Page 13 of Kyle (Gold Team #3)

My eyes came open with a start.

After I blinked the fuzziness away, Kyle came into focus.

I knew immediately why he was in bed with me.

It had been a long time since I’d had a nightmare.

Years of therapy had thankfully cured me of them, or time had.

Either way, I no longer had night terrors.

But last night my dream had been so real.

Only I wasn’t back in the basement I’d been kept in, and I wasn’t chained to a wall or in a cage.

I was in Amisha’s house forced to watch as men traipsed in and out.

Even after I’d woken up, the girls’ cries rang in my ears.

I studied Kyle’s face for a moment, he looked different—relaxed.

Less lethal, when his features were slack with sleep.

There was no doubt about it, Kyle was good-looking.

A hank of hair had fallen on his forehead, it was too dark to be called blond but too light to be called brown.

I wasn’t sure what color to call it but I was sure I wanted to push the unruly piece back and see if it was as soft as it looked.

But I wouldn’t, for a variety of reasons, the main being the gesture would be too forward and a little creepy.

And besides, the sweep of hair almost made him look cute in a badass, former SEAL kind of way.

Though he’d still yet to confirm he’d been special forces—but I knew.

His movements and intensity belied his denials.

I smiled as my gaze traveled down to our hands.

We were still on our sides facing one another; his hand was in the same place it had been last night when he’d offered it to me.

We weren’t holding hands—not really—mine was just resting on top of his.

The sight made me weirdly happy but at the same time sad knowing in a few days he’d be gone.

It also made me wish I was the kind of woman who could go for what she wanted, who didn’t have hang-ups, who didn’t have a shipping container full of regrets.

And not reaching out to touch Kyle was just another one of those regrets I’d stack on top of all the others.

Another missed opportunity because I was too scared to ask for what I wanted.

Not that I thought Kyle would be receptive to me touching him, or that he’d close the distance between us so I could kiss him.

A thought I couldn’t get out of my head, not since he’d had me against the wall, only to intensify when he’d laid beside me.

His rejection would hurt, but moreover, I was totally out of line even thinking about kissing him.

“Everything okay?” Kyle asked.

His sleep-rough voice sent chills racing down my arms. Or was it the chilly air in the room?

That, of course, was the most logical explanation for my sudden shiver, if the bedroom had indeed been cold.

But it wasn’t, the air was stifling, leaving me to admit it was simply his sexy drawl that had made me shudder.

“Yeah.” I’d been so lost studying our connection I’d missed him waking up. “Sorry if I woke you.”

“You didn’t. I’ve been awake awhile.”

Oh, good Lord, had he seen me looking at him?

“You have?” My eyes snapped to his.

I started to move my hand away, but he closed his fingers around mine.

His penetrating gaze held mine and I realized that last night in the moonlight, I’d been wrong, I’d thought his eyes were more green than brown.

But this close with the sun spilling into the room, there were dark brown flecks that dotted his irises.

They were spectacular, unique, powerful, and damn sexy.

“Anymore nightmares?”

“No.”

Mortification flooded, reminding me he was not in bed with me for sexy fun times.

It was because I’d been weak and shaken after my nightmare.

And then there was that part of me that needed to use that as an excuse to spend time with him.

Maybe I should’ve felt guilty about being a little dishonest but I didn’t.

And that brought a whole new set of uncomfortable feelings.

“Where’d you go?” Kyle muttered.

“Huh?”

“You looked like you just took an unpleasant trip in your mind.”

Jeez, he didn’t miss much.

“You still wanna deny you were a SEAL?” I muttered.

“What does that have to do with anything?” He chuckled.

“You’re observant.”

“So? Because I pay attention means I was a SEAL?”

“Pretty much.”

Kyle’s broad smile made my stomach flipflop and since he’d already woken up my girly parts and shaken off the dust, they certainly noticed how sexy he looked first thing in the morning with a grin on his handsome face. Too bad he wasn’t smiling for other reasons.

He shook his head as if he could read my thoughts—which at this point I was worried he could—and asked, “Are you hungry? ”

“More evasion,” I mumbled, then answered. “Yeah, I’m actually starving.”

