Page 19 of Brooks

“Why? All I need is this.” I pulled the Sig P226 from the waistband of my shorts and smiled when his lips twitched.

“You’re with us at the compound until this is over.”

“Why?” Damn, I sounded like a broken record.

“It’s safer there. Time’s wasting. You wanna hurry? We have an op to plan.”

I weighed my options and figured it would take more energy than it was worth to argue with Brooks. Besides, even if I agreed now, it didn’t mean I had to stay at the compound later. I could leave anytime I wanted. And we did need to work out a way to keep at least one of the men alive long enough for me to question.

“Give me a minute.”

I rushed into the bedroom and quickly changed my clothes. I may wear shorts in the privacy of my apartment or in the early morning hours while I knew I was going on a boat. But being in a country that frowned upon women exposing any skin, I was respectful. I yanked on a pair of pants and a long-sleeved tee knowing I would be sweating through the cotton within seconds and hoping we’d be at the compound fast so I could change back.

I didn’t miss Brooks’ long sweeping appraisal when I walked back into the living room with my backpack over my shoulder. I didn’t have time to contemplate why I liked his eyes on me, or why my insides had warmed when he had me pressed against the wall the other day. It should’ve pissed me off he had the audacity to invade my space, but it hadn’t. I grabbed my laptop case and checked my files were secure before I joined him near the door.

“Want me to take anything?”

I felt my eyes narrowing.

“Jesus, woman, you need to relax. Everything I say isn’t a slight. I was simply offering to help.”

He was right, I was overreacting. “No. Thank you, I’ve got it.”

We made our way to a ratty-assed Toyota SUV that had more rust than paint left. Kyle was behind the wheel and Max was in the passenger seat. They said their hellos but other than that the drive to the compound was done in near-silence.

Once we’d entered the gated compound Max and Kyle exited the SUV, leaving me alone with Brooks.

“Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, why?”

“You seem…off.”

I was beginning to learn nothing slipped Brooks’ notice. I found the observation disconcerting. I didn’t like how he could so easily read me.

“Just thinking what all of this means for my mission.”

“Let’s get inside and you out of these clothes and we’ll talk it out.”

My cheeks heated at his innocent comment. I knew what he meant, I was sweating like a pig, but I couldn’t help thinking what it would be like if he helped me out of my sweat-drenched tee. Not the sexiest thought, but an inappropriate one nonetheless.

Brooks’ eyes stayed glued to mine when he said, “I’d love to know what just ran through your mind that pinkened your pretty cheeks.”

His hand slowly came to my face, giving me every opportunity to back away or stop him, which stupidly I didn’t. I remained still even as his thumb brushed my cheek while his fingers dug into the back of my neck.

“There’s something about you, Tatiana Jones, that drives me wild.”

Right back atcha, Brooks Miller, was what I was thinking but didn’t dare say. I hadn’t been able to get him out of my mind. He’d invaded my every thought. Not good, not good at all. I had to concentrate on my mission, not on his crazy-cool hazel eyes with specks of blue. Or his too-long shaggy brown hair, or the days-old stubble on his face that would feel oh-so-good scraping my inner thighs. And I really should not have been wondering what he looked like under his tight tee and cargos.

“Good God, Doll. When you get lost in your head and your eyes go soft, right before they get heavy…” He shook his head before he continued, “That look. It can make a man weak. Make him believe in all sorts of shit. Make him want to do anything to keep it.”

Weirdly, that may’ve been the best compliment I’d ever received. Men like Brooks were a lot of things, weak wasn’t one of them.

“We can’t go there, Brooks.”

“Go where, Tatiana?” He smiled.

“Wherever it is this thing between us leads.”