Page 6 of With You

I rolled my eyes and walked over to where Daisy was now dancing along with a princess remix compilation. It’s sad when the five-year-old in the room is more mature than the adult men.

* * *

ROE

I watched her walk to where Daisy was having a fierce dance battle with herself in the mirror. Sam dropped to the mat gracefully and began moving through a series of stretches. Her head tilted forward and connected with those long legs of hers. Good lord.

It had been years since I’d nearly torn my ACL trying to catch up with her on that run during basic. She was just as beautiful now as she was then. Her hair was still long, only now she tended to keep it in a braid instead of the regulation bun. Standard-issue camo had been replaced with a closet full of black.

The new or the old, I didn’t really care as long as she was in my life in some way. The time that I was away from her, not knowing where she was, if she was putting herself in danger, if she’d moved on and had found happiness with someone else, damn near killed me.

It didn’t matter that she’d pulled my heart out of my balls and crushed it under the heel of those sexy combat boots that she still wore. I couldn’t have forgotten her even if I wanted to. Unfortunately, Sam didn’t seem to have the same problem. Fuck, I was pathetic.

After the best night of my life, followed by the worst morning, I’d dragged my heartbroken ass onto a plane and pushed through my next round of training. It wasn’t long before I was being recruited by the cyber security team and from there, I spent most of my time working Black Ops that would probably still be classified long after I’d died.

My path had crossed with Gray and Kane’s on a few missions and not only did I respect the hell out of them but I liked them as well. When they’d sent word that they were opening their own security firm and they could use someone with my specific abilities, I’d jumped at the opportunity.

I’d enjoyed my time working for the government, but it was time for a new challenge and I was ready to be stateside again. When they’d asked if I knew anyone else who might be interested in joining the team, I’d dropped Sam’s name before I’d even completed the thought.

If I had to admit it to myself, a large part of recommending her was for selfish reasons. But she was also a great fucking Marine and when I’d used my access to check in on her from time to time, it was clear that she was one of the best.

I’d lie awake at night, second guessing what could only be called my manipulations. The day she was arriving was burned in my memory, hell, I was the one that booked her plane ticket. I’d had a long time to prepare myself for seeing her again, for whatever she might throw at me. Definitely some curse words, maybe a punch or two, I’d take it all.

But when Samanatha Hebert walked through the front doors of Falls Security, there was no way I could have prepared for the sight of her. Time had either dulled my memory or she’d become even more gorgeous.

She’d been dressed professionally in a plain white button-down shirt that was tucked into smart, black slacks. Low-heeled black leather shoes were on her feet, giving her an extra inch onto her already model tall frame. Sam strode confidently forward with a warm smile and a strong handshake.

Then she saw me and the recognition was instant. That sexy confidence faltered and panic lit within her eyes. The Sam I’d known would never run away from a challenge but she looked about ready to tear out of that office like her ass was on fire.

I couldn’t have that, my brave Sam leaving because of me. Not again. So, I reached deep down and dragged the Monroe Ross that had made her smile to the surface. The one that’d had it all before he screwed it up.

“Hey, Hebert, do me a favor and tell these guys how amazing I was back in basic. They think I’m just some code jockey that barely snuck through.”

Her relief shone in her eyes. “I’d hate to lie on my first day. Especially since I never got the vomit off my shoes, I had to throw them away and they were my favorite pair.” Kane and Gray laughed and welcomed Sam with open arms just like I knew they would.

They’d been impressed with her record and that quickly grew to respect and trust as Sam proved herself time and again.

We’d started fresh, neither of us mentioning our night in the motel. We weren’t close, not in the way we used to be and not in the way I wanted. But I still saw her every day and I ensured she spoke to me by making stupid jokes and mild flirtations that annoyed her until she graced me with that stink eye I loved so much.

Yup, I was pathetic.

2

SAM

I pulled my old duffel off the top shelf and threw it onto my bed. Then I opened my dresser and started pulling out clothes.

My bedroom, my entire home really, was my private space. It was where I could be alone and comfortable. There was no need to be on guard or worry about someone in the next bunk overhearing my nightmares. My sanctuary after a lifetime of never settling anywhere permanent.

Growing up, my mom and I never stayed in one place for long. Then, I’d spent my years in the Marines on a hard bunk in either freezing cold or miserably hot barracks. Surrounded by other men and women and the smells that came with it. Living alone had taken me a while to get used to, but now, I cherished the silence when I walked through my door.

The other members of Falls Security would probably be shocked at the décor I’d chosen to surround myself with. Given that my preferred clothing consisted of the color black and the occasional dark grey, my home was a veritable rainbow.

When Kane and Gray had decided to convert the upper levels of the office into living spaces, I’d had no problem taking one of the smaller ones with only one bedroom. I didn’t have a child like Gray and I was tall but not the giant that Kane was. I still had large windows that let in plenty of sunlight and the exposed brick that gave the building its charm, which was perfect for me.

I had an entire gallery wall in my bedroom devoted to album covers and posters from my favorite bands. My bed had soft satin sheets and a matching deep purple comforter. I had no less than seven throw pillows on my bed and I loved every single one of them. My current favorite was embroidered with a leopard print skull that Mom sent me for my birthday.

A tufted black chair was tucked into the corner and a soft, purple, woven blanket was draped over the back for when I felt like curling up to read a book.

---