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It’s the most peaceful sleep I’ve had in years and I know it has everything to do with the woman in my arms.
???
I never fully closed the curtains and the warm sunlight wakes me up bright and early. Lake and I are tangled up in the sheets and each other, and my leg is thrown possessively over her thigh, keeping her close.
She’s still sleeping soundly, tucked up against my chest, and I pull back a little so I can look down at her. I watch her chest rise and fall evenly with each breath and admire her long sooty lashes. My gaze trails along the edge of her cheekbone, over to her pert nose and then down to her full, very kissable lips.
My dick begins to respond, pressing against her belly, and I’m about to wake her up in the best way possible when I hesitate.Fuck. I’m out of condoms. I scrub a hand over my face and wish I had more. Guess I wasn’t as prepared as I thought I was.
Looks like it’ll be a cold shower this morning instead. I suppose it’s for the best because she’s probably sore, anyway.
Suppressing a groan, I’m debating whether or not to still wake her up pleasantly enough when my phone starts vibrating. I snatch it off the nightstand and answer, “Slater.”
“Hey, Dash,” Ryan says. “Sorry to call so early, but I figure you’d want to hear what I found out.”
“Go ahead,” I say as Lake stirs in my arms.
“I looked through Mila’s credit card activity and saw she used her card in Italy. But when I checked sat images, it wasn’t her. It was some tough-looking guy. I used CCTV to follow him back to a Villa owned by Giancarlo Caruso.”
“That’s probably where they’re holding Mila. If she’s still alive,” I add darkly. Lake rolls away, eyes blinking open, and I watch her closely as she remembers the details of last night. I’m not sure how she’s going to react, but then she gives me a shy, tentative smile. Reaching over, I brush a finger along her arm, unable to look away from her big, brown eyes.
“She’s alive,” Ryan confirms. “I tapped into their security feed and caught a glimpse of her being escorted to a suite in the northwest corner of the mansion. Second floor, bars on the windows. I can send you photos and the GPS coordinates.”
“Thanks, Ryan,” I say and sit up. “Looks like we’ll be extracting Mila today. I’ll be in touch.” After disconnecting the call, I send a quick text off to Sailor and Maddox, telling them to be ready in 20 minutes.
“You know where Mila is?” Lake asks, also sitting up, tucking the sheet beneath her arms.
I nod. “Ryan said she’s at Caruso’s villa.”
“And we’re going to rescue her?”
I debate on whether to bring Lake with us, but I hate the idea of leaving her here, alone and an easy target for whoever wants the T-Force. I’d rather have her with me where I know she’s safe.
“Affirmative,” I respond. “But you’re going to need to follow my directions and stay close at all times. Understood?”
“Yes,” she immediately answers.
“Good girl.” I lean in closer and press a kiss to her soft lips. Even though I’d love to linger in bed with her, I force myself to pull back. “Go take a shower. We’re leaving in twenty.”
Lake nods and slides out of bed, dragging the sheet with her and I squeeze my eyes shut, willing my dick to settle down. My dry spell is finally over and he’s raring to go, but first we have a rescue mission to pull off.Later, boy.
If we’re very lucky…later.
???
Exactly twenty minutes later, the four of us climb into the rental SUV and head toward Caruso’s country villa. During a quick briefing with Fallon and Ryan over speaker, we devise a plan. Luckily, we have all the tools we need in the back, thanks to my team always being prepared for anything.
After hanging up, Sailor turns in her seat and grins, looking from me to Lake then back to me. “How’d you two sleep?” she asks, feigning innocence.
Lake blushes and I’m about to tell Sailor to turn back around and focus on the mission ahead but, instead, a smirk lifts the edge of my mouth. “Best sleep of my life,” I tell her.
Sailor’s blue eyes go wide and she nods in approval before spinning back around in her seat. “I’m glad to hear it,” she says and reaches for Maddox’s hand.
They’re always holding hands and touching each other in little, intimate ways. A caress here, a lingering look there. They speak to each other without words. And for two people who used to fight as much as they did, it’s a pretty cool thing to see. Watching them, I wonder what it would be like to have your other half by your side, and I find myself yearning for it in a way that I never have before.
But I don’t dare reach out to Lake because, truthfully, I have no idea where we stand. Was last night a fling? A one and done? Or is she looking for something serious? I mean, she gave me her virginity and I’d like to think that’s a pretty big deal. But what if she just wanted to unload it and I happened to be there and willing?
Sometimes I overthink things. Way too much.
