Chapter Nine
E
mily awoke to the smell of coffee. That was different. Usually, she stumbled her way into the kitchen half asleep to make the first pot of the day. But today was different.
Today was the day after the night before. The night before where she’d slept with Sam.
She stretched, feeling sore in all the right places, bringing back memories of their night together. After a moment of luxuriating in those wicked memories, her brain switched into full gear.
The smell of coffee meant that Sam was still here. That was a good sign. Wasn’t it? Would things be awkward between them now or easier? Had last night been as earth-shattering for him as it had been for her?
Somehow she doubted it. Not a guy with a body like a Greek god come down from Mount Olympus, and skills in bed she hadn’t even realized were possible. No. Sam Archer was in a different class entirely from the kind of men she usually got involved with—the kind of men who were interested in her.
Sam was here because of his job. Maybe yesterday’s seduction had been all about keeping her close and lulling her into blindly trusting him. Maybe it had been about making her fall in love with him.
She sat up in bed, clutching the rumpled sheet to her chest as realization hit.
If that had been his plan, he’d succeeded beyond his wildest dreams. Finding out he was on the right side of the law had broken through the final barrier, allowing her heart the freedom to attach itself to him. She was very much afraid she was starting to love him.
What a mess.
“I made breakfast if you’re interested.” Sam’s voice came to her from her open bedroom door.
Their eyes met and she was touched by the soft, almost relaxed expression on his face. This was the first time she’d seen him this way and it gave her a little thrill to realize she was probably a large part of the reason why he was so relaxed this morning.
“What? No breakfast in bed?” She decided to keep their interaction light hearted. The heavy stuff could come later—if there was a
later
for them as a couple.
“You know, I considered it, but then I looked at the clock and realized that if I climbed back in that bed with you, neither one of us would ever make it to work today. We’re running a tight schedule as it is.”
“What time is it?” Her eyes widened when she caught sight of her bedside clock. He was right. They really did need to get going if they were going to make their charter.
He laughed as she scrambled out of bed. “I already grabbed a shower. Breakfast will be waiting when you get out.”
She noticed then that he was freshly shaven and wearing his pilot’s uniform. He’d come prepared. She’d ask him about that over breakfast. For now, she had to hustle if she was going to shower and dress and still have time to eat. They had a big day ahead of them.
When Emily arrived in the kitchen a few minutes later, she looked good enough to eat. Sam had enjoyed nibbling on her the night before but it had only seeded a hunger that grew the more he was around her. She could easily become addictive.
“You happened to have a spare uniform with you?” she asked as she sat at the table. He liked her straightforward style. There was no messing around. No beating around the bush with Emily, unlike the other women he’d been involved with over the years. She was a refreshing change.
“I always keep a change of clothes in my trunk. Several, in fact. I’ve got camo gear, black fatigues for night work, gym clothes, and since coming here, a spare uniform. I like to be prepared.”
“What are you, a Boy Scout?” she joked, seeming to relax at his answer.
“Weren’t you listening? I’m something even better—a Green Beret officer. We wrote the book on being prepared.”
She chuckled, digging into the eggs and toast he’d made. It wasn’t fancy, but it was hearty and decently cooked. He was good with breakfast foods and grilling but anything fancier and he was lost.
“Look, Em, I didn’t plan last night. I’m not saying I didn’t think about it. A lot. But I didn’t plan for it to happen the way it did, where it did, or when it did. But I’m sure glad it did.”
She burst into laughter. Here he was, trying to be serious and reassuring and she was laughing.
“Sorry.” She must’ve seen by his expression that he hadn’t been joking. “You just sounded—” She stopped herself midsentence. “Never mind. I’m glad to learn you aren’t that calculating when it comes to seduction. I admit, I was wondering if you’d been playing me. I wouldn’t like that, Sam. I know we’ve been thrown together by circumstance and it’s true I’ve been drawn to you from the moment I first saw you.” A becoming flush of rose entered her cheeks at the admission. “I know this situation is one in a million. I just don’t want to be played.”
“I respect that. And I wouldn’t do that, Em. Please believe that.”
Her expression changed and a small smile lifted the corner of her mouth as she looked at him with her head tilted to one side.
“I believe I do.” She stood from the table and took the plates to the sink, leaving them there for later. “Thanks for making breakfast. We’ve got to get moving if we want to make it to work on time.”
“I thought being the owner, you had more leeway than other pilots?” He wasn’t arguing, merely teasing her as they gathered what they’d need and headed for the door.
“I do. But clients are clients and when they want a flight at a certain hour, it has to go at that time.”
“Poor boss lady. Slave to the clock.” He laughed with her as she locked the door behind them and they headed for his car. Her car was already at the airport from when Henry had driven himself there the day before.
He unlocked the door to the big SUV for her and waited while she got in, closing the door behind her. Then he got in on the driver’s side. He started the vehicle and headed for the airport, watching his mirrors closely for the first few blocks.
When he had to stop for a red light, he turned to Emily, gently reaching to cup the nape of her neck in one hand and pulled her close for a deep kiss. He only surfaced when the car behind them honked, indicating the light had turned green and he’d been too lost in kissing Emily to notice.
Damn. He had it bad.
He got the vehicle going again and cleared his throat, trying to rein in his raging hormones.
“I was wondering when you’d get around to a good morning kiss,” Emily quipped as the silence lengthened.
