It’s only a rumor. There had been no official word in the office. Besides, if and when it became a definite thing, Justin Billings would let him know. Nate had met Justin, a member of the elite FBI team, the previous year when they’d worked a mission together in Afghanistan. A mission that hadn’t gone as planned and left two of Nate’s fellow Marines dead and nearly killed Justin. Only Nate’s determination and stubbornness had allowed him to keep them both alive, despite Justin’s injuries. To this day that mission haunted his dreams.
When Justin returned home, he and Nate stayed in contact. In fact, Justin had been the one to suggest that Nate join the FBI and eventually HRT. At first he’d been unsure, but the more Nate learned about what the FBI did in reality, opposed to on television, and the role it played in protecting U.S. citizens, the more determined he’d become about being an agent.
Even if the rumor proved true, however, there was no guarantee he’d make it past the tryouts. HRT only accepted the best, and most of the agents who tried out didn’t make it through the rigorous training process. On the other hand if he made the team, they’d have to move down to Virginia. But if Lauren said she would have been willing to deal with all the moves the military could throw at you all those years ago, then she’d agree to a move now. That’s a lot of ifs and no guarantees. Worry about it if it happens.
Dismissing all thoughts of work, he came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her shoulders. The instant he made contact, Lauren jumped and then tugged her earbuds out.
“Jeez, you scared me,” she scolded him, but gave him a brilliant smile at the same time.
“Maybe you shouldn’t wear those in the house.” He flicked one of the earpieces with his finger.
“Audiobooks sound better to me when I listen to them like this.” She stood and slipped her arms around his neck pressing her body against his. “You shouldn’t sneak up on me.” She pressed her lips against his before he got a word out.
At first, he let her control the kiss. When she slid her tongue against his, though, he snapped and took over. His mind and body registered everything from the feel of her next to him, to the root beer that lingered on her breath, mixed with the scent of her favorite perfume. Heaven. Right here with Lauren was pure heaven. No other word did it justice.
Abruptly, Lauren pulled away. “I need to put this on hold,” she said with an audible sigh. “These progress reports are due in the morning.”
Nate leaned down. “Are you sure they can’t wait till later?” He locked his lips on her earlobe and sucked. When she moaned, he smiled. “They’ll still be here in an hour or so.”
“No, I need to do it now,” she said, her eyes still closed. “Maybe you can eat while I finish.”
Eating was the last thing on his mind. “Really? You’d rather work first.” He slipped a hand under the hem of her sweatshirt while he continued to suck on her earlobe.
“Later. I promise.” She gave him a tiny shrug. “Go eat. I can smell the pizza from here. Just save me a slice or two.”
Nate took a step back. “You got it. You know where to find me when you’re done.”
Both dogs still sat near the counter when he returned alone. At the smell of the pizza, his stomach growled, and the arousal pounding through his veins subsided. Since he couldn’t do anything about the desire he felt, he might as well take care of his body’s other demand. He hadn’t eaten anything substantial since breakfast.
“Sorry guys, you’re not getting any of this,” he said to the dogs as he pulled out a bar stool at the counter.
***
Her hands were still behind her back on her bra clasp when Nate walked into the bedroom Friday morning wearing nothing but a towel around his waist. Droplets of water clung to his hair and body, reminding her of the sexy eye candy pictures her friends posted on their profile pages.
Wow. Even after all the times she’d seen him naked in the past month, the sight of him took her breath away.
“Like what you see?” Nate shot her a smile when he met her gaze, and her heart rate spiked.
We have to work this morning. She forced her feet not to move toward him so she could lick the water droplet slipping down his stomach. “I’m glad you don’t let your looks go to your head.”
He graced her with another grin then turned toward the bureau. He let the towel drop as he pulled out clean briefs giving her a perfect view of his well-formed butt.
“Try to get home right after school.”
At his words, she pulled her eyes away from the excellent view.
“I have a surprise for you this afternoon. I plan to be home by three o’clock.”