Mission: Her Protection (Team 52 #1)(59)

“Sorry, Chad.” She extricated her arm. “I’m happily in love. Thanks, though.” She turned and spotted Lachlan leaning against his motorbike, ankles crossed.

His faded jeans showcased muscular thighs, and his tight, black T-shirt hugged that mouthwatering, hard chest and biceps. Cool mirrored shades covered his eyes.

“My God,” Sofia breathed.

Rowan didn’t blame the woman. Her own ovaries did a little quiver. Mine. All mine.

With a distracted wave to her colleagues, she raced toward her man. He met her, sweeping her up into his arms.

His kiss was hard and deep, and left her breathless.

“Hi,” she breathed.

“Hi.” He pressed his nose to hers. “You smell good.”

“Missed you,” she said.

“Missed you, too.” His voice lowered. “Who’s the douchebag? If he touches you again, I’ll break his arm.”

“He’s nothing to worry about.”

Lachlan turned his head, looking at Sofia and Chad. “Afternoon.”

Sofia waved and when Lachlan looked at Chad, he nudged his sunglasses down. Just a glimpse of Lachlan’s eyes made goose bumps break out on Rowan’s skin, and she saw Chad swallow.

“Lachlan,” she whispered. “You can’t kill him.” She leaned up and nipped Lachlan’s jaw. “There is only one man I want. Only one man I love.”

His arms tightened around her. “Rowan.”

“Bye, Rowan.” Sofia waved again, her smile huge. “Have a great weekend.”

Chad nodded cautiously and hurried to his car.

Lachlan handed Rowan her helmet. “Ready?”

Always. “Ready.”

She sat on the bike behind him, loving when the engine throbbed. She wrapped her arms around him.

He turned back. “You’re the only woman I love. The only woman I’ve ever loved.” He squeezed her thigh.

Love chased the scary out of his eyes, and she smiled at him.

As they pulled out of the university parking lot, Rowan pressed against his broad back. It was hard to believe that from the worst, scariest, most terrifying moment of her life, the most amazing, important thing had emerged.

As they zoomed off down the street, Rowan thought of Lars and Aimee. She thought of Isabel, Emily, Samuel, Amara, and the others.

Rowan vowed that she’d live every day for them and for herself. She’d live, laugh, and love with her man.



*

Lachlan flipped the burger patty on the grill. The sun was shining, he had a beer in his hand, his friends around him, and his woman was close by.

And they all had a weekend off. Bliss.

He looked up, watching his team eating and laughing. They had staked out a part of Sunset Park, enjoying the sunshine.

Rowan walked over, holding a tray of marinated chicken for him to cook. She smiled.

Damn. He felt warmth in his chest. He’d never felt this…content. Happy. Complete.

She’d moved into his condo, adding splashes of color and life. He was also pretty sure he was going to gain a few pounds from the endless chocolate creations she made for him. Not that he cared, because her baking was awesome. She was also loving her work and studies at the university. Last week, he’d even taken a few days off and they’d flown to New York so they could get the last of her things and meet her mother. That had been…interesting.

Dr. Kathleen Schafer had been arctic, and made it clear she was unimpressed with her daughter’s choice of partner.

Lachlan hadn’t given a shit. He’d hated seeing Rowan so on edge, though. Not that she cared any longer what her mother said to her, but she’d worried about what her mother would say to him.

“She’ll be rude,” Rowan had warned.

“Sweetheart, I love you. As long as you love me, I don’t care what your mother thinks.”

Rowan had relaxed after that. At the end of a tense dinner, Rowan had left to use the restroom.

Kathleen Schafer had leaned forward. “You’re not what I would have chosen for my daughter.”

He stayed silent.

“But I see the way you look at her.” The woman sipped her drink. “I’m not an emotional woman. I know Rowan thinks I don’t care about her…but I do want her to be happy.”

“I don’t really care what you think, Dr. Schafer. But I will tell you that I love Rowan. I’d die for her.”

“And kill for her.” The older woman tilted her head. “I know there’s more to your work, and more to what happened in Canada and Las Vegas than either of you have let on.”

He knew the woman was a genius, and again, he stayed silent.

“Take care of her,” Dr. Schafer said.

“Always.”

“Hey.” Rowan leaned into him, bringing him from the past to the present. He flipped another burger.

“Hey.”

She set the tray of chicken down. “Happy?”

“More than you know.” He pressed a quick kiss to her lips.

“God, you two.” Seth tipped his beer back. “Enough with the mushy stuff.”

Nearby, Axel snatched up a frisbee. “Who wants to take me on?”

Blair jumped off the picnic table where she’d been sitting. “Prepare to go down, Diaz.”