Page 101 of Lucky Charm

Whether it was the whole of the man, the mouth on hers, or the moment, his kiss laid a deep claim that would spook her except that she’d already accepted he was hers.

He pulled back, breaking the kiss. “I come bearing gifts.”

She pulled back, hands behind her back, like a waiting child. “What?”

He pulled one can and then another of root beer from his pocket. Then reached into his cargo pants pocket and took out a package of chocolates.

Delighted, she went on tiptoe and kissed him again. “How did you get root beer?”

“I have a source.”

“Those are Mama Sylvie’s chocolates from the candy stall in the market.”

“Yes. I heard from someone you might like those.”

“Who told on me?”

“I like to think they are giving me hints to make you happy.”

“Duncan?”

“I’m not telling you.” He handed her the chocolate and with an arm around her herded her to the bed. “Sit.”

She wrapped her arm around him and leaned against his chest. “Are you sure that’s all?”

“No, but yes.” He kissed her again in the thorough, gentle way that stirred her heart. “No twenty-minute quickie. My phone can go off at any time, and I don’t want caught with my pants down and a whole load of not-finished frustration. Besides, I want to talk.”

“About?”

“Me, you, us, the weather, Thanksgiving. Anything.” He popped the top on her root beer and handed it over, then opened his and sat next to her. “Rumor is we’re having a big-name guest on Thanksgiving. Security has tightened.”

“I heard that, too. I can hardly wait to be home next year to cook.”

“You cook?”

She leaned into him and laughed. “Yes, I cook. I love to cook and bake.”

“Score!” He grinned. “How’s work?”

She stayed close to him and got into the spirit of conversation. “Busy. The ramped-up missions brought us the usual corresponding injuries. I take it no results yet?”

“Minor discoveries mostly, but it feels like we’re getting to the core of it. Might be me, though.”

“I’d trust your instinct with my life. Oh wait, I have.” She grinned at him.

“There was a suicide bomber in Pakistan this morning, over the border.” Hunt’s quiet recitation made her settle to listen closely.

“We heard. Seventeen killed. Ninety injured.” She dropped the candy on the bed and reached for his hand. “Who? IQS?”

“Don’t know. No one is claiming it. Could be Taliban. The one near Kandahar a couple days ago was Taliban for sure. Be watchful.”

She stroked his hand. “I will be. I should tell you I told Duncan about us.”

Hunt set his root beer on the nightstand and pulled her close. “You can tell anyone you want about us. You don’t have to keep anything secret. My whole team knows. The only reason Scott doesn’t ask directly is because he’s a commander and has a certain responsibility to report things. I don’t want to put him in that position.”

“I did not tell Colonel Banner either for the same reasons. Colonel Cartwright knows, though. She figured it out before the mountain mission and told me to go after you.

Hunt grinned. “No wonder,” he whispered.