Mission: Her Protection (Team 52 #1)(21)

She brushed a hand back through her hair. “I think I’ll take that shower now.”

“Your parents are assholes, Rowan.”

She lifted a shoulder. “They’re the only ones I’ve got.” She shot him a look before she stepped into the bathroom and closed the door.

He stayed there, staring at the door. He heard the shower turn on, and instantly he imagined red hair darkened to mahogany by the water, and droplets running over creamy skin.

Fuck. His cock hardened, and he quickly slammed out of the room. Her damn parents…he shook his head. When he got to Grayson’s office, he didn’t bother knocking.

Director Jonah Grayson was standing in profile behind his desk, wearing one of his perfectly fitted, dark suits, reading a file. He looked up. “Lachlan.”

“Jonah.” He dropped into a chair.

Jonah was tall, with black hair and piercing green eyes. He had some Native American heritage that came through in his bronze skin and high cheekbones. Lachlan had no idea exactly what the man’s background included, but he could handle himself in any situation, gave orders with ease, and navigated Washington’s political minefields with a deft hand.

But every now and then, Lachlan sensed that Jonah hid a whole lot of dangerous under his suave exterior.

“This is a mess.” Jonah tossed the file on his desk.

“Yeah.”

“The cover story has gone out. An undetected gas leak killed the research team, and left Dr. Jensen in intensive care. By a stroke of luck, Dr. Schafer survived.”

Lachlan nodded. “Ty and Nat are working on the artifact. After they’ve finished, it’ll be locked up.”

“Good.” Jonah nodded. “We can trust Dr. Schafer to stick to the story?”

“Yes.” Lachlan knew she wouldn’t like it.

“There’ll be some paperwork for her to sign. I’ll get Brooks to sort it out. You can tell Dr. Schafer she’s free to head home.”

Lachlan knew he’d been dismissed.

He found Rowan in the kitchen again, sitting at a table and picking at some noodles.

“Hey.” He poured himself a coffee and grabbed some things from the cupboard. “Feel better?”

He got a forced smile. “Sure.”

He sat in the chair beside her. “My boss has cleared you to go home.”

She bit her lip. “How the hell do I just go back to my life after this?”

Following instincts he couldn’t define, Lachlan moved closer, sliding an arm around her shoulders. “One day at a time.”

A choked sound escaped her. “You used to say that to me when I was upset as a kid.”

“And then I’d give you one of these.” He held out a candy bar.

A hiccupping laugh. “I’ve turned into a chocolate snob since then. I prefer Belgian.” But she took the bar and pocketed it.

He pulled her closer, and she buried her face into his chest. Her arms wrapped around him, holding on tight.

“I missed you, Lachlan.”

God, she felt good. She was the perfect size, tucked up against him. He felt one of her hands slide under his shirt. That felt good too. Too good.

“Rowan—”

She looked up, her blue eyes filled with heat.

Fuck. Lachlan felt his control slip. He lowered his head and kissed her.

As his mouth hit hers, she went still. Then, one of her hands slid into his hair and she kissed him back.

Damn. An inferno roared through Lachlan. He’d expected sweet, but it instantly morphed into hot and demanding. She pressed into him, her full breasts against his chest. His heartbeat accelerated and he deepened the kiss, tongue delving into her mouth. She moaned, her fingers pulling on his hair. Her tongue slid against his and she pushed even closer. With a groan, he gripped her, dragging her into his lap. She straddled him and whimpered. Shit, his cock was so hard.

“Ah, sorry to interrupt.”

Lachlan heard Rowan squeak, and he pulled back. She tried to scramble away, but he held her still.

“Brooks.” The man had terrible timing.

Brooks slipped his hands into the pockets of his jeans, not trying very hard to hide his grin. “I have some confidentiality agreements for Rowan to sign.” He nodded to some papers on the table.

She nodded, fighting to get off Lachlan’s lap. He clamped a hand on her thigh to keep her in place.

“I’m sure Lachlan’s told you that the appropriate authorities have been dealt with, and you’re free to go home.”

Rowan nodded and looked at Lachlan. “And Lars?”

“We’ll take care of him,” he said. “You have my word.”

Her shoulders drooped and Lachlan thought she looked incredibly tired. She’d been through so much, and she’d held up so well.

And here he was, thinking with his cock. Taking advantage of a vulnerable woman. The thoughts were like a bucket of ice over his desire.

He shifted her off his lap, placing her back in her chair.

He had to remember that he was her past. Hell, they hadn’t seen each other for two decades, and in that time, he’d done things that would make her look at him in horror.

Lachlan wasn’t the kid she’d known anymore. She deserved some decent, normal guy who’d take care of her. To give her a pretty house and be home every night. Lachlan hated the faceless guy already.