“Good. You didn’t eat last night. I’ll get outta here so you can get up and get dressed.”

Heat hit my cheeks at the reminder I was only in my bra and panties, something that didn’t seem to faze him like it did me.

With two men in the house, I’d had every intention of sleeping with sweats and a t-shirt.

But within ten minutes of being in bed it was hotter than hell and I’d stripped down.

By some miracle I’d been covered up when Kyle had come into the room.

I nodded my agreement, but Kyle didn’t move. His gaze lingered and his pupils dilated. He looked like he was deep in thought. Finally, he came out of his trance and let go of my hand, rolled to his back, then up to sit.

With another glance down at me that sent more goosebumps over my arms he got up and without another word he left the room.

As soon as the door clicked behind Kyle I was up out of bed and rummaging through my bag finding shorts and a t-shirt. I grabbed my toothbrush and darted out of the room, across the hall into the bathroom.

I rushed through my morning routine, telling myself it was because I was hungry. But the truth was, I wanted to see Kyle again.

I was being beyond ridiculous and I knew it.

Six days from now we’d part ways and he’d forget all about me.

But the unexplained excitement in my belly couldn’t be denied.

I’d never had a crush on a man, if that’s what this feeling was.

And for once in my life, I just wanted to see what it felt like to be normal.

Not that I’d let him past my walls, but I wanted to enjoy the butterflies he roused.

I made my way into the small kitchen and both Declan and Kyle were leaning against the counter, matching mugs in their hands, and they were deep in conversation. Yet both of them were staring at me intently.

“Should I come back? I don’t want to interrupt.”

“You’re not. We were talking about your friends, Donny and Camilla Rivera. When does their flight get in?” Declan asked.

“Tonight. They’re staying at a hotel near the airport,” I told them. “I don’t mean this to be snarky, but I’m assuming they passed your background check?”

Declan smiled and the gesture transformed his whole demeanor. He didn’t look so mean and opposing.

“They did. It seems they do a lot of good work around the world. Do they have a plan for the girls?”

“It depends. If it’s safe enough they would like to keep the children they rescue in their home countries.

But in a case like this, they’re not sure.

They’ve been in Timor-Leste before, they have some contacts with orphanages in Tutuala.

It’s a small village about two-hundred and fifty kilometers east of Dili.

If there’s room, that’s where they plan to take the girls. ”

“And if there’s not room?” Kyle inquired.

“Then they’ll smuggle the girls south into West Timor, the Indonesian part of the island.”

Declan and Kyle both looked like they approved of the plan.

“How soon will they know?” Kyle continued.

“By tomorrow when they get in contact with their people.” Kyle looked at Declan and something passed between them. “Did something happen?”

“Declan made breakfast. Come grab a plate and we’ll sit and talk.”

Kyle turned and grabbed a plate full of eggs and toast off the counter and followed Declan into the living room .

I scooped a small amount onto my plate, suddenly not very hungry, and trailed behind the men into the other room.

I’d barely sat down when Declan started. “Garrett sent back info on the men from last night.”

“Okay.” I placed the plate on the table in front of me, the smell of my breakfast now churning my stomach.

“It’s what we expected, most were rich businessmen, one’s a politician, one’s a professor,” Declan answered.

“I’m sensing there’s more.”

“One of the men is an American and he has ties to a large trafficking organization. That’s concerning in itself but considering there’s been talk of this group making a purchase from Cambodia it leaves us wondering if this man is preparing to make purchases from several countries in the region.”

I was grateful I’d already abandoned my eggs because bile was burning my throat.

“Amisha’s gonna sell them, isn’t she? They’ll be gone and we’ll never find them again.”

“That’s what we’re thinking,” Kyle confirmed.

“Our team back in Maryland caught a lucky break and they’re working on gathering intel on the Cambodia purchase.” Declan paused and looked over at an unhappy Kyle. “We may have to move up the rescue of the girls.”

“Okay.” I couldn’t keep the approval out of my tone.

“That means this mission just became more dangerous,” Declan warned.

“We wanted time to recon. But if Preston Lockhart is here to make a buy, we can’t wait.

That also means the Riveras need to be ready to move tonight.

It’s gonna be a snatch and grab with a quick hand-off. Then we’re out of the country.”

