Page 16

It got better and better every time. Not just sex, but everything, including being snuggled up close to Cobble like she was, with nothing pressing to attend to.

Was that because they’d never spent more than a week at a time together since he’d gone into hiding? Or was it that their trysts were always clandestine, furtive, and therefore more exciting because they were almost…forbidden?

Andy didn’t think either of those things were true, but it looked like she’d soon be finding out. Cobble had proposed a way forward that had him finally being free. And that would mean they could get on with…whatever this was. If Cobble came out of it with his life.

His scheme definitely had merit, but she was still worried. How could she not be? In her experience, more than half of all stings she’d been part of went sideways in one way or another. But in those specific instances, any unintended consequences had just been a hazard of the job.

This was different. This was Cobble.

Andy’s only comforts were that her man was smart, and he’d have a kick-ass team behind him that she totally trusted.

She went over the list of those operatives in her head, the first being DAAG Cavateral at the DOJ, who’d proven himself over and over. Then there were Baskins, Smalley, Tertia and a younger member—Agent Sloane Vessers—at the FBI who were one-hundred percent on the up-and-up, and lastly there was the entire SOS crew with whom she’d trust her life.

Andy exhaled gustily, rolled over and looked at Cobble, peaceful on his back beside her, his lids closed. In the fourteen years she’d known him, and in the over five years since they’d become lovers, he’d only grown more dear to her. He was a marvelous human being. Caring, compassionate, and so… conformable . Yes. The man had proven he could adapt to anything. She’d watched him change and fit in at each new place he’d lived. She’d marveled at how he’d taken every new situation in stride while at the same time learning and furthering all kinds of skills. He’d also made new friends so easily.

Then there was her family. They adored him, and they weren’t always easy to impress. Andy knew her parents hoped she and Cobble would end up together, and even though she’d done a good job keeping their love-making as low-key as possible, her mom and dad weren’t stupid. They knew there was something special between their daughter and their “boarder”.

Andy continued to be amazed that Cobble had stayed true to her; picking her to love.

Ooops.

Love? Uh, nope.

Neither of them had actually said the word, but for her part, she was just being cautious. Cobble’s case had gone on for so long, she had no idea when or if the whole thing would finally be over so their future together could be explored.

And now he had this plan.

Damn. Even if they did undertake Cobble’s stratagem, there were still no guarantees. But Andy had to agree with Cobble’s concerns. It was past time to force things to come to a head. They simply didn’t know how things would turn out.

Would he even be alive at the end of this?

Maybe it was dumb to wait on saying the “L” word.

Andy pondered for only another second as she watched Cobble’s chest rise and fall.

Her mind was made up.

“I know you’re awake,” she verbally prodded.

He cracked one eyelid, smirking. “What gave me away?”

She pointed to the tent that had risen reflexively under the blankets.

Cobble snorted. “Oh, that old thing? It’s always stiff when I’m around you.”

“Not always. Your cock is actually cute and soft while you’re sleeping,” she countered with a grin.

“Fine,” he huffed. “I’ll give you that, but are you saying it’s not cute when it’s hard?” he asked with mock incredulousness.

Andy’s lids slid to half-mast. “ Cute is not the word I’d use to describe that magnificent beast when it’s rampaging.”

Clearly assuaged, Cobble grinned, gloating over her description before turning on his side where his expression changed, and he regard her curiously. “Okay. I’ll bite. What’s got you all jazzed?” he asked.

“What makes you think I’m…nervous?” she asked innocently.

“Uh, because your fingers are drumming on the sheets,” he returned, then frowned. “We just had sex, twice, a few hours ago. You should be basking in mellow.”

Andy laughed nervously. “Seriously? Do you know me? Mellow isn’t in my vocabulary, doll.”

He coughed sarcastically. “Forgive me if I disagree. You practically melt into the mattress after I’ve given you an epic orgasm or two,” he countered. “Now tell me. What’s wrong. Are you worried about our plan?”

“ Your plan,” she corrected grumpily. “And of course I am. All sorts of things can go wrong, but…it’s not that.” Andy squinched her eyes closed to rally her courage, then popped them open, determined. “There’s actually…something I have to tell you.”

Cobble was immediately up on one elbow, regarding her with concern. “What is it? Everything is alright, isn’t it? You’re not sick? Your family is all okay? We’re good?” He pointed to Andy, then to himself.

