“Don’t be a hater,” Jackson says. “I earned every bit of that week in paradise coming my way.”
I smirk. Jackson’s headed to Hawaii and hasn’t been able to shut up about it since. “Just make sure you pack some heat. You never know what’ll go down.”
“You know I never go anywhere without it.” He pats his sidearm. “By the way, you have a visitor.”
“Who?”
“Ambassador Westbrook.”
“Seriously? Tell him to come in.”
Anthony offers a quick salute and steps out of the office. A moment later, the ambassador walks in, dressed in a tailored suit and looking much better than the last time I saw him.
“Sir.” I stand, slowly, wincing at the pull in my arm.
“Hey, take it easy,” he says, walking toward me and putting a hand on my shoulder. “I had a meeting here and thought I’d stop by to see you.” He offers me his hand, and I take it. He shakes it firmly. “I needed to say thank you in person.”
“You didn’t have to come out of your way, sir,” I reply, sinking onto the edge of the desk. I hate that I get winded so quickly these days. My trainer at the gym refuses to increase the intensity of our workouts for now, and I feel like I’ve lost all my strength. “The gift basket and steaks you sent were plenty.”
Shortly after I returned to the office, there was a huge gift basket full of my favorite beer, some great books, and gift certificates to various restaurants easily worth a couple grand. And the next day, a delivery of Omaha Steaks showed up at my door.
He holds up a hand. “You saved my life, but more importantly, you saved my daughter’s life. I can never thank you enough.”
“How is Nat—um, Miss Westbrook?” I ask.
The ambassador smiles a little. “Natalie’s doing really well. I had quite a surprise when I found out she’s with NSA. But they’ve been keeping her very busy. She’s only just returned to the United States.”
“She stayed?”
“She did. Her handlers were notified when we reached Kuwait, and they made other arrangements for her.”
I nod slowly. “Good for her.”
“She seems to be quite fond of you.”
I snap my head up. “Sir?”
The ambassador shrugs, smiling wryly. “I could think of worse men for my daughter to be with.”
Be with? Does he know…? “Uh…”
“She’s here,” he informs me. “She wants to talk to you.”
Holy God.
I can’t muster up any words as he leaves the office, and immediately, a vision steps inside.
She’s dressed in a pink blouse and a gray pencil skirt that skims every luscious curve. A sweet, delicious fragrance drifts from her as she steps closer.
“Hi, Murphy,” Natalie says, smiling at me gently.
Wordlessly, I slide off the desk and walk toward her. She wastes no time sliding her arms around me and hugging me gently. When she pulls away, she places her hand over my wound.
“How do you feel?” she asks.
“Great,” I murmur, smiling at her. “You look amazing.”
She reaches up to touch my face. “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you more.” I can’t hold back another second and lower my mouth to hers. She kisses me back passionately, and suddenly, I feel no pain whatsoever.
Her eyes glisten, but the smile on her lips is a joyous one. “Maybe we don’t have to miss each other for a while, then. I’m sure you’ve got some recuperating to do before you can go back to the field. As for me…I just got a place in DC. I’ll be working from there from now on.”
It’s the best news I could’ve ever hoped for. “Then…maybe I can take you out to dinner soon.”
“You better,” she quips. “After all, I did give you…all of me.”
My body responds immediately. “It’s my most treasured memory.”
“I’d like to give it to you again,” she adds in a low voice, her smile turning sexy.
God. What is she doing to me? “I think I’m going to cash in some leave right now. Commander Knight won’t mind.”
Natalie bites her lip. “I think that’s a good idea. I’m taking leave myself.”
Welp. Time to get packed up. “I’m on it.”
She grins, then steps back. “I’ll be waiting outside.” She sashays to the door, and I don’t miss a single sway of her hips. Then she glances at me over her shoulder. Her smile is still coy, but that soft glisten is back in her eyes. “By the way. The last time I saw you, I know I was in a big hurry and everything, so I didn’t get to reply to your parting message.”
My heart stops in my chest.
Her throat works as she swallows. “I love you too, Brian Murphy.” Then she winks at me and steps out of the office.
For a second, all I can do is stand in place. For so many years, I’ve fought the good fight, putting my life and everything I want on hold in the name of justice.
Now, it’s time for me to start living. And I can think of no better person than Natalie Westbrook, the woman I love, to share my life with.
The End
1
Lyla Reynolds
“So, I don’t know if anyone told your face or not,” my best friend Olivia Arnold drawls, “but you’re going to Hawaii, not your execution.”
My back is to her at the moment, but I can hear the eye-roll in her voice, and despite my moodiness, I smile. “What’re you talking about?”
“You’re moping like you’re not flying to paradise in the morning,” she exclaims.
I glance at her over my shoulder, where she’s sprawled across my loveseat, nursing a glass of the single malt scotch she keeps here for herself. That’s how often she comes over—she has a place for her own booze on my drink cart. “I’m flying to paradise alone in the morning.”
“You should be thanking your lucky stars.”
We both live in Washington, DC, but I come from the East coast—New Jersey—and she’s from the South—Richmond, Virginia. That’s why she says things like “thankin’ yore lucky stars.”
“I’m actually on the verge of a panic attack,” I tell her. “I’ve never traveled that far by myself, and certainly not out of the continental US.”
Olivia flips her long, glossy dark hair and sits up. “Traveling alone is a treat, babygirl. I’d love to be in your shoes.”
“Well, I do technically have that extra unclaimed ticket. And you have an understanding and flexible boss,” I whine, standing forlornly beside my half-packed suitcase. “He wouldn’t mind it if you decided last-minute to come to Hawaii with me.”
“I wish. He was understanding, but ever since the restaurant took a nosedive after that poor review, he’s rethinking things. The cocktails, of course, got a glowing review.” She’s a bartender at a trendy new restaurant that was doing well until it wasn’t. “I got the feeling he’s gonna pull the plug any day now, and I need all the tips I can get in the meantime.” Olivia lifts a brow at me. “Besides, traveling alone is a beautiful thing. You’ll see. I want that for you.”