Six months later.
Luke returned to ICE after joining a covert op with assets Olivia Hamilton and Logan Rodgers. They barely got out with their lives, but they took down a terrorist sept in Sudan. Now back at ICE, he’d been spending all his free time looking for clues to Michelle’s kidnappers. If they were still in operation, he planned take them down with or without Garth’s backing.
After spending hours sorting through the chatter, about a week ago, Luke had found his biggest lead yet. And while Asa was using her magic to crack the code, Luke was honing his skills in the paintball court with Hamilton and Rodgers.
Using night vision goggles, Luke waited patiently for his quarry. The two other ICE operatives were both top notch. They’d each nailed him once, but he’d figured out their game—and with the time limit, Building B had to be secured in less than two minutes. Better, he’d already nailed Olivia. Logan was a different matter. Formerly a Navy SEAL, the man was a bloody ghost.
Luke heard the faintest of sounds, no louder than a slip of paper falling to the ground. Jumping up from his hide, he took a shot. Logan’s rifle unloaded against the wall. Luke advanced, firing over and over while the SEAL curled into a ball.
The lights flicked on and Olivia walked forward crossing her arms. “What the hell, Fox?” she said in her British accent. “You’re beat a couple times and you turn into Rambo?”
“Sorry.” But he wasn’t. He’d been on edge ever since he’d left Michelle in Iowa. He never should have walked away and left the note. And now he’d blown it. By now, she was probably enrolled in uni and dating the gridiron star. Bloody yanks and their footy.
“Fox, report to the sit room,” Garth’s voice barked over the intercom.
Oliva cleared her throat. “You? Why bloody you and not us?”
Luke shrugged. “Maybe because I’m a pilot.”
“I can fly,” said Logan, swiping blue paint off his face.
“How about landing an American F/A 18 Super Hornet on an aircraft carrier?”
Logan waved him off. “Smart ass.”
“See you later, mate.” Chuckling, Luke saluted and double-timed it to the Situation Room in the center of Command.
Garth looked up from his laptop. “What took you so long?”
Ignoring the question, Luke slid into a seat. “You got a job for me, boss?”
“I do. We need a team undercover but not before you’ve fast-tracked your partner.”
“Partner?” Luke’s voice shot up. The last thing he needed was dead weight.
“It’s a husband-wife cover.”
Oh great, he was going to have to play lovey dovey with some greenhorn. “What about Logan and Olivia? They’re a couple.”
“Yeah, but I need them in Syria and Olivia speaks Arabic like a native.” Garth pushed the intercom button. “Tawney, bring her in.”
Luke spread his hands to his sides. “Look, I can do anything on my own. I’m a lone wolf.”
Garth just stared with an intent yet disinterested expression.
The door opened behind Luke and the slight whoosh of air tickled the hair on the back of his neck. Moreover, his damned stomach fluttered. What the? Turning, he gasped. Yes, him. The Aussie tough guy gasped as he stared into the gorgeous, blue eyes of the only woman he’d ever loved. His mouth went dry as he pushed to his feet. “Michelle?”
“Hi,” she said, sounding a little uncertain.
“I’m so…” He glanced over his shoulder and met Garth’s humorless stare. “Surprised to see you.” He didn’t care if the CO was watching, he gave her a hug.
“The pair of you will start training immediately. I’ve drawn up a schedule for Miss Bradford. She needs it all, especially the espionage survival module.”
“Yes, sir.” Luke pulled back, grasping her hands and smiling. “Do you have a mission? You know I’ve been working on—”
“The kidnapping ring.” Garth squinted. “Asa told me—and you’re onto to something big.”
“I knew it.” Luke looked to Michelle, remembering what happened in Puerto Vallarta. “You up for this?”
“I am. And I’ll bet I want to take them down more than you.” She squeezed Luke’s hand.
“You knew what I was up to?”
“Asa called me a few days ago to ask some questions. That’s when I realized what I should do for the rest of my life. She transferred me to Garth and I pleaded with him to let me back inside.”
The CO gave a nod. “And I think Bradford will be a hell of an asset.”
“I reckon you’re spot on, sir,” Luke said, refusing to let go of her hand.
She flicked her hair, catching the light like brunette satin. “It was great to be reunited with my parents, but after the euphoria wore off, I realized I can be of use. I never want anyone to go through a childhood like mine.”
“And with the training she’s already had, not to mention the on-the-job experience, we decided she would fit right in,” said Tawney.
“If she passes muster,” Garth barked. “Now out of my sight. You have a month, not a day more.”
***
Michelle followed Luke to the corridor as if she were floating. “You shouldn’t have left me without saying goodbye.”
“You’re right,” he agreed, leading her away from the training center, toward the suites.
She stopped. “Wait, what did you say?”
Chuckling, he pulled her along. “I said you are right. And I’ve regretted it ever since I left you in Ames.” He stopped outside his suite, the same one he’d stayed in last time she was at ICE. He used the retina scanner to open the door and reached for her hand. “Know what else?” he asked, tugging her inside.
Michelle’s heart hammered as it sent a rush of sizzling passion through her blood. “No.”
He slid his arms around her waist and tugged her against his hard, masculine body. Oh yes, he felt like heaven. “I’ve missed you.”
Intoxicating relief swept through her. “I couldn’t bear life without you.”
With a flutter of his eyelashes, he gradually lowered his lips to hers, his kiss possessive, devouring, yet gentle and loving. His hands were everywhere as, together, they moved to the bedroom. “I want you, sweetheart.”
“I’m yours. Forever, okay?”
“Forever?” His voice cracked, but then he smiled, the biggest grin Michelle had ever seen. “The way you said it makes the word sound like angel’s bells.”
“I love you.” He unzipped her jumpsuit and slid it from her shoulders.
“I love you. I adore you.”
They made love three times. The first like panthers, fast and furious. The second exploring each other’s bodies. And the third slowly, like old lovers who had become one, feeling together, climaxing together, sharing in the joy of their love.
Satisfied and spent, Michelle rested on her side, laying in the cradle of Luke’s arm while she swirled her fingers through his chest hair. “I’m so happy.”
“Me, too.” He kissed her. “You are the sunshine in my life. Seeing you come through the sit room door confirmed it. You, Michelle Bradford, are exactly what I’ve been waiting for all these years.”