SATURDAY. AEGIS GROUP Safe House, Seattle, Washington.

Kyle strode into the office keenly aware of the squeak that meant Bethany was returning to the girl’s den and not joining him in the living room. It was probably for the best. If she was out here he’d be focused on her and not the job at hand. His priorities were all fucked up.

Shane glanced up at him.

“Sorry to interrupt,” he said.

“Don’t worry about it. You want me to do the patrol, or do you want to get up and stretch?”

“I’d like to stretch and have a look. Ian, Ryan and Vito are in position and settled in for the night. They’ll rotate out a little after two so we aren’t all shifting at the same time.”

“Good call.” It was the kind of thing Kyle should have told Shane to do if he were in his right mind. “Hey, when are you sending out final details about the wedding? I was hoping I could use frequent flier miles.”

“Fuck.” Shane scrubbed his hand across his face. “This week, I hope.”

“Having regrets?”

“Hell no. Planning a destination wedding is a pain in the ass. We should have stuck with the idea of doing the wedding on one trip and the migratory assistance on another. Combining the two... I’m going to need a lot to drink.”

Kyle chuckled and stared at the desk.

Shane and his fiancé, Lacey, had met during an op in Jamaica. The Alpha Team had been sent to rescue a pair of newlyweds and there was Lacey. She’d helped them and in turn they’d helped her. When Shane and Lacey had taken up after returning to the states no one had been more surprised than Kyle. The pair were utter opposites and completely in love.

“May I ask you a personal question?” Kyle braced his hand on the door.

“Sure,” Shane said slowly.

“How do you do it? The job with her there?” Kyle remembered the op, but he’d been focused on everything besides the budding couple.

“Honestly I don’t know. I wanted to rip my hair out every minute of the day with Lacey around. You should ask Isaac.” Shane pulled a baseball cap low on his face. It had begun to drizzle, spelling the end of this pleasant, sunny spell.

Kyle circled the desk to take up the post at the monitors.

Shane was right. Of the guys on their team, Isaac was the one who’d held the title of ladies man until recently. There was a time when, if they had a female asset, Kyle knew who’d be with them. But not anymore.

Everything was changing.

He knew more was coming.

Both Shane and Adam were not long for this team. Their lives were headed in new directions even if they didn’t know where yet. Felix and Isaac were more likely to stick around, but for how long?

The simple facts were the teams had a high turnover rate. What they did took a toll, not just on the body but on the man. Kyle had been satisfied with this life because it kept him moving. He was always on the road, always doing something to improve someone else’s life. The dangerous jobs weren’t for everyone, but they suited Kyle.

Why?

Was it because when he’d first gone off to join the Navy he’d done it to protect people? To defend people who couldn’t defend themselves? Was that still who he was? All this time, was he overcompensating for what his father did to him? If he protected enough people, would he undo all the wrongs his father had done?

There were times, especially over the last year, when he felt like his father. Sometimes the old man just made him so angry. He’d never acted on that anger. It would come on strong, he’d see red, and that was it. Fear slammed into him so fast he’d get whiplash.

He didn’t want to be like his dad.

Deep down though, he was afraid he’d turn out just like his old man.

It was a new fear. He’d always said he would be nothing like Dad, and then they’d had to live together. That first time Dad pissed him off Kyle had felt the first urge to do harm. To hurt his dad, to make him see what it felt like.

That was the root of it all.

Kyle sat back in the office chair and stared at the monitors.

Shane strolled along the sidewalk, a flashlight gleaming off the wet pavement.

It would be easy to just shove all this in the back of his mind and continue on as he’d been doing for his thirty-five years on this planet.

Except then there was Bethany.

He liked her.

It was impossible to not be drawn in by her. Maybe it was that natural caregiver aura of hers or something else.

Truth was, Kyle didn’t have to arrive at any sort of an answer tonight. He wasn’t in a rush and Bethany had six more months of her self-imposed single status. Nothing had to happen now. He wasn’t going to unfuck a lifetime of screwed up shit overnight. And who knew? In six months he and Bethany might not want anything to do with each other.

Kyle tabbed through the cameras again.

The back yard was a little too dim for his liking. Perhaps they could set up another security light toward the back near the fence to improve visibility. For now he’d have to keep a close eye on those screens. While he doubted they’d been followed he couldn’t be certain about anything.