“Settle down,” Andy told him with a huff. “It’s nothing bad. At least I don’t think it is.”

Cobble didn’t settle, but he did punch his pillow into place to prop his head up on it instead of his elbow so he could watch her carefully.

“Spill it, Andy.”

She wished it was that easy.

She opened and closed her mouth several times, but the words wouldn’t emerge.

“Okay. Here. How about I help you.”

Andy gave him a nod, and swallowed the lump that had arisen in her throat.

Good. Cobble was going to take pity on her and lighten the atmosphere for a few minutes while she found her tongue.

Why then, was he staring at so earnestly?

Andy looked at him questioningly, then felt a flicker of unease as he reached for and took her hand, kissing her knuckles.

“I know what’s eating at you, and because of an upcoming—and possibly jeopardous—outcome, you need to have it said out loud. And…I’m brave enough to go first,” he declared. He drew in a deep breath that expanded his already large chest. “I love you, too , Andy.”

“Wha…?”

Had he just—?

“You do?” she squeaked. “I mean, I do. No. No. That’s not what I mean. Well, it is, but…” she paused and regrouped, looking bemusedly into Cobble’s now delighted face. “Dammit, Cobble. How did you know?”

“Aww, come on Andy,” he replied. “We’ve been dancing around this for years. And not just the time between when we first made love and now. Even before we had that first, and very epic encounter in the bunker, we both knew. But things were always in flux, so neither one of us dared to say the words. Not even in the safety of your parents’ compound.”

She thought he was finished, but he added a kicker.

“I talked to your Mom about it, you know,” he revealed.

“What? You did?” Again, her voice cracked.

“Mmm, hmm. And wise woman that she is, she told me you felt the same,” he added smugly.

“Wait. How did she know? I never told her.”

“Not in so many words you didn’t. But she said she was sure of it, which went a long way toward making my situation bearable,” he admitted. “Why do you think I’ve been able to maintain my sanity over these last legs of my confinement?”

When Andy didn’t answer, Cobble continued.

“It’s because I continued to believe in a future where we could be together, that’s why,” he filled in the blank. “A future where I wouldn’t be on the run, and we could make plans and work together toward everything we’ve ever dreamed of.” He got an impish look on his face. “You agree, right?”

“With all that? Uh, yeah. Sure,” she managed.

He grinned broadly. “So. Are you going to say it, then?”

Andy felt like she’d been dropped into an alternate universe; one where she floundered, unsure of herself, but in a good way. Reason had flown completely out of her head, and she was running on raw instinct. It almost felt like she was glowing from within over Cobble’s unabashed declaration. His were the best words she’d ever heard, but she had to get control of herself, or she’d end up happy-crying all over him again.

Andy took a deep breath. She sought grounding to answer him back.

When that didn’t work, she straightened her shoulders and gave herself a mental smack. She was still the irreverent and caustic Mizzay. She had a reputation to uphold. Instead of getting all sappy, she needed to keep Cobble on his toes.

“What is it that I’m supposed to say to you?” she asked innocently, stretching until the sheet slid from her upper torso, revealing her already-been-loved breasts.

“Imp,” Cobble growled, reaching out and covering one orb with his hand. “You know what I want to hear.”

“I do?” she pondered mischievously, tapping her lip and trying to ignore the light fondle on her flesh that she wished was firmer.

Cobble rolled his eyes and a nipple. “Okay. How about I make you a deal?”

She snorted, but leaned into his touch. That didn’t make her weak, did it?

“What kind of deal?”

He thought for a second. “I’ll let you be on top next time we fuck, if you tell me you love me.”

Andy convulsed with laughter, her nipple chafing against his palm with the movement, making her think she might want to wrap up this conversation and get back to some action, fast. Still… This was fun.

“I was on top last time,” she sassed back. “Or have you forgotten?”

“Uh, uh. I haven’t. How could I forget these lovely tits bouncing above my face. But,” he wagged his free finger at her. “You were unable to continue and follow through after we made it to the home stretch,” he countered cheekily. “If you recall, your knees gave out. We had to switch places, and I had to get us to the finish line.”

“Ten seconds,” she scoffed incredulously. “I did all the work except for the last ten seconds ,” she sassed sternly.

