Ignited (Titanium Security Series) (38 page)
Last night, holding Khalia in his own bed, he’d felt more at peace than he had in a long time. Maybe ever. She’d told him he made her feel safe, and he was glad. He’d do anything for her. “I’ll be home for a while yet, so don’t worry,” he murmured, grinning when she sighed and relaxed in his arms.
“Good.”
They stood wrapped together and stared out at the endlessly changing ocean. “I just got off the phone myself,” she announced.
“Yeah?” He was more interested in sliding his hands into the vee of the robe’s neckline and cupping her breasts in his hands, just to hear her moan and feel her wriggle against him while he played with her sensitive nipples.
A nod. “I wanted to surprise you.”
He glanced down at her profile, caught the smug grin she was trying to hide. “With what?”
“A project I’ve been working on. Concerning you.”
That piqued his interest enough for him to shelve the breast cupping thing for later. But not too much later. “Me?” He turned her in the circle of his arms and read the joy and excitement shining in her eyes as she stared up at him. God, she made him feel ten feet tall when she looked at him like that.
“I want you to help me run a veteran’s foundation. To help provide private counseling, business training and other things they’ll need when they make the transition back into civilian life. You said yourself that’s one of the biggest holes in the system, so let’s plug it. And we’ll name it after Scottie.”
Hunter stared at her, at a loss for words. He’d known she was working on something, he’d assumed for Fair Start, and the few times he’d caught her at her laptop she’d quickly shut the lid so he couldn’t see. But this? After going through the hell in Pakistan and undergoing intensive therapy while still grieving for her father, she’d still been thinking of
this
? She blew him away. She couldn’t possibly know how much the gesture meant to him, let alone the effort and commitment behind it.
“You don’t need to—”
She swatted his chest playfully. “Don’t even. You know I don’t want to teach anymore and that I want to do something meaningful besides Fair Start, especially since I only have an administrative role now that the school’s going to be back in session soon.”
“Because of you,” he pointed out. “The Paks would never have stepped up security there if it weren’t for you.” Didn’t she realize that yet?
“Well, whatever. But back to Scottie’s foundation.” Her expression softened, the conviction and love in her eyes making him want to drop to his knees and press his face into her belly out of sheer gratitude. He had no idea what the hell he’d done to deserve her in the first place; just that he couldn’t imagine going through life without her now.
She kept talking, seemingly oblivious to the swell of emotion she’d evoked in him. “I have the means and the will to do this, but if it’s not useful or you think it’s not a good idea then we can do something different—”
“It’s amazing,” he interrupted. “It’s…unreal that you’d be willing to do that.”
Her smile was impossibly tender, filling all the empty places inside him with a warm glow. “I love you. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you, and I think this has the potential to make a real difference for veterans.”
He swallowed and glanced away toward the ocean, struggled to find his voice. “Scottie would’ve liked that.” Maybe not being singled out personally, but he’d have loved the chance to help fellow vets.
“I’m glad. But what about you?” She tilted her head to search his eyes. “I’d totally understand if you need some time to think about it. I know I’ve sprung this on you and you’ve got a lot going on already.”
He shook his head to stop her words, threaded his hands into her hair. When he spoke his voice was rough with emotion. “I’d love to do it. I love
you
.” It was so inadequate and totally cheesy, but the words were all he had. Sometimes with her his heart got so full it seemed like it might burst. He’d never known he could feel this way about anyone until Khalia.
He swallowed again, still floored that she loved him and wanted to be a part of his life. “So this means you’ll stay with me?”
She blinked, frowned up at him in adorable confusion. “Of course I’ll stay with you.”
“No, I mean…here. Move in with me.” He wanted that so much, to wake up with her every morning and fall asleep with her in his arms every night. She didn’t seem to realize it but she was his anchor, a calm, safe harbor during a storm.
The frown evaporated, her lips parted in surprise. “Are you sure?”
“I’m sure. When I’m with you I feel so…at peace. I…I need you.” Fuck, he sounded like a total pansy, but he meant every word. He could feel the blood rushing into his face as she stared at him, looking at him like he’d grown another head. Thankfully it turned out that wasn’t what she was thinking at all.
A joyous smile spread across her face, and he felt the warmth of it to the marrow of his bones. She lifted her arms to twine them about his neck. “I need you too. And I’d love to move here with you.”
Letting out a rough breath, he hauled her hard against him, squeezed her tight as he buried his face in her hair. “Tomorrow.”
She laughed softly and caught his face with her palms to turn him for a kiss that sent his thoughts scattering and every drop of blood in his hot face rushing to his groin. She made that soft, hungry noise that never failed to tie him in knots, and he had her up in his arms and over to one of the padded chaise lounges at the side of the deck. All that soft material slipped away to reveal even silkier skin, and then she was drawing him down into her arms and the cradle of her body.
“I’m gonna make you do all the heavy lifting,” she warned, limbs locked around him as he nipped and kissed his way down her throat.
“I’ll lift whatever the hell you want me to if it means you’re moving in here for good,” he answered. Sliding his arms beneath her to hold her in place, he closed his mouth over one straining nipple and sucked. Her reaction was immediate and hot as hell. She bowed up and let loose with a husky cry that never failed to make him nuts.
That sexy sound drifted into the night air, a helpless moan tinged with the edge of a plea. Fighting back a smile Hunter leaned in and redoubled his efforts, determined to show her without words just how much he worshipped her and the precious gift of her love.
—The End—
Titanium Security Series (romantic suspense)
Ignited
Singed (August 2013)
Burned (late 2013)
Bagram Special Ops Series (military romantic suspense)
Deadly Descent
Tactical Strike
Lethal Pursuit (September 2013)
Suspense Series (romantic suspense)
Out of Her League
Cover of Darkness
No Turning Back
Relentless
Absolution
Empowered Series (paranormal romance)
Darkest Caress
Historical Romance
The Vacant Chair
A huge shout out to my amazing crit partner and number one cheerleader, Katie Reus. I love you like cake or dark chocolate (and that’s saying something!). Also to Kara, my wonderful, beautiful sister-in-law. Thanks so much for lending me your eyes for this book, and have I told you lately how much I love being related to you? And last but not least, to my husband Todd, for his help and support on such a tight deadline. Love you!
Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and sons. You can visit Kaylea at
www.kayleacross.com