Shane returned to take over watching the feeds. Kyle set up in the living room with his laptop to knock out paperwork and check in with the FBI team. Jade had already emailed him to let him know she’d received the files and was reviewing them. How that woman read so fast was beyond him.

By the time midnight rolled around the house was quiet and nothing stirred out on the street. Kyle did another patrol to put eyes on their surroundings.

Tonight wasn’t his biggest concern.

Tomorrow was.

When the world woke up and Elijah Hunt decided to open his mouth that was when they’d get a curveball thrown at them. Kyle knew it was coming. The days to come were what worried him.

For the last hour of their shift Kyle joined Shane in the office. They didn’t encourage hanging out during this time because talking meant distractions, but it was a quiet night and what the hell? Shane had been on medical leave for almost two months. Kyle was glad to have him back.

“Are the assets awake or is that their TV?” Shane asked.

“That’s the sound of House Hunters, so I’m willing to bet they’re asleep with the TV on.”

“House Hunters?” Shane frowned at him.

Kyle pulled out his phone and ignored the question. He’d poured over design magazines and shows when picking the finishes for his house. If that was the kind of thing his potential buyers would want, he’d have it.

“I’m surprised Zain let you back so soon,” Shane said when Kyle continued to ignore his previous question.

“Didn’t really give him a choice.”

“Are you and Bethany...?”

Kyle stared over his phone at the other man.

What the hell was he asking?

“Are we...?” Kyle asked.

“Together?”

Kyle opened his mouth and shut it.

“No,” he replied.

“Oh. Zain said—I just assumed...”

“She was my father’s hospice nurse. We’re...friends.”

Friends wasn’t the right term. Before a few days ago they’d hardly spoken besides that last time she came by to check on him. The way they’d left things before the missing roommate was on uncertain territory.

“Sorry, I just thought earlier you asked—”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Because all Kyle was going to do was think it to death. Why should anyone else? Except they were all going to share very close quarters for a while. Whenever one of the guys took up with an asset, they didn’t exactly have a conversation about it, but there was a shift in responsibility. Just because he was Team Leader didn’t mean the rules were different.

“Actually...” Kyle put his phone down. “Maybe Bethany and I aren’t exactly friends.”

“Hey, it’s none of my business.” Shane held up his hands. A beep sounded on the desk. “Two o'clock.”

No sooner had Shane uttered the time than a long, slow creak sounded through the house followed by another one.

“The zombies are up.” Kyle pushed to his feet.

It was late and the stress of the day was wearing on him. A little time horizontal, sleeping if he could, would be good for him.

Isaac and Felix shambled into the office. They sorted out the duties for the next six hours before Isaac and Shane headed down the hall to their respective rooms. It was nice that they’d booked a place with plenty of beds so that there wouldn’t have to be any sharing.

“Hey, what are you still doing up?” Shane whispered into his phone.

Kyle shook his head. 

That was still the match that mystified him the most, but he couldn’t doubt that Shane was a more relaxed guy what with Lacey in his life. Hell, even Isaac wasn’t as big of a pain in his ass with Tanya in the picture.

He pushed the recently vacated bedroom door open.

Whoever had slept here first hadn’t pulled the comforter down. Instead the throw blanket was spread out, leaving everything else untouched.

Had to be Isaac. Always ready to jump up and go.

Kyle crossed to the dresser where his bag of personal belongings sat and pulled out his comm. The thing made his ear itch like crazy if he wore it for too long. He could do with a shower and shave soon, but sleep first.

The door squeaked, probably Isaac come back for something. Someone should really oil those hinges.

“Hey, Isaac—”

Small hands slid around his waist.

“Not Isaac,” Bethany said.

BETHANY HUGGED KYLE’S back to her front.

She’d heard the guys talking and poked her head out in time to see Kyle slip into the bedroom. It was after two, which meant his time was now his own. Earlier, she hadn’t wanted to pause their conversation much less carry it on with an audience. She’d retreated to her corner in frustration to wait him out, and now here they were.

His hands covered hers and he peered over his shoulder at her.

“I thought you were asleep,” he said.

“Nope. We were watching House Hunters.”

“I heard. New episode or rerun?”

“Reruns.”

She pressed her cheek to his shoulder. This was not a simple situation even though she wished it were.

