I was five minutes away from going thermonuclear. We’d been at the cabin for five days and had barely made any headway. Erin and I had just finished lunch when Zane had texted to tell me he needed to talk and would call in an hour. He wanted Erin present and was going to send some images for her to look at. I wanted her as far away from this as possible. She was still trying to put on a brave front, but each night when we got into bed, she begged me to hold her. Not that she had to ask, I wanted her tucked close. We’d only been sharing a bed for a little more than a week now, and I couldn’t imagine her anywhere else but next to me.

Last night when she’d asked me to make love to her, I’d gotten her off using my fingers and mouth again. Much to my cock’s dismay, I still hadn’t allowed her to touch me. At first, it was because I didn’t want to take advantage of her vulnerability. Now, it was because I wanted more. I had to know if it was me she wanted or if I was simply convenient. It would gut me if the only reason she wanted to be with me was because of some sort of hero worship. Not that I was a hero, but she did view me as the man that was keeping her alive.

She’d mentioned more than once, how she’d rather die than be kidnapped. I understood her fear, however, it killed me the choice was even on her radar. She should be out living her life, smiling, happy, carefree, and not thinking about lose-lose options.

“Ready?” I asked, sitting next to Erin on the couch.

“Yes,” she answered in the affirmative, but her shaky voice told me she was anything but.

I answered the phone, but before Zane could start I asked him to wait and muted the phone.

“You don’t have to do this,” I told her.

“Yes, I do.”

“You don’t. But more than that, you don’t have to pretend with me. I know you’re scared. And, sunshine, that’s okay. I hate watching you worry, but I really hate that you think you have to hide from me.”

“I just want to get this over with.”

“All right.”

Knowing I wasn’t going to get Erin to open up while I had Zane on hold and the images she needed to look at loomed over her head, I gave in.

“I’m back,” I told Zane.

“You logged in?”

“I am.”

Once I confirmed my computer was online and on Z Corps network, a picture of Erin and a man came onto the screen of my laptop.

“Do you know this man, Erin?” Zane asked.

“Yeah. That’s Hal Simpson. He’s a donor. I believe he’s an investment banker.”

“How long have you known him?”

Erin sat quietly for a moment, twisting her hands in her lap. Her knee was shaking, and her discomfort came off in waves.

“Um, I’d say, about a year. Maybe a little less. I’m trying to remember what event I first met him at, but there have been so many it’s hard to say.”

“Has he ever expressed interest in you?”

My irritation spiked at Zane’s inquiry, I didn’t like where this line of questioning was going.

“In me personally? I don’t think so. And if he was interested, he never did anything weird if that’s what you’re asking.”

“That’s exactly what I’m asking. Did he ever ask you out? Try and get you alone? Say or do something that made you uncomfortable? Ask too many questions about your dad?”

“No. He never asked me out. But now that you mention my dad, he never asked anything about him. Strange.”

“Why is that strange?” I asked.

“Because everyone always asks. And I mean, everyone. Some are more invasive than others. But since he’s become president there hasn’t been a single person, other than Liv, that hasn’t asked me something about him.”

I could believe that. People were inherently nosey. They wouldn’t be able to help themselves, they’d have to ask her something about her dad, even if it was small.

“It’s actually not so strange.” Garrett entered the conversation. The screen in front of us changed to a side-by-side picture. The right side was a professional portrait of Hal Simpson and the left was a cropped image of him from the charity event. “Hal Simpson is Henry Shultz, the man who is behind surveilling your apartment and the man who hired the men to kidnap you.”

Erin’s entire being shifted from unease to utter terror. I was happy the team couldn’t see us, not that I gave a fuck. I pulled Erin onto my lap. Fucking Garrett had to bring up the fact someone wanted to take her—her biggest fear.

“However, his name is not Hal Simpson; it’s actually Michael Greenwold. He works for the NSA.”

“Why would someone from the National Security Agency pretend to be someone else? And why would they want to hurt me?”

“Christ,” I muttered. “How far down the rabbit hole are we?” I asked the team.

“So far I’ll be shocked if we’ll ever find our way out. Greenwold is the head of an NSA counter-intelligence team. POTUS shut down the special collection service unit, code named Angel, when he found out a tech-specialist wrote a program to spy on the general population of US citizens. Millions of emails and phone calls were intercepted.”

“Found out? How did he find out?” I inquired.

“Tom’s not being forthcoming about how he received his intel. Nor he is telling us the full scope of the program. The only thing he’s willing to provide is that it was presented as a data-dump and back-up system for all intelligence gathered overseas. He’s aware there’s a shadow team working, mostly in the black, but it was his understanding the team was concentrating on cyber counter-intel and system security. They employ some of the most effective hackers in the world.”

“I take it Greenwold isn’t happy his collection service was dismantled.”

“You’d be correct. He’s asked for, and was denied, several meetings with Tom. He also tried going around him to the vice president to ask him to speak to Anderson.”

By the time Garrett had finished his brief my head was pounding. “The VP is a slimy prick. Did he talk to Tom?”

