Page 29 of My Special Ops Neighbor
"See something you like?" he asked, setting down his tools.
"Maybe." She was wearing nothing but his Marine Corps t-shirt, and she didn't miss the way his eyes darkened as he took in the sight. "But it's Saturday morning, and you promised me a day off from Fisher-Benoit Investigations."
Vincent moved toward her with that predatory grace she found irresistible, pulling her into his arms the moment he reached her. "You're right. No more security adjustments, no financial forensics, no criminal conspiracies."
Yvette felt herself melt against him as he nuzzled her neck, breathing in the scent of his soap mixed with the morning air. "What did you have in mind for our day off?"
"Well, I was thinking we could start with breakfast that doesn't come from a tactical MRE, then maybe visit that art gallery opening I mentioned, and tonight..." She trailed off, pressing closer and enjoying the way his arms tightened around her. "Tonight I have plans for you that definitely don't involve computers or weapons."
"I like your plans." His voice had gone raspy in that way that never failed to make her wet. Then he kissed her softly, and she was reminded all over again why she'd fallen so hard for this man.
"Though I should mention that Agent Bates called while you were in the shower," he said when they broke apart. "Some federal judge is getting death threats, and they need protection for his daughter."
"And?" Yvette could already tell from his expression that he'd handled it.
"And I told her we're booked solid for the next six months." The grin spreading across his face was completely unrepentant, and she had to laugh. "I may have also mentioned that we charge double for witness protection cases because they're boring."
"You did not." But she could see from his expression that he absolutely had.
"I did. Though I did give her the name of that bodyguard who worked the senator's wife case last month. Jonah something. He specializes in protective details for difficult clients."
"Jonah Bauer," Yvette supplied, impressed despite herself. Vincent had become remarkably good at managing their caseload to protect their personal time. "Good call. He's got the patience for babysitting duty." She stood on her toes to kiss him again. "Now, about that breakfast..."
"Already on it."
Yvette watched him move to the stove where she could now see he'd been making pancakes. Everything about the way he moved still fascinated her—the way he seemed aware of everything around him even when focused on a simple task like cooking.
"Blueberry, with real maple syrup," he said, flipping pancakes with the same precision he used for everything else. "Not the tactical substitute you tried to sneak into the pantry."
"Hey, that tactical syrup has a five-year shelf life."
"And tastes like it." He plated the pancakes with a flourish that made her grin. "We're having a normal Saturday morning like normal people who don't regularly get shot at."
Yvette settled at their kitchen island, perfectly content to watch him finish preparing their breakfast. Their townhouse was a perfect blend of her organized chaos and his tactical precision—bookshelves filled with financial crime texts next to weapon maintenance manuals, her multiple computer monitors arranged alongside his communication equipment. It shouldn't have worked, but somehow it was exactly right.
"You know what I love about our life?" she asked, stealing a piece of bacon from his plate when he set it down.
"The exciting travel to exotic courtrooms?"
"The fact that we're exactly who we're supposed to be." She gestured around their kitchen, taking in the comfortable domesticity mixed with their professional equipment. "A year ago, I was a lonely forensic accountant who thought trusting people was a liability. Now I'm living with a man who thinks installing motion sensors in the garden is romantic foreplay."
"Those motion sensors are very romantic," Vincent protested, and she could see he was trying not to laugh. "They keep you safe, which is the most romantic thing I can think of."
"See? Perfect for each other." Yvette felt that familiar surge of contentment that came from being with someone who understood her completely. "Besides, I've gotten used to your security obsessions. They're actually kind of charming."
"Just charming?"
She could hear the mock hurt in his voice and had to bite back a smile. "Charming and effective. Did you know our house is now rated as more secure than most federal buildings?"
"I may have gone a little overboard with the upgrades," Vincent admitted, and she caught the slight flush on his cheeks.
"A little? Honey, our doorbell requires biometric identification."
"And yet somehow you still managed to disable it last week when the pizza delivery guy couldn't get in."
"That's what you get for dating a forensic accountant." Yvette reached across to steal another piece of bacon, enjoying the game they played. "We're very good at finding backdoors in security systems."
Vincent caught her hand before she could retreat, bringing her fingers to his lips in a gesture that made desire spiral through her. "I love your backdoors."