Faith and Megan had made their opinions regarding Kyle clear. They were in full support of all things except dating, and even then Bethany was pretty certain that was only to give her hell. Still, Bethany had regained much of her equilibrium over the last few months. Deep down she didn’t think we were ready for more, but that could also be fear talking.

“Something wrong?” Kyle turned until he faced her.

“Nothing that has to be figured out right now. Just...girl stuff.”

“Okay, well, I’m here if you.”

“You are. And so am I.”

She lifted up on tip toes and kissed him, a quick peck. Or that was what she meant it to be.

Kyle’s arms tightened around her, holding her there. His head tilted to one side, and he slid his lips over hers, teasing her tongue.

She sighed and held onto his shoulders, letting all the feel good emotions wipe away the stress of the day.

He released her and eased her back down to the floor.

“That was it. Good-night kiss,” she whispered, gazing up at him.

“It is a good night.” He didn’t let her go, and she didn’t try to pull away from him. He smiled so rarely, the sight of it was worth sticking around for.

Kyle’s gaze lowered to her mouth. She held her breath and felt the pull of desire deep in her belly. She leaned toward him, sliding her hands back around his neck. He dipped his head and kissed her again, bending her backward slightly. She chuckled and her head spun.

Last night wasn’t the wine’s fault.

Someone cleared their throat in the hall.

Shit.

Kyle’s head snapped up and Bethany buried her face against his chest, as though she could hide there.

“What is it, Isaac?” Kyle asked.

“I, um, left my phone in here. Don’t mind me.”

Bethany peered between her fingers at the man with a wide grin. He scooped a phone out from under the pillows then gave Kyle a little salute before exiting the room and shutting the door behind him.

“Oh my God.” She chuckled because she had to and closed her eyes.

“Don’t mind him. He’s an asshole, but the good kind.”

“There are good assholes?”

“Everyone’s an asshole sometimes.”

“Point taken.” She took a step back. Even without him pressed up against her she was too hot now. “So, um, I’ll just go now.”

“Don’t go.” Kyle reached out and grasped her hand.

The way he stared at her seemed to make the whole world stop.

Her mouth dried up.

She wanted to do anything to make him smile again.

She was caught in the same spell as last night, the one that made her want to climb him like a tree.

“You were right about a lot of things,” he said. “I don’t have answers for how to fix things—me—but, it’s a start. And again, I’m sorry.”

Bethany shook her head.

“What?” His hold on her tightened.

“It’s just—I’m not used to being apologized to. Even when I’m right, I’m wrong.” She ducked her head.

“Hey, he is an asshole. You do deserve better than that guy.” Kyle pressed his forehead to hers.

“I know. Or at least that’s what I keep telling myself, you know?”

“Yeah. I do. I’m sorry but I’m going to kiss you again.” His lips spread into a smile once more. That look of happiness on his face did things to her.

Bethany grinned as he reeled her in closer.

How could he ever think such horrible things about himself? Didn’t he know he wasn’t that kind of person?

She knew it from just watching him.

Kyle slid his arms down around her hips and lifted her up off her feet. She gasped, and he sealed his lips over hers, muting the noise.

“Sh,” he whispered and set her on the dresser. “You’re so jumpy.”

“Gee, I wonder why?” She was far more breathless from a little kiss than she should be.

“I have no idea.” He tugged her shirt to the side and kissed her shoulder.

Her toes curled, and she shivered at the sensation of his mouth on her. She closed her eyes and gave in to it. Intimacy was different with Kyle. He made her feel desired. He encouraged her initiative. There was nothing but goodness here.

He slid his hands around to cup her ass and planted a kiss on the end of her nose.

“I should let you get to bed.” Kyle didn’t move and the way he stared at her it was easy to guess he didn’t want her to leave.

“Which bed are we talking about? Yours or the one I’d be sharing with Megan and Faith?”

“Now that you mention it, mine has more room...”

“Is that an invitation?”

“Do you want it to be?”

“I asked you first.” She poked his chest.

Kyle paused, the heat in his stare cooling a bit.

“What?” Bethany frowned. Had she said the wrong thing?

“I’m having problems figuring out what I should do, how I should act. It’s always been the other guys who got involved with assets.” His frown returned. “I’m the TL. I’ve always told myself that means the rules for me are different.”

