Page 19 of Operation: Light Storm

After composing myself, I open the bathroom door and walk out to see Kane stand up and stretch his arms above his head. The bottom of his t-shirt lifts and I get a glimpse of tan, ridged abs and a very prominent happy trail that disappears into his low-slung scrub pants.Mmm, delish.A wave of desire flares through me as Kane heads into the bathroom, and I can’t miss the smirk on his face.

“What’re you smiling about?” I ask in a flirty voice.

He pauses in the doorway. “You talk in your sleep.”

“No, I don’t,” I deny on instinct, a gut reaction to being caught in something I really rather he hadn’t noticed.Because gosh freaking darn it, I do.“What did I say?” I reluctantly ask, trying not to read into the amused look on his face.

“I’m not sure,” he says. “Just some murmurs and moans.”

With a full-blown grin, he disappears into the bathroom, closing the door behind him.

“Oh, God.” I slap a hand against my forehead. If I was having sex dreams about Kane, I don’t remember them. All I know is I had a very good night’s sleep. Maybe the best I’ve ever had and, considering our circumstances, that speaks volumes.

When Dr. DeLazzer arrives a little later, we’re just finishing a plate of fruit and bowls of little boxed cereal and milk. It’s been almost 24 hours and neither of us have shown any signs of being sick.

“Tell us something good, Doc,” Maddox says.

“Ms. Shaw, your test came back negative for antibodies. You can go.”

Relief floods through me. “And Kane?” I ask.

“Mr. Maddox, your test is inconclusive at this point. There is a heightened level of antibodies in your blood, but you could simply be fighting off a cold. We need you to stay a few more hours.”

My heart sinks. “It’s probably just a cold coming on,” I reassure him. “I’m staying with you and we’ll leave together. Okay?”

He nods, but I can’t miss the worry lines on his forehead. We’re going to stick it out together. We’re a team, and there’s no way I’m leaving him here by himself. I do my best to distract him and we pass the time telling jokes and sharing stories about our military experiences before we finally circle back around to the date we have scheduled.

“Are you going to be a gentleman?” I ask.

“You mean like hold doors open and pay?” he asks. “Of course.”

“No. I mean like walk me up to my door afterward and kiss me goodnight.”

His eyes glow a deeper, darker green and he nods. “If you want me to,” he says in a husky voice.

“And what if I invite you inside?”

I watch his Adam’s apple bob up and down when he swallows hard. We’re both breathing faster. “Then I’ll come inside. And if you let me, I’ll push you back up against the door and kiss you senseless.”

My mouth opens slightly at his heated words. “And what if I invite you to spend the night?” I ask breathlessly.

“Then I’ll probably think I died and went to heaven. Or that I’m dreaming.”

“You’re not dreaming, Kane,” I whisper. “Not now and not next week.”

“If you let me in your bed, Sai, you won’t regret it. I will worship every curve and make you come until you see stars.”

My toes curl and I squeeze my thighs together. I always knew he’d be a dirty-talking, take charge kind of partner. I just never thought I wanted that, or him. But my body’s reaction is betraying the truth hiding behind the walls my mind put up. And the resonant tone carrying his words is exciting me in a way no man ever has before.

I’m dying to kiss him, and his eyes and body language confirm he’s feeling the exact same way. We start leaning in toward each other, heads moving closer, gazes locked and desire guiding us, when the door opens and reality comes crashing back in. We jump apart like teenagers caught canoodling under the bleachers.

“Good news,” Dr. DeLazzer announces. “Everything is showing up clear.”

“You’re absolutely certain?” I ask.

“Yes. We ran every diagnostic test for viral infections and they all came back negative.”

“Thank God,” I whisper. I breathe out a huge sigh of relief and smile at Kane, who simply nods when I say, “Let’s go home.”

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