“It’s not about want—it’s about can’t. It’s an ongoing investigation. Legally, I can’t really comment on it.”
He dragged her back toward him and wrapped his arms around her. It was awkward—her body stiffened— but gradually she relaxed. He rubbed her shoulder gently. “Investigating Marines has to suck.”
“Yep.” One word, but so ripe with meaning. She traced a path along his arm with one nail. “Sometimes, it sucks worse than others. I don’t mind busting idiots who think running drugs is a good idea or boosting cars—or my personal favorite—importing liquor and cigarettes.”
He coughed. Sneaking cigarettes now and then wasn’t as unusual as one might expect. She glanced at him and he pasted on an innocent smile. Laughter bubbled through the stern expression and her body loosened, softening and cuddling against him.
Better.
“I’m not going to ask,” she promised.
“I’m not going to tell.” He winked.
The rain continued to hammer against the windows outside and she sighed deeper. “I like this,” she said, her voice hushed as though she worried about disturbing him.
“Me, too.” And he did, he liked having her leg tucked between his, and her body wrapped up tight. He liked not being alone. “Not going to bore you with some poor little rich boy story, but I’ve got options a lot of the guys in my unit don’t. So when they gave me the letter, I had to think about who it might benefit if I left—you know making room for those who don’t have choices they can make.”
“But you don’t want out.” Again, it wasn’t a question and he pressed a kiss to her temple. Her mind was a beautiful thing.
“No. Not really.”
She turned in his arms, shifting until he reclined back against the pillows and she could lay with her arms and hands on his chest, staring at him. It wasn’t as nice as holding her close, but he appreciated the eye contact.
“Then don’t.”
Good advice. Advice he’d considered and discarded the same night he received the letter. They needed to trim back to the active force—lots of guys left for injuries or at the end of their contracts. Lots couldn’t afford to go home to climbing costs in an economy that didn’t promise them a job. He didn’t have those worries. Financially, he could actually afford to be out of work. So, better it be him than a buddy with a wife, two kids, and a mortgage. He could take the hit for his men.
“It’s not so simple.” He would never allow it to be simple.
“It never is.” She bit her lip and it took about a decade of dilemma off her shoulders. He could imagine her as a young Marine, full of piss and vinegar and ready to take on the world. She could probably shoulder the world better now, ripe with experience and tempered by time. But he preferred the smile to the frown—the sharp, albeit acerbic, wit to the consternation and struggle. “The worst part of this investigation is I know one of the guys—personally.”
It was a fight to keep his tone calm. How personally did she know him? “Can you recuse yourself?”
“If it really becomes an issue—yes. Right now—I have a senior agent overseeing it. If it becomes one, we agreed he will step in and take the lead.” But she obviously didn’t want to surrender the case or worse, need to surrender it. There it was—the rock and a hard place.
“It pisses you off.” He couldn’t help the wonder in his voice, and the flash of annoyance on her face was cute—not that he planned to tell her anytime soon.
“Hell yes, it pisses me off.” Passion erupted and she started to rise. He pinched her ass and she collapsed against him.
“Stop trying to get away. We’re comfortable, naked, and I’m planning to lick my way down your body after our little get to know each other tête-à-tête.” He pressed a kiss to her slack lips, and her laughter vibrated through him. Her tongue tangled with his, and his cock gave a twitch. Oh yeah, he was definitely rested enough to start planning round two.
She broke away and dipped her head down to kiss his chest. “It pisses me off because it makes me feel weak—like I need someone to do my job.”
He appreciated her honesty and really hoped she didn’t blow up at him when he tucked his legs around hers and secured his position. “Well, I’m sorry, but that is just stupid.”
Chapter Five
Had he seriously called her stupid? Narrowing her eyes, she studied his too-calm expression. “What?”
“You heard me. That’s stupid.” Repeating it didn’t endear the word to her further nor did the kiss he pressed to the tip of her nose. “Come on. You’re stubborn, but you’re brilliant, too. Work through everything you told me and tell me you don’t think being pissed off because a senior agent has your back is dumb.”