“So I go sleep with the girls. No big deal.” She swallowed down her disappointment. So much for the condom Faith had given her earlier.

“But I don’t want you to go.” He leaned against her.

“Then what do we do?” she asked.

“I don’t know.”

“I don’t want to get you in trouble...” That was an option she hadn’t considered until now.

“You won’t,” he said so fast there was no doubt about it.

Kyle stared down at her. There was a little wrinkle between his brows that was new. She didn’t entirely like it, mostly because she didn’t know what it meant.

“Stay?” he whispered.

“Okay.” She searched his eyes looking for some greater understanding of what was going on in his head.

“Shit.” He closed his eyes. “Maybe this isn’t a good idea.”

“Why?”

“Because... Because I’m going to tell myself I have every intention of keeping my hands to myself and I don’t think I can.”

“What if I told you I have no plans to keep my hands to myself?” There was something freeing about being with Kyle. She didn’t have to be nervous or wonder if she was doing the right thing with him.

“I did not come prepared for that.” He hung his head forward.

“Prepared? As in condoms?” She reached into her pocket and pulled out the foil packet. “Faith makes us all promise to keep one with us. It’s one of the house rules.”

“What would I do without you?” Kyle chuckled and took the packet from her. He placed it on the dresser next to her hip then wrapped his arms back around her.

“Sleep more?”

“I’m serious. From the moment you walked into my life, everything has been better.” There was an openness, a vulnerability to the way he looked at her now. He really meant that.

Bethany swallowed, or tried to, but her emotions were lodged in her throat.

This thing with Kyle ran deep. She could see her feelings reflected back in his eyes.

He leaned in and killed her lips while his fingers slid under her shirt. His hands splayed against her sides, holding her there. She grabbed a handful of his shirt and pulled up.

Kyle stepped back and pulled the shirt up over his head. Bethany scooted off the dresser to stand on rubbery legs. He tossed his shirt on the ground and reached for her, placing his hand against her side. She reached down and grabbed the hem of her shirt, whisking it up over her head.

He hooked his finger in the deep plunge of her bra. She leaned toward him, their mouths meeting in a hungry kiss. Kyle shoved his hands down her hips, taking her pajamas and panties along for the ride. Gravity did the rest. She kicked out of the clothing to the sound of Kyle’s belt jangling.

There was a need driving her, not unlike last night. Her head spun and her whole focus was once more on him.

Kyle broke the kiss to yank at his bootlaces. He cursed and kicked off one boot, then the other. She chuckled and stepped back as he shoved his jeans down. He lifted his head and everything else seemed to stop.

Whatever this was they’d discovered, it was unique. And she wanted to be in it.

Time rushed to catch up. Kyle took a step, wrapped his arms around her and lifted her up. He turned, planting her back against the wall with nothing but his hands and body keeping her there.

“Kyle...”

“Too much?” His fingers pressed into her skin to the point she could almost count them individually.

“No.” She looped her arms around his neck.

Bethany had never felt this desired. She wanted every minute he’d give her, because who knew how long this would last?

He lifted her as though it were no effort at all.

His cock pressed against her ass. She shifted her hips, his length sliding against her. He reached around and held his erection, guiding it.

“Look at me,” he said.

She leaned her head against the wall and met his gaze.

He didn’t stare back at her with lust. There was more in it, but she didn’t have names for them.

Kyle grunted, and she gasped as he penetrated her body. It was different than before. Now, she couldn’t look away from him. The hunger in his eyes had goose bumps breaking out on her arms and legs, even as heat swept her body. She wrapped her calves around him and their bodies fit together completely.

“God, Beth.” He buried his face in the crook of her neck, his breath tickling her.

He moved, lifting her with a strength she hadn’t really appreciated yet. His cock slid out, only for him to thrust. The air left her lungs and all she could do was hold on to his shoulders.

She clutched him and tipped her head back, closing her eyes.

There was no room for doubts, only pleasure and this feeling of completion. It was as though a link connected them. She felt his quivering muscles, the depth of his desire.

Bethany hadn’t wanted someone—needed them—like this ever. This thing with Kyle, it was like she’d hidden herself from others until he was there. If she believed in fate, she’d call this spark predestination.

