached to tell her that he would be here, right beside her every step of the way, but he’d already failed her in that way.

She drew up straighter. “Once this is all over…”

He looked at her. Really looked. Two weeks had passed since they’d pulled her out of that warehouse, and yet it still didn’t feel like they were safe. Cypher was still out there. Denver was recovering from what Chase suspected wasanotherhead injury.

And him? He was still caught somewhere between wanting to hold Alyssa every night and knowing he might lose her to a life that never made room for men like him.

The silence stretched on, the words unspoken. He braced himself for her to walk away from all the things they’d said to each other, all the moments they’d shared.

“I’m going to work for the United Nations.”

His heart leaped. “That would be a short commute…”

“Mm-hm.” Her stare fixed on his mouth.

Before he knew it, he was leaning in and she was slipping into his lap, arms anchored around his neck. Their lips collided with all the passion they both bottled up these past weeks away from each other.

When he tore away, he dropped his forehead to hers, breathing hard. “What made you step down? I’d never ask you—”

“I know,” she broke in. “After what happened, I think changes need to be made in my life. Having a prestigious job and a direct line to the president’s ear isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. I can still do a lot of good without jetting into dangerous situations.”

He drew her closer so there wasn’t even a small gap of air between them. “I hate the thought of you making changes out of fear. You hiding, looking over your shoulder. I refuse to let that happen, Alyssa. We should be somewhere having coffee and arguing over what movie to watch.”

She laughed. “Don’t forget scooter rides.”

“Never.” He grinned. When their lips met again, it was soft, seeking, filled with emotion.

When they broke apart, he tucked her against him, resting his chin on her head and breathing in the sweet scent of her.

“Are you going to tell me who shot you?”

He almost choked at her question. “Can’t. Confidential.”

“Ah.”

“The important thing is we all made it back in one piece.”

She pulled away, expression tender. “I know how haunted you are by what happened to Echo. Especially after all the things we uncovered in Syria.”

“We don’t know the half of it yet. But you have your own ghosts, Alyssa.”

She searched his eyes. “What do you mean?”

“For one, Kennedy.”

Her eyes went wide. “What happened to her?”

“She’s being held in a safe place while we investigate further. I wanted to let you know that she’s okay. I know you care.”

She nodded. “I do.”

“One more thing. The journalist you freed—you never found her after. You need that closure too.”

“Yes.”

From the patio area came a round of laughter from the guys. Alyssa shifted on Chase’s lap. “They seem to be in high spirits.”

“You know it. After an op, we have a little fun. Let loose.”

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