“Oh, yeah. VP Perkins tried several times to get the president to reinstate Angel, but he won’t budge on this. We all know how he feels about spying on his own people. They know they’re fighting a no-win situation. Unless—”

The vice president wasn’t Zane’s favorite person. Power had gone to Perkins’s head and he’d made questionable decisions over the years.

“They get their hands on Erin,” I provided.

“Correct. We have a team in place to bring in Greenwold. You have twenty-four hours until this is all over.” Zane was quiet for a moment before he continued, “Red is going black, zero contact for at least forty-eight hours. Gold Team will be on standby, Declan’s staying behind with them. Once we have Greenwold out of the country, Dec will be in contact.”

I wasn’t surprised Zane had given Declan Gold Team. He’ll make one hell of a team leader. The time he’d spent as a deep-cover agent had taught him a lot. But Dec had something the military, CIA, or the NSA couldn’t teach—good instincts. It sucked losing him as a member of the Red Team, however, he was restless, still beating back demons he didn’t want to share. Maybe this is what he needed to find the salvation he was after.

“Copy that.”

“Wolf’s team has been briefed. They’re ready if there’s a need. Everything straight there?”

Knowing that Wolf and other SEALs in the area had our backs made me a little less apprehensive about my team being out of the country.

“Five by five.”

“You two hold fast there and you’ll be home soon.”

“Roger.”

“Erin?” Zane called out.

“Yeah?”

“Your dad wanted me to tell you he’s proud of you. He also asked me to tell you he’s sorry.”

Erin bowed her head and closed her eyes, but not before a tear rolled down her cheek.

“Tell him I love him and I’m proud of him, too. He taught me to never give in to those who try and make you go against what you believe in. I’m proud my dad has stood by his convictions.”

“Will do. You two stay safe. Out.”

I closed the lid of the laptop and placed my cell phone on the table next to it before I settled back on the couch with Erin, still on my lap. I couldn’t begin to put into words how impressed I was with how she was handling everything. Not to mention, how very wrong I’d been about her, she was not even close to being the spoiled princess I’d thought her to be. She was strong and capable. Her courage and composure were remarkable.

“It’s almost over.” Instead of smiling like I thought she would she frowned, and her eyebrows drew together. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing. Everything. I don’t know.”

“Break it down. One problem at a time.”

“I’m scared. Really scared. And I’m afraid after this I always will be. Which makes me a total baby because Olivia was actually—”

“Don’t compare yourself to her. An imminent threat can be just as damaging as the act. Does that make sense?” Erin shook her head. “Yes, Olivia was held hostage and some bad shit happened to her. But it happened quickly. She didn’t know it was coming. You knowing someone is out there looking for you, waiting to grab you is almost worse. They’re terrorizing you. There is nowhere you can go to get away from the knowledge. But I promise you, when this is over, you’ll move on.”

“What happens when all of this is over?”

“What do you mean?”

“With us?”

Thank fuck, she asked. I’d been waiting to have this conversation but didn’t want to push her.

“We continue to take things slowly and figure out where we want this to go.”

“I don’t want slow.”

I had to smile at the vehemence of her statement.

“We need slow. I need to know you’re with me every step of the way. And you need time to make sure I’m who you really want. The real me, not the man hired to protect you.”

“I already know you are.”

“Then I need to know that.”

“Why? I’m telling you you are.”

I waited until she finished nervously shifting on my lap, and her eyes settled on mine. I’d learned a lot about Erin, most was a contradiction from what I’d thought in the beginning. I knew she was headstrong and smart. Independent and funny. All great qualities for a woman to have. But there was one thing that stood out the most. When the shit hit the fan, and we were in a life or death situation, she didn’t cower and hide. Even though she was frightened, she stood next to me, ready to help. Erin was strong and brave and had my back. She was willing to do what it took to save our lives including shooting out tires if necessary. Couple that with everything else, I knew she was the woman I wanted in my life in a very permanent way.

“Because, I’m falling in love with you. And before I’m ass over tea kettle, I have to know you’re with me.”

“I’m with you,” she whispered. “As a matter of fact, I’m a few steps ahead of you. But I’ll wait until you catch up.”

Sitting on the couch in Abe’s cabin in the middle of an op wasn’t the place I ever thought I’d admit to her I was falling in love. And it certainly wasn’t the place I thought I’d utter those words to a woman for the first time—ever. But it was where we were, and the woman sitting in front of me was, indeed, the first woman I’d ever said the word love to. There was no more denying that’s what I was feeling.

Some of her hair had fallen out of the clip she’d used. Reaching behind her, I released the rest of her hair, letting it cascade past her shoulders and down her back. I threw the plastic fastener onto the table and fisted a handful of her silky strands, pulling her lips to meet mine. Erin’s hips rocked over my hard-on and after the last few nights it wouldn’t take much to make me shoot off in my jeans. The friction was damn near painful as I tried to control the fast-building pressure.

“Erin.”

“I want to touch you.” She didn’t wait for my answer. Her hands were at the bottom of my shirt, yanking at it. I sat up, allowing her the freedom to pull it over my head. “Damn.”

