Page 92 of Unseen Danger
Or maybe these feelings for her had been growing every day that he thought about her, saw her, talked to her.
He wanted to talk to her more, get to know all about her. Wanted to hold her like this for much, much longer.
But she pulled away. Not far. Her small hands still lingered on his sides, and she stayed within the loose hold of his arms.
She was even more beautiful up close. Her flawless skin tempted him to lift his hand and run his thumb over her cheek, just to feel if it was as soft as it looked. But he kept his hand where it was, nearly as happy to rest gently on her back.
She finally lifted her lids, tilting her head up so her gaze reached his face.
His breath caught. Signs of stress and fear lingered around her eyes, but the dark brown orbs were filled with relief, maybe gratitude, and something else. Something so soft and wonderful that it made him want to lean down and taste her full lips.
But those lips moved as she spoke. “Thank you.” Her eyes seemed to search his.
“You’re welcome.” He wanted to say much more, something that didn’t make it sound like she owed him. Because, if anything, he owed her for risking her life to protect D-Chop’s kids. He cleared his throat. “You were amazing.”
Her eyebrows lifted.
“I saw the security footage at Fun Land. Thank you for protecting the kids.”
She twisted slightly in his arms, glancing toward the open doorway. “I should’ve asked. Where are the men? The ones who took me?”
“They’re incapacitated at the moment.” He’d been able to render them all unconscious as he’d worked his way to Nevaeh. Thankfully without lethal techniques.
Her mouth quirked as she scanned him from his chest to his face. “You like a giant Amalia Pérez or something?”
His turn to lift his eyebrows in question.
She chuckled. “That was Sofia when she was with the CIA. Girl has crazy skills you wouldn’t believe.” As she spoke, she relaxed in his arms in such a comfortable way that his heart pumped faster.
He could get used to this.
A sound echoed. Inside the warehouse.
A dog barking?
“Alvarez!” Nevaeh pulled away completely, leaving his arms feeling empty.
Or maybe that was his heart, bereft without her.
“The PK-9 crew is here.” She moved toward the empty doorway, then paused. She looked back with a smile that nearly stopped his heart “You coming?”
Then she did it. She held out her slim, lovely hand, low and angled in a clear invitation.
He covered her hand with his, interlocking their fingers as he followed her out of the office to meet the Phoenix K-9 team. He ignored the warnings in his head that told him he shouldn’t hold her hand, shouldn’t send the wrong signals when he couldn’t date a non-Christian.
Because right now, his heart’s will was stronger, telling him to follow her anywhere and never let her go.
Twenty-Seven
Nevaeh watched the women of PK-9 and their dogs in the breakroom at headquarters, smiling at the way Sof teased Cora and Bris about wedding colors and flower arrangements. She stroked Cannenta’s short fur as the corgi mix sat on her lap, warming her legs.
“May I get you more coffee, Nevaeh?” Cora smiled from the love seat where she was poised on a cushion, Jana lying on the floor by her feet. Even from this distance, Nevaeh could see the worry that added thin lines to Cora’s milky white skin.
“I’m good, thanks.”
Poor Cora had been hovering since Nevaeh arrived about five minutes ago. Cora’s mothering instincts meant she had to make sure every team member was okay at all times. She’d better have some kids soon so she could make good use of all those mama tendencies. “Is there anything else I can get you?”
Nevaeh chuckled. Cora was probably worried because Nevaeh wasn’t as talkative or peppy as usual. “Nah, I’m fine, Cora. Really.” And she was. Thanks to a surprisingly calm night of sleep, probably because she knew Phoenix and Dag were patrolling outside her house, Nevaeh felt about ninety percent better today.