Neither of her parents had seemed shocked when she’d broken the news about the major change in their relationship. Her father had glowered at first, but later that night he’d been the one to casually say he’d gone to turn the heat on in Jordyn’s room so they wouldn’t be too cold in there overnight. She knew they both approved of them being together.
“Smells good in here,” Blake commented, his gold-hazel eyes locking on Jordyn’s.
“It should. She’s been cooking for two days for this,” she said dryly as her father stepped over the threshold.
Her mother shot her an annoyed look and ushered everyone into the dining room. They joined hands across the table and bowed their heads to say grace, the way they always had, but this time Blake stroked his thumb softly across the back of her knuckles. A tiny caress to let her know how special she was to him. Such a simple touch shouldn’t light her up inside, but it did.
In a few days they’d be going back to Baltimore together. Blake was still part of the Titanium team and she’d officially been hired to do consulting work for them. Alex, Evers, Hunter and Gage were still in Pakistan while Hassani’s initial interrogations took place, which probably weren’t going very well. Zahra and Dunphy were still at the hospital and there’d been no change in his status yet. Claire would be arriving in Baltimore tonight.
Given how beat up Blake was, Alex had sent him home to recharge for a few days before reporting back at NSA headquarters. Having him all to herself was an unexpected gift, and one she greatly appreciated. He was finally hers and she wasn’t letting him go.
After dinner Blake helped clear the table over her mother’s protests. He stood at the sink and dried all the dishes as Jordyn washed them. He helped her put everything away, comfortable and at home here, and when she was wiping the counters down he came up behind her to slide his arms around her waist.
He drew her back against the warmth of his solid frame and bent to brush a kiss against the side of her neck. She shivered and let the cloth drop, closing her eyes to better enjoy the feel of his lips and tongue on her skin.
“Come for a ride with me,” he whispered, his warm breath caressing her.
She tipped her head back to look at him. “A ride?”
“Yeah. On the ATVs.”
She blinked. “Now?” It was almost nine and pitch dark outside.
“Mmm, now. Come on.” He tugged her until she followed him to the door. They bundled up in heavy jackets, knit caps and gloves and headed out into the cold October air. The scent of damp leaves and earth rose up as they crossed the yard to where the ATVs were parked beside the shed out back.
Blake climbed on one, threw her a grin and fired his up. Momentarily distracted by the sight of his ass framed in those snug jeans as he sat on the seat, she got hers running and followed him out past the creek to the trail that led up the mountain. A half moon shone overhead, illuminating the silver sheen of frost on the ground that made the grass and leaves sparkle like they’d been covered in fairy dust.
They rode up the mountain together, something they’d done dozens of times over the years with Jamie. A crisp, cold breeze ruffled the branches, racing across her cheeks like an icy kiss. Blake drove to the lookout point where the forest gave way to a bare cliff, and killed his engine. Jordyn pulled up beside him and did the same. In the sudden quiet she could hear the sigh of the wind and the faint hoot of an owl in the trees behind them.
“Still something, isn’t it?” Blake asked as he took in the view.
It was. Below them the creek glinted in the moonlight as it rushed down the valley. Nestled in amongst the patchwork of fields and forest, the town lay nestled in the center, its twinkling lights glowing invitingly. The scene looked like something straight out of a postcard.
Blake got off his ATV and crossed over to swing a long leg over the back of her seat. An instant later his warmth settled against her back, those wonderfully strong arms coming around to envelop her. She laid her head against his shoulder with a happy sigh, enjoying the rightness of being with him in this peaceful place. They belonged together and always had, something she’d known deep inside all this time. She was grateful he finally knew it too.
“I love you,” she whispered, her heart so full it ached.
His arms tightened, his lips brushing against her cheek. “Love you too.” He was a man of few words, so she knew these ones didn’t come lightly. It filled her with pride that he loved her enough to say them.
He shifted slightly, tugged off his gloves and set them in her lap. “Got something for you.” When he eased his upper body away she turned slightly in the seat to look at him. He reached behind his neck, lifted something over his head, then held it up for her to see.
The hollow point round glinted in the moonlight.
Stunned, her gaze flew to his. “I can’t take your HOG’s Tooth.”
“Yes you can.” He slipped it over her head and adjusted the length so the tip of the bullet rested just below the notch between her collar bones.
“Blake,” she protested, “you know it’s bad luck. You’re never supposed to take it off you–”
“Relax, angel, I don’t think I’m in any danger of a sniper round getting me tonight.”
She blinked. “What?” The man wasn’t making any sense.
He smiled, his teeth shining white against his darker skin, and reached up to cradle the side of her face in his hand. “I talked to your dad today.”
She frowned. “I know. You guys were at the pub all afternoon.”
“No, Jordyn.” His eyes were full of laughter. “I mean I
talked
to him.” He lifted his eyebrows in a
hello-you-got-me-yet
look.
His meaning hit home.
Oh…
She didn’t know what to say. Her heart was pounding and her mouth was suddenly dry. And it wasn’t the cold sting of the breeze that was making her eyes tear up. “And you… What did he say?”
“That I’d better do right by you. Then he shook my hand and said he’d always hoped you and I would wind up together.”
Oh, dammit, she was going to cry. Full-on harsh, ugly cry right in front of him. She could feel the pressure of the sobs sticking in her chest. She swallowed. “Blake…”
“It took me long enough to get my head out of my ass, so I’m not waiting another damn day. I know what I want, and that’s you. You’re it for me, Jordyn.” He wrapped his fingers around hers where they clutched the HOG’s Tooth tightly, and gazed deep into her eyes. “So wear this for me tonight. In the morning we’ll go pick out a ring. We can figure out the details about everything else later, but tonight when I’m lying next to you in that bed, I want to see this on you and nothing else and know you’re mine forever.”
His impassioned words left her speechless. She could see them so clearly, lying naked in her bed together, the HOG’s Tooth nestled between her bare breasts. She could picture the male satisfaction and hunger on his face as he drank in the sight of his most sacred symbol resting against her skin while he made love to her. Marking her as his.
She swallowed thickly even as she shivered in anticipation. The tears were there, so many she couldn’t contain them. A few spilled down her cheeks even as she smiled and gave a watery laugh. He’d always been her dream. Now they could live it together.
She flung her arms around his neck and hugged him tight, still smiling as her tears wet his skin. “
Yes
.”
The End
Titanium Security Series
(romantic suspense)
Ignited
Singed
Burned
Extinguished
Bagram Special Ops Series
(military romantic suspense)
Deadly Descent
Tactical Strike
Lethal Pursuit
Suspense Series
(romantic suspense)
Out of Her League
Cover of Darkness
No Turning Back
Relentless
Absolution
Empowered Series
(paranormal romance)
Darkest Caress
Historical Romance
The Vacant Chair
Another shout out to my support team, Katie Reus and my hubby Todd. Also to Julieanne Reeves and JRT Editing, for helping me make this story shine.
USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and sons. You can visit Kaylea at
www.kayleacross.com