The Espionage Effect(106)

But it wasn’t how they embraced that deeply affected me. Nor was it the tender kisses every sixty seconds between furtive smiles and whispered conversation. With every shaky inhalation and slow exhale, through each firm press of lips and gentle nod of reassurance, it became evident they’d been through trials, still suffered through them.

It was the way they stared at each other with utter adoration that rocked me to the core.

I launched from my seat, dumping my purse from my lap and knocking my carry-on over as I drew in the first cleansing lungful of air in far too long. My pulse quickened as I pinched unshed tears from my eyes. A smile tugged at my lips as I scooped up my belongings.

Once I had fingers wrapped around each handle, I rushed forward, racing toward the duty-free corridor, intent on pushing back through the security area against the flow, even if alarm bells sounded and armed guards detained me.

But I never made it that far. Didn’t even take ten full strides before I stopped dead in my tracks. There he stood under the trio of electronic flight boards.

Alec.

My breath caught. The bags I’d struggled to pick up in my chaotic rush, dropped onto the floor with a clatter. Frozen immobile, my lips parted as I gaped in disbelief.

Eyes narrowed, he stared at me. Determination etched into his features. A rogue lock of hair fell over his forehead as his gaze hardened with ferocity. His fists clenched, crushing paperwork held in the left one.

Then to put us both out of our tense misery, he lunged from his position, covered the few strides between us, and opened his arms wide seconds before he tackled me into an embrace and swung me around.

I squealed, holding tight to him as an unstoppable grin broke across my face.

After a second full rotation, when finally he put me down, my expression grew somber, smile faltering. What now? How did I bridge the yawning chasm between where I’d been all my life and where I desperately wanted to be?

Even though my feet touched the ground, my heart soared. The rest of my body lagged terribly behind: throat instantly parched, hands trembling.

He blew out a hard breath. “I’m pulling rank. You don’t get to say ‘no’.”

“Rank?” Utterly confused, my brow furrowed. “Since when do you outrank me?”

“I’m older. Clocked in more years alone.” He lifted a shoulder, half-shrugging while his lips downturned for a split second, as if an explanation was inconsequential.

Inarguable statements.

I failed to utter any worthy response, head empty of every damn thought for once because emotion had overridden all else. Elation appeared to have a brainwave-cancellation effect.

He arched a dark brow in challenge. “Need more?”

“No.”

His eyes sparked, nostrils flaring at my curt response.

“I mean, yes.” Damn it all. I’d become a bumbling idiot.

Freaking out over how badly my hands were trembling, I took a step back and threw my arms outward, shaking out my hands with two quick snaps at the wrists. Then I sucked in a breath, afraid he would read my actions as a rejection, and I stepped closer to him.

“I’m sorry.” I threaded my fingers through the side belt loops of his jeans, staring at the cotton weave of his black V-neck T-shirt that stretched over his chest. “I’ve never done this before.”

“Done what?”

“Hey, you’re wearing jeans.” A first. Casual suited him well.

“Impeccable observation skills.” His finger touched beneath my chin, then gently lifted until my gaze met his. “Done what?” he repeated.

“A relationship.”

“Neither have I.” He took a measured breath, but stared at me with renewed intensity.

I swallowed hard, straightening my shoulders, preparing for whatever came next.

He cleared his throat. “I’m not the white-picket-fence guy. I’m definitely not the two-and-a-half-kids-and-a-dog guy. But if being with me makes your world less dark, if you’ll have me, I’ll be your guy.”

Simple as that. All I needed to do was say…

“Yes.” The whispered word fell from my lips with conviction.

He didn’t promise to eradicate the darkness. I didn’t want him to.

Instead, what he offered fell into the realm of possibility: a brighter world filled with hope.

And I was done lying to myself.

I threw my arms around his neck, reveling in his solid heat as he embraced me. Our lips tentatively brushed, then molded together.

We stood in a crowded airport, and all of a sudden, I urgently wanted to be anywhere but.

A crinkle of paper rustled at my back.

Breathless from our heated kiss, I pulled back, examining what he held more closely. Two corners of white cardstock peeked out from a brightly colored slim rectangular folder. “What are those?” They appeared to be boarding passes.

“Two first-class tickets.”

“Oh?” I arched a brow, amused. “Confident.”

“Hopeful,” he corrected.

“Where to?”

“Another home I own.” He shrugged, his expression turning nonchalant.

“Which is located…” I drawled, well aware he was attempting to be both modest and vague.

“How do you feel about Switzerland?”

Stunned speechless, my lips parted even though no words came out. Until the warm, shining idea of it blanketed over me, different than the cold cloak of darkness I’d become accustomed to.