Page 31 of Russian Rescue

“Jesus. I didn’t know such a thing existed.”

He shrugged. “Yeah. I got lucky, I guess.”

“Well, you should feel lucky. Not many of us got that. Especially those of us in Elite Stealth Force. None of us have happy childhoods, or we’d never be allowed on the team.”

“Valid.” Wes took a sip of vodka then pulled a face. “But lucky for you, they made an exception for my happy ass.”

“Touché.” I took the bottle and lifted it in a cheers.

He leaned back against the couch. “Any word from Marcus? I’m still going crazy over here worrying about my sister.”

I checked my phone. “Nothing yet. He and Knox will figure it out, though. They always do. All we need to do is worry about keeping you alive in the meantime.”

“You gonna teach me some of your Kung-fu skills?” He chopped the air.

I arched a brow. “You know. Giving you some shooting and hand-to-hand tips isn’t such a bad idea. Tomorrow we’ll do some training while we wait.”

“Seriously?” He lit up. “I’m going to learn how to kick ass like you?”

Snorting, I set down my glass. “No. You’ll never kick ass like me. No one does. But I’ll teach you how to survive against the rest of the world.”

“I can’t wait.”

He smiled at me, and the simple gesture ignited the little fires burning inside my stomach again... and between my thighs. Swallowing down my internal groan, I pushed off the couch.

“I, uh... I’m turning in. I’ll see you in the morning, Wes.”

“Sleep tight, Piper.” His eyes locked with mine, and those little sparkles inside of them almost coaxed me to launch into his arms and cover him with kisses, but I stepped farther away.

It’s Wes. Stop it, Piper.

All my life, I’d battled through some dark and dangerous shit. None of it scared me. Not the bullets whizzing past me, the explosions shaking my eardrums, or the near-death experiences that were too numerous to count. Totally fearless in the face of every single thing this crazy life threw my way. But there was one thing that terrified me straight to my core.

Needing someone. Wanting someone. Giving my heart to someone. That vulnerability was a danger that sent me running for the hills. And there was no denying that the feelings I had brewing for Wes weren’t just straight up sexual chemistry. If that was the case, I’d be sliding down his cock already. But it wasn’t, and I reminded myself of the dangers of submitting to my desires and letting him into my life.

I wouldn’t put him at risk. No, I couldn’t. My mission was too important to leave it behind, and I could never tell him what I’d really been up to this past year. Even though I could open up to him about my life before, I could never open up to him about what I’d been doing recently. Which meant, even if I could get past the fear of letting him into my heart, I could never let him into my life.

You cannot kiss Wes. You cannot fall for Wes. Stop it.

With that chant on repeat in my mind, I forced myself away from him and behind the bedroom door.

CHAPTER EIGHT

Wesley

––––––––

“Like this?” I held the knife and aimed it at the target.

“Yeah. Exactly.” Piper came up behind me and lifted my elbow a little. “Now remember, whether you throw it by the blade or the handle depends on the knife. What is the difference?”

“You want the heaviest part of the knife to be thrown first.”

“Right. So, this blade is what?”

I played with the balance in my hand. “Handle heavy.”

“Exactly. Then what does that mean?”