Page 29 of Being Bold (Tactical Operations & Protection (TOP) Security #1)

Bo

Bo woke up slowly from the deepest sleep he’d had in years. The birds chirping outside the window told him he’d managed to sleep through the night. With no nightmares.

Huh.

Felt like the last time that happened, he’d been in his teens.

But judging by the enticing scent in his nose and the softness molded against him, he had a pretty clear idea of why.

He was spooning Selene, his face buried in her neck.

His left arm wrapped her waist, and there were precisely zero inches of space between his dick and the round globes of her ass.

Before coming to his room last night, she’d changed into a loose t-shirt and leggings that molded to her like a second skin.

Do NOT get hard.

Of course, thinking that meant he instantly did. Cracking an eye open, he peered at her, hoping she stayed asleep. Her back moved in a peaceful rhythm with her breathing. She was out.

Thank fuck.

She didn’t stir when he shifted, trying to put some distance between her curves and his disobedient body. Either she wasn’t a light sleeper, or the last few days had left her exhausted. He didn’t want to move his arm, though. Didn’t want to stop holding her.

Passing the night with her, even without having sex, was the best time he’d ever spent.

They’d talked about anything other than her situation.

He now knew her favorite color was red, she liked obscure European bands he’d never heard of, and she’d lived all over the globe, falling in love with paella in Spain. She’d even made him laugh—once.

They’d kept things light, and it had brought him .

. . peace? A measure of it, at least. Is this what falling for someone felt like?

Wanting to spend time with them doing nothing at all?

Just listening to Selene’s melodic cadence put him at ease.

If he were a different man, a better man, he might’ve considered what she’d said about deserving to love.

But he wasn’t. And he hadn’t been lying when he told her he didn’t do relationships. A frown tightened the lines of Bo’s face. Still, it didn’t change the fact that he cared for her. In a way he’d never cared for a woman. He could admit it. To himself.

But those feelings? He wasn’t going to do anything with them. His feelings wouldn’t matter in a few days, a week, or however long it took to complete this mission, and she walked out of his life forever.

Even if he hadn’t been broken, Selene deserved better. What did he have to offer her? He lived in a cabin barely big enough for one, his job was unpredictable, not to mention dangerous, and his baggage was heavy enough to weigh down the strongest of shoulders.

She should walk away from him or run .

If the ache around his heart were any indication, when she did, that shit would hurt.

But he was no stranger to pain. Closing his eyes against that inevitability, he breathed in deep.

He didn’t know much about flowers, but whatever her perfume was, it smelled exotic, like a plant that only bloomed at night when the moon danced over its petals.

About to curse at himself for thinking something that sounded like poetry, his eyes flew open as Duke burst into the room.

“Hey, Bo-man, Vic—” A cocky-ass smirk lit Duke’s face. He’d woken Selene, and she’d shot into a sitting position. “Well, hello, sunshine.”

Her hair was a sexy tousle, her eyelids heavy as she tried to get her bearings. Bo wished he could ignore Duke, pull her back into his arms, and finish what they’d started the night before. But he couldn’t.

Aiming his scowl at the smug bastard, Bo barked. “Give me five. And shut the damn door on your way out.”

When Duke left, Selene met his gaze. Her cheeks had colored, and she shot him a tentative smile. “Hi.”

Fuck, she was gorgeous. He cleared his throat and smiled—naturally, his lips turning up with ease. “Morning.”

Her eyes lit, and with the sunlight streaming in, they were more gray than green. “I should probably go. Before . . .”

I jump you.

Her blush deepened as if she could read his thoughts. But he felt sure she’d only meant to imply before someone else came looking for him.

He stopped her when she moved to climb off the bed. Trailing his hand up her arm, he let it rest at the base of her throat. Her skin was warm against his. Her pulse fluttered under his palm. “How did you sleep?”

Trying to smooth her wild hair, she let out a nervous snort. “Like the dead.” Her face fell immediately, realizing what she’d said.

And if that wasn’t a total mood killer . . .

Playing bait meant there was a real possibility she might die. Being reminded of that made his blood run cold.

“Yeah.” He dropped his arm and stood up. “I’ve got to—” He waved toward the Jack-and-Jill bathroom that connected his and Herc’s rooms.

“Bo, I . . .”

He ducked inside without giving her a chance to respond, then he turned the water on and leaned against the sink with his palms gripping the edge of the counter. He wanted to break something, but it wouldn’t take away this sickening fear. Bile burned in his gut, knowing he could lose her.