“To be honest, I knew if I kissed you back at your place, we’d never leave. As it was, I lost track of the passage of time. You make me forget everything when I kiss you, Em.”
And now he was getting sappy. He’d never spoken such things to a woman before. Of course, he’d never felt such things. Emily confused him. Or rather, his emotional turmoil where she was concerned confused him. But one thing was perfectly clear after their night together—making love to her could make him forget everything. Mission, duty, and danger be damned. When they were together, nothing else could penetrate the state of bliss she created.
He knew without having to think too hard about it that only Emily had this effect on him. She was special. Special, and very dangerous to him on a personal level. She was the kind of woman a man gave up everything to be with. Sam wasn’t so sure he was ready for the commitment. He wasn’t sure if he was capable of it.
There was the added uncertainty of his medical state. The serum he’d been given to save his life had changed him on a fundamental level. He had more in common with a comic book superhero now than he did a regular human being. He healed super fast. He doubted anything short of decapitation would kill him now, though he didn’t want to test it. He wasn’t completely invulnerable, but it was a close thing, or so he’d been told by the docs who had worked on him.
He should have been dead from the zombie contagion long ago but he’d been saved. And changed. He wasn’t sure what the future held for him medically. The stuff they’d used to save his life was highly experimental and long term effects were totally unknown. So he didn’t know if he really
had
a future anymore.
He’d have to be satisfied with whatever Emily would give him here and now. He couldn’t think of the impossibility of a future with her . . . or worse, without her. Wanting to be with her after this mission was over had quickly become a strong desire. But he wasn’t fool enough to actually believe it could happen.
For one thing, Emily was a lady through and through. A smart woman with resources of her own. She didn’t need a run down soldier like him. She could have any man. He hoped she’d choose to be with him for a while at least but he wasn’t fool enough to think she’d want him for anything long term. She’d marry a doctor or a lawyer and settle down in the ’burbs. The life of a soldier’s wife was too rough for her.
“You have hidden depths, Sam Archer. I didn’t know you were such a smooth talker.” The light in her eyes warmed him as he met her gaze.
“You bring out the long buried gentleman in me, Emily. I’m not usually known for my language skills.” He had to laugh at himself because that statement was nothing but the truth.
“I find that hard to believe.”
“Believe it. I once went a week without speaking a single word to anyone. Not on purpose. It just happened. I only realized it when I started to say something and felt my throat didn’t really want to cooperate. I was hoarse from not talking for so long.”
“Were you on vacation?”
“That’s the amazing part. I was working. Back then I was only a green second lieutenant, fresh out of school. I did a lot more following of orders than giving them and all that was required of me was a salute and the completion of the assigned task.”
They arrived at the airport and parked near the Praxis Air hangar. In fact, Sam was able to park in the space right next to Emily’s car.
Sam spotted Buddy standing in the doorway, wiping his hands on a dirty rag. There was no doubt the old man saw them arriving together in Sam’s SUV. From the pointed look Buddy gave him, Sam knew there would be words between himself and Emily’s self-appointed protector later.
“Crap.”
The unladylike word from Emily’s lips made Sam grin. She’d noticed Buddy watching them.
“I guess I should have asked this before, but do you mind if people at work know we’re together?” Sam kept his voice pitched low so only she could hear as they headed across the parking lot toward the door.
“To be honest, I hadn’t thought that far ahead yet, but it looks like the cat is already out of the bag. At least with Buddy. He won’t talk but I bet he’s not the only one who noticed my car parked here last night. No doubt there will be talk. Even if nothing had happened, there would have been talk when they saw you give me a lift today.”
“So the question is, do you want to give them something to really talk about?” He offered his hand, letting it be her decision whether or not she took it.
She seemed to think it over for a second as they walked, then she apparently came to a decision. She took his hand and moved closer to his side. Something about her actions made him feel about ten feet tall.
“Is Buddy going to give you hell for getting involved with me?”
“Probably.” She paused. “Either that or tell me how relieved he is that I finally found a guy I like. He seems to have appointed himself as my surrogate parent since my mom died. I’m thinking the chances are fifty-fifty. He’ll either be glad or think I’ve lost my mind.”
“I’d bet on the latter if his scowl is anything to go by.”
“Yeah, you may be right about that,” she murmured as they neared the door. “Good morning, Buddy,” she said, trying to ease past the old man without pausing for conversation.
Buddy wasn’t about to let that happen. He blocked the door subtly, with his rounded body, pocketing the rag he’d been using to clean his hands. His gaze swept from Emily to Sam and back again before zeroing in on Sam.
“I noticed your car was parked here overnight, Emily. I assume Henry left it here on his way out of town. What surprised me was that you didn’t come get it last night.”
“I had other plans.” Emily squared her shoulders and faced the older man down. She had courage when it came to standing her ground, Sam was learning.
“With him?” Buddy’s gaze narrowed unflatteringly on Sam.
“As a matter of fact, yes. Sam gave me a ride in this morning so I wouldn’t have to take a cab.”
Sam liked the way she didn’t lie, but she also didn’t give in to the older man’s bully tactics. What he learned about what they’d been doing the night before was up to Emily. Sam would respect her wishes whatever she decided.
Buddy eyed him suspiciously but it didn’t bother Sam. He stood fast and said nothing, letting Emily take the lead. This was her world, after all. She’d have to live with these people when he was gone.
Thinking of that even in an abstract way annoyed him. Sam didn’t want to think of a future without Emily in it but that, in all likelihood, would be his reality.