Scrunching her nose, she playfully slapped his arm.
As their mirth ebbed, he pulled back. “We need to talk.”
Her breath sucked in quickly, and she held his gaze. “About…”
“The mission is over.”
“And… you want me to… leave?”
Her voice was hesitant, and he winced. “No. But… I don’t want you to feel like you have no choice. Or that you think you know what I think when maybe you don't know what I think.”
She blinked, her brow lowering. “Um…”
“Shit, I’m fucking this up,” he groaned. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tight. “I don't know how I can lead my team, run this business, and handle whatever is thrown at me, and yet, with you, I say the wrong thing.”
“That just makes you human. And endearing.” She smiled cautiously. “Just tell me what you’re thinking and then I won’t have to guess.”
Snorting, he shook his head, trying to find the right words. “I guess I’m scared again. I know you don’t have to stay here, but I really hope you do. I want us to continue. I want to wake up to you each morning. I want to hold you each night. I want to be together, not just because of the mission or your safety but because I love you. I want you to find a job where you’re happy, not overworked and exhausted. I now know that I can have the business and a relationship. And I want that to be with you. If you want to move, we can find a house nearby. I just want you to share my life in every way.”
A little gasp slipped out before her lips curved. “Wow, when you’re able to get your thoughts together, you really do it well!”
“So, what do you think?”
She moved closer and kissed him lightly before holding his gaze. “I’ve already found a family medical practice nearby that wants me and my experience. It’ll give me a chance to get to know the patients and also give them a former ER nurse for those times when something comes in that needs treatment before being transported to a hospital. I planned on turning in my notice on my apartment. And I love your little house here and don’t want you to move. I figure we can add on to it if we need more space in the future. And mostly… I love you, too.”
He stared into her tawny eyes—the eyes that had captured him at his lowest moment—and knew that with her love, he’d be captured for the rest of his life. Clutching her tighter, his mouth descended on hers, taking, giving, loving. And he had it all.
Two Months Later
Carson walked out of the house, surveyed the scene in front of him, and smiled. His Keepers were milling about, conversations and laughter abounding, drinks flowing, and food-laden tables providing plenty for the hungry crowd. And in the middle was Jeannie, having moved amongst the others, making sure everyone had what they needed. Not to play hostess but just being a good friend. She’d settled into life with him at the lighthouse, finding her own way with her new job while integrating herself into his life at LSI-WC. And now, she stood with Sylvie as they chatted like old friends.
“You’ve done it,” Mace said, coming from the side to stand next to him. He and Sylvie had made the trip to California as part of David’s spring break from school and to meet with Carson.
He turned toward his friend, a grin still on his face. “Thanks to you,” he acknowledged. “I couldn’t have done it without your assistance and guidance.”
“You’d have found a way, but I’m glad you joined as an LSI partner.” Mace inclined his head toward the West Coast Keepers and continued, “They’re all good. None better, and that includes my original Keepers.”
“You were right when you told me the type of person to hire. Start with the best and that’s what you’ll have to work with.”
They stood in silence for a moment, watching Jeannie and Sylvie as they laughed over a shared story.
“I’m glad you found her,” Mace said, his lips quirking upward as he watched his wife with Carson’s fiancée. “Never thought it would work for me. Business and love. But women like Sylvie and Jeannie, they complete us.”
Nodding, Carson agreed, then chuckled. “Most of your Keepers have fallen hard. None of mine have, and I don’t mind saying I’m not sure I look forward to that.”
“Adds a new dimension, that’s for sure. But they’ll find it when it’s right. No one who is a true Keeper will take the leap lightly. Of course, most of them will get hit when they don’t expect it. At least, that’s what we all found.”
“Including me,” Carson laughed.
The two women sidled up to them, and both men lifted an arm to welcome their mates. As Jeannie tucked in close to him, she smiled. “Everything okay, sweetie?”
He cast his gaze around the friends gathered on the patio at the base of the lighthouse with the water and sunset spread out before them and nodded. Dropping his chin to stare into her tawny eyes again, he kissed her lightly. “Couldn’t be better, babe. Couldn’t be better.”
To the side, Leo felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Pulling it out, he grinned at the caller ID. “Hey, Nat.”
“God, save me, please.”
Laughing, he shook his head. “Bodyguarding divas not to your liking anymore?”
“Are you serious? Hell, I never liked this job. Maybe if I’d worked for Carson when he had his bodyguard business, I might have been happier. Or maybe if I’d worked with you, I might not be losing my fucking mind. Christ, I’d go back to the Army just to be a grunt if I could!”
“It can’t be all that bad. Who are you with now?”
“Carlotta Caruso,” came the high-pitched, sing-song response.
Leo barked out a laugh. “I know that can’t be her real name.”
“Who the fuck knows who anyone’s name is here in Tinseltown? Hell, I’m not sure who I am half the time!” The sound of laughter from around him sounded and Nat complained, “Oh, fuck, I can tell you’re at a party. Now I’m seriously jealous!”
“Just a work party. Time to kick back, eat, drink, and enjoy life,” Leo said, suddenly wishing Nat was here also.
“Yep, jealous. I’ve got to go to some party to keep Carlotta safe from absolutely no one. But she likes having someone around, so I’ll be the one in a suit, standing in the corner, not drinking, keeping a watch over the slimes, primadonnas, divas, entitled pricks—”
“We have got to get together soon,” Leo interrupted, hating that one of his closest friends was so miserable. “We’ll catch up and seriously talk about getting you out of that job.”
“It pays the bills,” Nat quipped.
“Yeah, but you could have your bills paid and be happy,” Leo insisted.
“Maybe,” Nat conceded. “Anyway, I’ll let you get back to your slice of happiness. Just called because I was bored out of my skull and wanted to make sure you didn’t forget about me.”
“Hell, we talk all the time, so I hardly think I’ll forget about you. But carve out a time that our schedules allow. We’ll meet at a bar and throw back a few.”