Defending Morgan (Mountain Mercenaries #3)(42)

The day was beautiful, and he knew the park would be crowded and no one would take a second glance at them. He pulled into a parking spot and shut off the engine. He continued to hold Morgan’s hand and didn’t say a word, letting her process the morning in her own way.

“That didn’t exactly go as planned,” she said after a long while.

Arrow chuckled. “Things usually don’t, but I actually think it went as well as it could’ve. There was no way those vultures were going to let their chance to ask you questions go.”

“I would’ve preferred that things went how they did with you and your Marine speech you gave,” she said.

“Actually, I didn’t tell you the entire story,” Arrow admitted.

Morgan looked up at him for the first time since she’d gotten into his truck. He hated the pain behind her eyes, but rejoiced in the curiosity he saw there as well. “Seriously?”

“Yup. The top brass didn’t give a shit about my short presentation because they’d already sat through three others that day, and they were bored out of their skulls. It was just a learning opportunity for Marines like me. So they didn’t care and were thrilled mine was so short. But my commanding officer definitely cared. After we left and got back to his office, he chewed me a new asshole and told me I was a disgrace and that my briefing was the worst he’d seen in his twenty years on the job.”

Morgan’s eyes widened. “What happened?”

“I was lucky I wasn’t demoted a rank. He just made my life a living hell for the rest of the time I served under him . . . and made sure I never forgot what an ass he thought I’d made of myself.”

“Well, I’m glad you didn’t tell me that part of the story,” Morgan said with a shake of her head and a little chuckle. Then she turned to him. “Thank you.”

“For?”

“For being with me. For getting me out of there. For . . . everything, really.”

Arrow loosened his hand from hers and brought it up so he was cupping the back of her neck tenderly. He leaned over until he was resting his forehead against hers. It felt as if they were the only two people in the world at that moment. “Mark my words, beautiful. I’ll always be there for you. No matter if I’ve got three bullet holes in me or have had my leg blown off. I’ll do everything in my power to be there when you need me.”

“I think that’s a bit extreme,” she said with a small smile, but Arrow noticed that she’d gripped the side of his T-shirt with one hand and held on tightly. “Zombie Arrow might scare me more than whatever situation I’m in.”

He grinned but said, “My point is . . . don’t count me out. You and me, we’re a lot alike.”

“I doubt that,” she huffed.

“We are. We fight for what we want. You fought to stay sane and alive until someone could find you or you could make your escape. And I’ll fight for you. I was a Marine, Morgan. We don’t let anything stop us when the shit hits the fan.”

“Do you think the shit’s going to hit the fan?” she asked quietly.

“I have no idea. But rule number one is to plan for the worst and hope for the best.”

“That’s kinda depressing.”

It was Arrow’s turn to chuckle. “I think you of all people can appreciate that saying.”

“True,” she agreed. Then she said quietly, “I’m scared, Arrow.”

“Of what?”

“Everything. What if my mom doesn’t want me to live with her? I’m afraid of being kidnapped again. I’m scared that what I’m feeling for you right now is just gratitude that you saved me and that when I leave, you’ll come to your senses and realize how much of a mess I am and thank your lucky stars that I’m out of your life.”

“You are never going to be out of my life,” Arrow vowed. “You’ve already burrowed yourself in here.” He picked up her hand and placed it on his chest over his heart. “If your mom doesn’t want you living with her, which I highly doubt, you can stay here with me. I can’t do anything about your being afraid of being snatched again, except reassure you that me and my team are doing everything we can to figure out who was behind it and make sure they never, ever get the chance to get near you again.”

Morgan took a deep breath, then nodded again.

Arrow lifted his forehead from hers, brought his fingers to her chin, and tilted her face up. “May I kiss you?”

He didn’t lean forward. Didn’t do anything to pressure her. Simply waited.

She dipped her chin down a fraction of an inch.

Arrow’s lips quirked up, and he closed the distance between them. He brushed his lips against hers once. Then twice. Then he pulled back and said, “Thank you.”

She blinked. “That’s it?”

“What? Not good enough?”

Morgan’s brows furrowed, and she shook her head.

“Why don’t you kiss me, then?” Arrow challenged.

He saw the spark of determination in her eyes a second before she said, “I will.” Then her lips were on his—and she was kissing him.

Arrow had never been so turned on in his entire life.

Morgan kissed him as if her life depended on it, as if she was desperate for him. He followed her lead and let her take control. When her tongue came out and traced his lips, he couldn’t stop the small groan that escaped. He opened for her and tightened his hold on her neck when her tongue swept inside his mouth.