Hidden Away (KGI #3)(24)

“Let me guess. You’re scared of children too?”

He scowled. “Not scared. Cautious. Maybe a little apprehensive. Okay, terrified. I mean, they’re terrorists disguised as cute little people.”

She laughed that full throaty laugh that sent a shiver up his spine. Damn but she was beautiful when she laughed. She lit up like a Christmas tree and her eyes sparkled. Too bad he wasn’t a humorous guy. He’d give anything to make her laugh again.

“They aren’t that bad. They just need attention. And love. Just like everyone else.”

“Everyone else doesn’t puke on you. Or rub their snot on your shirt.”

She grinned. “That’s what antibacterial wipes are for.”

“Try full-body armor,” Garrett muttered.

She rolled her eyes. “A big muscled out guy like you, terrified of women and children. What a wimp.”

“Hey.” He pressed the cold bottle against the bare skin of her leg and she yelped as she slid away. “No need to get personal.”

She laughed again and God if he didn’t get all gooey inside. She was right. He was a first-class pansy. He scowled and gave thanks his brothers weren’t here to give him shit.

“Better check the steaks. It’s a sin to burn good meat.”

He hoisted himself to his feet and made it a point to “accidentally” get her with the cold bottle again. She giggled and pushed herself up as well. She followed him toward the grill and sniffed appreciatively when he propped open the lid.

“Smells great.”

“Yeah, just needs another minute or two. Want to grab plates and eat out here?”

She glanced over to the small patio table with the umbrella that tilted precariously to one side. “Yeah, that sounds great. I’ll get the stuff and set the table.”

They ate in companionable silence as dusk settled over the water. The skies faded from the brilliant blue of earlier, and shades of pink and gold spread like gossamer wings over the horizon. There was something to be said for this whole R and R thing. Not that he’d ever admit it to his brothers. But damn if he wasn’t enjoying himself. And the company.

When they pushed aside their plates, neither made a move to get up, and he was content to follow her lead. He settled back in his chair as the water turned dark with impending nightfall. The moon was barely visible as it crept over the horizon. It was nearly full and in two nights it would be, but it was still bright as it splashed across the surface of the ocean.

“I’ve kept you far too long,” Sarah said, breaking the silence. There was a note of discomfort in her voice, not that she’d spent the time with him, but a hesitancy that signaled her regret for what she considered an inconvenience.

“I had a good time. You’re great company.”

“So are you,” she said after a pause. “I had a good time too.”

The tone of her voice suggested that fact surprised her. And it probably did. Kind of tough to relax for a few hours when you’re looking over your shoulder at every turn.

He rose and began collecting the plates, but she reached over and put her hand on his wrist. Cool soft fingers and yet they burned his skin like coals.

“I’ll do it,” she said huskily. “You already did so much.”

“You sure you’re going to be okay?”

She nodded and released his wrist. He wanted to take her hand back so she kept touching him. He liked her hands. Small and so dainty and feminine. She had slender fingers with tapered nails. And the pads of her fingertips were smooth and infinitely soft.

“I’ll be fine, and again, thank you for doing so much to make me feel better. I really appreciate it.”

He wondered what she’d do if he told her he wanted to kiss her. Not that he would. Tell her, that is. If he was going to kiss her, he’d want her to have no warning. No time to think. But he didn’t want to scare the hell out of her either. So he stood there, watching her mouth and wondering what she’d taste like.

“If you need anything, don’t hesitate, okay? I’m just down the beach. And I mean anything. If you get scared, I’ll come over. It’s not a problem.”

For a long moment she simply stared at him, her heart in her eyes. They gleamed shiny in the soft moonlight and her lips were drawn almost as if she were in pain.

“I stopped believing they made men like you,” she said in a voice that made him ache. “Thank you for proving me wrong.”

He almost went back and kissed her anyway. It was the hardest thing he’d ever done, but he turned and walked down the beach to his cottage. He stopped midway to look back and she was still standing there, moon splashing silver on her skin.

He lifted his hand in a wave and then traveled the rest of the way in the dark.

When he entered his cottage, he groaned as he caught sight of the sat phone where he’d left it on the kitchen counter. Donovan was going to kill him. Better to get it over with sooner rather than later, and he was eager to hear what his brother had dug up on Sarah Daniels.

He dialed the number and waited as it rang. A moment later, a decidedly feminine voice bled over the line.

“Hello?”

“Sophie? What the hell are you doing answering this line?” Garrett asked. “Everything okay there?”

“Hi, Garrett.”

“Still pregnant, sweetheart?”