“Right. Because I’m that good, and got us off quickly,” he preened. “Now. Back to business. Unless you want me to tickle you mercilessly, you’ll tell me what I know I deserve to hear.”

Andy couldn’t help but laugh again. “Cobble? Are you forgetting that you’re the ticklish one of the two of us?” She sent a hand toward his abdomen, but he sucked it in quickly, keeping it away from her questing fingers.

“Now, now. Let’s not get pedantic here,” he cautioned, sliding away an inch or two on the mattress out of caution. “I think we’re straying from the subject.”

Andy’s joy could no longer be contained.

She gave in. Because she wanted to.

“You’re right, Cobble,” she told him, and this time her touch went to his face, where she stroked his lovely, bristly cheek. “I do love you. I’ve loved you for a long time. Probably since before all this started and I was just your infatuated LT.”

Damn. It felt so good to get that off her chest. Andy blinked a few times to settle, then leaned in and placed a reverent kiss on Cobble’s smiling lips.

“But I promise, from here on out there’ll be no more holding back,” she assured him, her voice going uncustomarily soft. “If we only have these last few days together, I want total honesty between us.”

“Now, now,” he soothed, stroking her side gently from armpit to hip. “Let’s not get maudlin. Everything is going to work out perfectly.”

She placed a finger on his mouth and shook her head. “Don’t say that. You’ll jinx things.”

“You’re not superstitious,” Cobble retorted with a grunt. “But I get it. For your peace of mind, I won’t put any bad juju out there. How about we skip right over any more mention of our upcoming sting, and concentrate on what our lives will be like a few months down the road?”

Andy could handle that. She nodded.

He stared over her shoulder and got a dreamy look on his face, if that was a thing with someone who appeared so rugged.

“You’ll introduce me to Rory, who’s going to love me.”

Andy snorted. Cobble ignored her.

“Then I’ll have to meet all your friends at SOS, and your two previous bosses. All your colleagues will think I’m so awesome they’ll immediately offer me a job,” he teased. “And as soon as I’m earning a decent paycheck, we’ll buy a house, settle down, and get married.”

“Married?” she marveled, loving his stream of consciousness. “You aren’t…asking, are you?”

Cobble shook his head. “Not yet. Not until the mission-that-shall-not-be-named is behind us.”

Andy sighed, but she’d made the rules, so she couldn’t fault him.

“What else?” she asked.

“Well, of course we’ll be having a slew of kids,” he stated audaciously.

“A slew, huh?” Andy snickered, but she could picture it. She had pictured it, many times over the past few years. But that still seemed like a far-off dream.

More pragmatically, she reviewed what else he’d said. A house. A job.

Andy had no doubt that Cobble would be a welcome asset at SOS, and Del wouldn’t dare say no to her if she asked him to hire Cobble. Not that Cobble needed fluffing. He was exactly the type of hire Del was always looking for.

And as for buying a home together? Yes, to that .

Neither she nor Cobble were hurting for money. For fourteen years Cobble had worked and saved without having to pay for his safe houses. Chuck had been socking it away for his cousin all along. She knew Cobble had enough for more than a healthy downpayment. And she was no slouch. With her assets and his combined, they might not even have to take out a mortgage. It was a heady thought for someone who’d always pinched pennies and taken care of herself.

“Maybe two, but we’ll see,” Cobble amended with a wink, bringing her head back around to the “slew of children” comment he’d made, before he poked her again.

“And now, my sweet girl, say those special words once more. Then we can go heat up some of that Chinese food.”

Yup. Cobble’s stomach had been doing a rolling growl for the past ten minutes, and far be it from her to let her man starve.

Besides, the words felt good, finally allowed to fly from her mouth.

“I love you,” she said, looking directly into Cobble’s beautiful brown eyes.

The man of her soul smiled beatifically and gathered her close for a heart-stopping kiss before pulling back to smooth an errant hair behind one of her ears. “I love you, too, Andy,” he declared reverently. Then he reverted to cheeky.

“Best kiss, ever,” he stated enthusiastically, as was his standard.

Andy, thinking she might bawl, kissed Cobble back quickly, rolled over, leaped out of bed, and grabbed her clothes off the floor.

“Just, uh, give me a minute in the bathroom, and I’ll join you in the kitchen.” She dabbed at her eyes, hoping he didn’t notice.

Cobble looked at her with uncanny understanding.

“Take all the time you want.”