“We? You mean all of us? I can stay and help Donny and Camilla. ”

“No way,” Kyle snapped. “It will be too dangerous for you to stay. You’re with us.”

“But I can—”

“Anaya, you stand out. The rebels are still attacking villages and we’re going to be pissing off a lot of people in power when we take out Amisha. I’m not leaving you behind.”

“Camilla’s going to need help,” I pushed.

“Then she’s gonna have to figure it out.”

“Kyle—”

“I don’t mean to sound like a dick, but our mission is to rescue the girls and keep you safe. I can’t do that if you’re in Timor-Leste and I’m in Cambodia.”

“I don’t get it. Am I going to Cambodia with you?”

“Yes.” Kyle’s grunt sounded almost like a growl.

“He refuses to put you on a plane back to the States by yourself,” Declan informed me. He, too, sounded irritated.

“What am I missing here? Why can’t I fly home alone?”

“Ask the over-protective jackass here.” Declan tilted his head toward Kyle.

“I’m not being over-protective, I’m being smart.”

Declan’s phone buzzed, cutting off our conversation, and he announced, “It’s Zane.”

He fiddled with his phone before answering, “You’re on speaker and Anaya Baker’s in the room.”

“Have you reviewed everything Garrett sent you?” A deep voice came over the phone.

“Twice,” Declan confirmed. “We just finished talking to Anaya about the mission shift.”

What in the world was going on? I was thrilled the girls would be out of that house tonight, but I thought we’d have time to help Donny and Camilla get the girls to their new home .

“Will your friends be ready to take possession of the girls by tomorrow?”

Kyle and Declan were looking at me expectantly, so I assumed Zane was speaking to me.

“I won’t know until I talk to them tonight when they land. I presume they will be. They’ve done this before and understand the urgency in getting the girls to safety,” I answered.

“We need to contact the Riveras now. Another call was made, you’re needed in Cambodia tomorrow night. That will give us thirty hours to recon and get into place. I want this shit done, so we can move on.”

“Anaya Baker will be with us,” Declan said.

“The fuck?” Zane barked. “Put her on a plane and get her back to the States.”

“Kyle—”

“Christ,” Zane cut off Declan. “Kyle what?”

“Thinks she’ll be safer with us.”

“Of course he does.”

“I have to agree with him, boss. Have you seen her? She sticks out like a beacon. If one person sees her, she’ll be—”

“Yeah, I’ve seen her. That’s why I know what Kyle’s thinking and it has nothing to do with her safety and everything to do with his—”

“Don’t go there, Z,” Kyle demanded.

My gaze was bouncing back and forth trying to keep up with the bizarre conversation but still lost on the part where Donny and Camilla would have no protection after they got the girls.

“Just once. That’s all I ask. One time a mission to run smooth without one of men losing their ever-loving mind over a woman.

Is that too much?” Zane exhaled loudly. “Declan, it’s your team, your operation, your call, the buck stops with you, friend.

If you agree with lover-boy then Anaya tags along.

If you don’t, lock Kyle down and put Hot Lips Houlihan on a plane. ”

Declan cut his eyes at Kyle before he answered. “She stays with us.”

“Goddamn, I hope you know what you’re doing. We have fifteen women in Cambodia who are ready for transport. It won’t be pretty. And if Anaya’s with you there will be no way to shield her from it.”

“I can handle it,” I said, praying my voice was stronger than I felt.

I was still recovering from the shock of agreeing to go, when I really wanted to stay in Timor-Leste and help Camilla and Donny. But I didn’t like being talked about like I was some weak woman who couldn’t take care of herself. Not to mention, the Hot Lips dig had crawled under my skin.

“Anaya,” Zane sighed. “I’ve read—”

“I’m sure you have. Everyone seems to have read something about me.

However, you must’ve skipped over the part where I pulled myself out of that life and I did that all by myself.

I’m not thirteen locked away in some basement.

I survived that and have moved on. I’ve dedicated my life to helping people.

Not only did I live through it, but I’ve seen it countless times since then.

I don’t need to be shielded from anything. ”

“I hope you’re prepared, it’s gonna be ugly.”

“It always is,” I returned.