Her hips stopped rubbing against me, but her hands roamed my chest and abs, giving me a small reprieve.

“Have I ever told you how sexy your chest is?”

I was no stranger to compliments on my body. Men and women alike had commented while I was at the gym. But hearing her say she liked what I looked like made my stomach tighten, and my heart constrict.

“Thanks, sunshine. Glad you approve.”

“I’d approve more if you’d let me take off your pants.”

Now, that made my cock twitch.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“What if I keep mine on?”

“Are you trying to bargain with me?” The corners of her lips tipped up, and I returned her smile. “God, you’re beautiful.”

“I’m not only beautiful but an excellent negotiator,” she teased.

“Is that so?”

“It is. I think it’s my turn. You’ve had the pleasure of having me at your mercy, and I’ve yet to get into your pants. Seems a little unfair.”

“My mercy, huh? Is that what you call me having you screaming in ecstasy?”

“It is.”

“I would hate for you to think I’m being unfair.”

“Well, that’s what I’m thinking right now. And the only way to rectify the unfairness is if you let me take your pants off.”

I couldn’t stop myself from laughing at her playful banter. There had been no other time in my life where humor had been a part of foreplay. But with Erin, her wit was just as much of a turn-on as her body. For the first time, I knew what it was to be attracted to a woman’s mind. She was the whole package.

“One condition,” I told her.

“What’s that?”

“That you understand just because I’ve given you multiple, fantastic, out of this world orgasms, doesn’t mean I expect anything in return.” I was trying to make light of the situation. But I wanted to be clear I wasn’t joking. “I told you, having you in my arms is more than enough for me.”

“Out of this world, huh?” She continued to smile. “Fantastic, you say?” she asked as her hands reached for the button of my jeans. “Why don’t we see what adjectives you can come up with after I’m done with you.”

She drew the zipper down, and my cock threatened to tear through the cotton of my boxer briefs. Her finger touched the wet spot on the fabric where pre-come had already seeped from my cock, climbed off my lap, and stood next to the couch.

“Take ’em off.”

Shit. This was really happening. I lifted my ass, and when my jeans and boxers were halfway down my legs she took over and impatiently ripped them the rest of the way off. I had no time to worry about my cock bobbing free when she stepped between my knees and lowered herself to the floor. I was going to protest, not wanting her kneeling on the hard wood when her hand wrapped around my cock and squeezed. The objection died now that I had bigger things to worry about, like how I was going to stop myself from coming in three seconds.

“Easy, baby,” I begged.

She removed her hand and I was both grateful and dejected I’d lost her touch.

“Oh, no you don’t.” I tried to stop her before she pulled her shirt over her head. “Your clothes stay on.” But it was too late, her bra came off next.

“I’ll keep my pants on.”

This was not a good idea. I wanted to go slowly. I didn’t want to make love to her in the middle of an op while emotions were running high. Even if I knew how I felt about her, I wanted her to be sure. And, at this point, it wouldn’t take much for me to be the one begging for her to let me fuck her. All it took was her small hand wrapping back around my cock and slowly gliding up and down to make me forget. I forgot everything: the op, all the reasons I wanted to wait, why I hadn’t let her touch me. Everything flew out of my mind as I focused on the feel of her.

“Is this okay?”

“Yes,” I croaked out.

Her hand sped up, and she paused on the tip to gather more of the liquid now freely leaking. My head fell back, and I was in a trance, with each stroke she brought me closer to the edge.

“So good, Erin. Faster.”

Her pace quickened, and my balls drew up. I’d known this was going to be the world’s fastest hand job but I hadn’t known it was going to be this quick.

“I’m there. Don’t stop.”

Her tongue swiped the head of my cock, and my eyes flew open in time to see her pull the tip into her mouth and suck while her hand worked my shaft.

“Holy fuck. I’m gonna come. Pull off now if you don’t want me to blow in your mouth.”

I cautioned her once, but there was no time for a second warning before the heat rose, and jets of come exploded from my cock into her warm, waiting mouth.

“Erin!” I shouted as the last of my orgasm waned.

Jesus Christ, I could barely hold my head up, it felt like every ounce of energy I’d had shot out of my cock, leaving me exhausted.

Erin pulled off and settled back on her knees and looked up at me with her big, brown eyes shining.

“Out of this world?” she asked, still slowing stroking my softening erection.

“Yes.”

“Fantastic?”

“Fuck, yes.”

“Wanna ’nother one?”

The playful smile of her face was a thing of beauty. A smile I wanted to see every day. A smile I wanted to be responsible for putting there for the rest of her life.

“I think it’s your turn.”

“I think you should teach me all about this sixty-nine position I’ve heard about.”

My dick jerked and instantly started to harden again at the thought of eating her out while she sucked me off.

“Let’s go.”

But neither of us made the effort to move. Our eyes stayed locked in the stare, the look conveying more emotion than words could. Yes, I was falling fast and hard for Erin. I was in for a world of heartache if, after we got home, she decided she didn’t feel the same way. I’d been lying to myself earlier when I’d told her I was falling in love. There was no more falling—I was already there.