Kyle kissed her neck then her cheek. She turned her face and found his lips with hers. Sweat dampened her body while the wall was cool at her back.

He thrust harder and her breath caught and her eyes snapped open. An electric lick of sensation shot up her spine. She undulated her hips until she found the right rhythm with him, each joining of their bodies stimulating her nerves in a way that robbed her of her senses.

“K-Kyle—oh...”

Bethany slapped her hand against the wall as though she could brace herself for the onslaught of sensation. She held onto his shoulder, her vision going blurry. The orgasm began deep within her, unraveling her insides, forcing her apart until she felt as though she were floating. She heard Kyle’s grunt and felt him clench her body, but she was lost to rational thought.

She wasn’t entirely there when Kyle sat her on the edge of the bed and tugged her shirt on over her head.

“Are you okay?” He cupped her chin and tilted her head up.

“Still catching my breath,” she said.

“You want to use the bathroom first?”

“Oh. That would be a good idea.” She clutched the comforter.

“You could wait a moment.” He crouched in front of her.

“If I wait, I’m going to pass out.” With Megan back and them safe, all that tension was gone. She was spent, completely and totally.

Kyle grabbed the rest of her clothes and helped her into them.

“I’ll only be a sec.”

Bethany shambled out into the hall.

The sound of voices reminded her they weren’t alone. Not by a long shot.

That snapped her back to reality.

She darted into the bathroom and rushed through her nightly routine before returning to the bedroom. Kyle gave her a peck on the lips in passing on his way out the door.

Bethany took her bra off and climbed in bed. Whatever came next they’d figure it out. She had to believe that this was special..

She was too tired to bother with the lights. She threw her arm over her face and pulled the sheet up under her chin. Funny things were happening in her chest. She flattened her other hand over her ribs. Her heart felt as though it were clinging to her ribs, trying to get closer to Kyle. And why shouldn’t it?

Every guy she’d ever been intimate with had fallen short of Kyle’s stellar example.

Then again, her guy picker was clearly broken.

The door creaked open and shut.

She held her breath.

“I’m turning the lights off,” he said.

This was what they were doing.

At least Faith had told her not to come back to the master suite tonight so that was covered.

The overhead light flipped off, and she listened to Kyle pad across the floor. She blinked at the shadows but couldn’t make him out. The bed dipped, and he sighed, stretching out next to her.

This was happening.

They were friends who were attracted to each other and slept together, among other things. But they were not dating.

She could do this.

People did these things all the time, right?

Kyle’s hand patted the bed between them until he found her. He splayed his hand on her stomach.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah. Why?”

“You’re quiet.”

“I thought we were sleeping?”

“Come here.”

Kyle slid his arm under her neck, giving her no choice but to roll toward him. She put her head on his shoulder and splayed her hand on his chest. The way they fit together was nice. There was something about his quiet strength that comforted her rather than scared her.

“Is this okay?” he asked.

“Yes.”

“I mean—this, us, this.”

“Oh. Well, yes, I guess.”

“We can slow down. Six months, remember?” He picked her hand up off his chest and kissed her knuckles.

She swallowed. Was her resolve to stick to that silly?

“I’ll tell the guys to keep their comments to themselves. They can joke sometimes.”

“Don’t do that. It’s fine. I imagine they aren’t going to say anything Faith hasn’t already.”

“She’s a ball buster, isn’t she?”

“Faith? Yeah, kind of. She’s the one who encouraged me to start dating, disastrous as it was.”

“Good friends make you better is what my mom used to say.” Kyle chuckled.

“What was she like? If you don’t mind me asking?”

“Nah. My mom was great. She was a Vietnam nurse. That’s where Mom and Dad met. She lost her arm right at the end, and Dad still married her. I think he really did love her.”

“I was always a daddy’s girl. Did I tell you he and I used to bike?”

“No.” Kyle tightened his arm around her.

“Yeah. Mom’s allergies were too bad and my little sister was a super girly girl. They’d bake while Dad and I went riding.” Bethany swallowed and tried to ignore the old ache. When Dad had picked Anthony over her that was what did her in.

“Maybe we should do that sometime? Go for a ride?”

“I’d like that. Then maybe watch HGTV and figure out what you’re going to do with the garage?”

“Sounds like the perfect friends not on a date day.”

The next six months were going to be hell, but Bethany would enjoy it.