Putting his hands in the flow of water, he cupped it and splashed some on his face.

Dripping onto the counter, he opened his eyes searching for a towel, only to get stuck on his reflection in the mirror over the sink.

He might’ve slept well, but his expression held no refreshment.

No, the look he sported was that of a haunted man.

Shaking his head, he snatched up a towel and buried his face in it. He wanted to yell for all the good it would do him. Clamping down on the rage, he grabbed his toothbrush and made himself ready. It’d already been five minutes, and he didn’t need Duke coming back.

With minty breath, a fresh layer of deodorant, and a clean shirt, he wandered into the kitchen, searching for coffee. The whole damned team was there.

Duke, being Duke, had to poke the bear. “Nice of you to join us,” he offered with his signature smirk. Bo was sorely tempted to knock it off his face.

“Shut it, unless you’d like to lose a few of those pearly whites?”

Of course, Mr. Trust Fund only chuckled.

“Where’s the coffee?” The wall to his right had a row of upper and lower cabinets, broken in the center by a deep copper sink. The dark cabinets and white counter continued in an “L” on the far wall where the refrigerator stood. A mounted oven and microwave took up the area on his immediate left.

Where the hell was the coffee machine?

The kitchen wasn’t tiny, but with five big men in it, the damned thing felt claustrophobic. Bo’s skin stretched too tight. He needed caffeine and space.

“Here, man.” Herc shoved a mug in his hand, and he took it gratefully.

Retreating to the opposite side of the island so he had the open living room at his back, he asked, “What did I miss?”

Victor leaned back against the sink and crossed his arms. His expression said Bo owed him an explanation, but he wouldn’t reprimand him in front of everyone.

The guy was a seriously solid leader, which is why a stab of guilt made Bo nod, acknowledging what Victor hadn’t said.

“She’s going back into Saber Tech. We’ll have eyes and ears on her, and the CIA friend will be onsite protection. ”

The coffee he’d sipped turned into lead sludge in his gut. He got that this was just the first step of the plan, but his entire being screamed at him not to leave her so exposed. Still, he grunted his understanding. “We wait for Dao to make contact.”

Romeo lifted his head from his laptop. “Once he does, she’ll set up an in-person meet.”

Herc stopped shoveling a muffin into his mouth to butt in. “She’ll offer to swap the real” —he made air quotes like Bo wasn’t very aware Yumi destroyed the real one—“microchip. When Dao shows up to retrieve it, we take him out.”

Victor’s stare assessed Bo. “You think she’s up for that, frogman?”

Selene? Yes. Him? Fuck no.

He rubbed a hand over his mouth and beard. “Yeah. She can handle it.”

But how the hell will I?

◆◆◆

Selene

Selene never expected to step foot inside Saber Tech’s building again. She waved to Henry and felt sweat break out on her forehead. He gave her a strange look when she nearly fumbled her badge.

“You okay, Ms. Selene?”

God, his genuine concern drowned her in guilt. Him, all these people working for this company, did they know who Mr. Dao really was? What he’d done?

She blinked. Don’t think about that right now!

When she was about to lose it and blow the whole thing, Bo’s voice reassured her. “We can see and hear you, Selene. As soon as Dao makes contact, we’re pulling you out.”

Thank you, baby Jesus.

“I’m fine, Henry.” She forced a smile. “Just a little under the weather still.” She swiped her badge and passed through the turnstile. Giving the security guard a small wave, she headed for the stairs.

Miraculously, she made it to her desk without passing out. As if the office were stuck in a time warp, she found Stuart hunched over the keyboard, squinting at the computer screen. She tapped him on the shoulder, and he jumped.

“Selene?” His eyes bugged out behind his glasses. “I thought you quit.”

“Oh, huh. Nope, I’ve just been sick the last few days.” She coughed for good measure. “Feeling mostly over it now,” she croaked like her throat might still be scratchy.

Stu gave her a wide berth, clearly afraid she’d infect him. “Okay, well, I’ll move out of your way. ’Night.”

She sat down slowly and blew out a breath.

“Great job, ocean-eyes. Now open your email and go about your work like everything’s normal.”

She smiled a little at Bo’s soothing tone in her ear, trying to convince herself everything was normal. If only her heart rate would get the hint. She caught a familiar laugh and murmured, “Yumi’s incoming.”

“You know I can hear you, right?” The smirk in her friend’s comment nearly made Selene roll her eyes.