Page 18 of Rogue Mission

“How about we chat later. Right now, I've got a job to do.”

But we need to get some things straight. Namely her clothes. Because the rest of the team is NOT seeing her like this.

“Listen up, I need your full cooperation. This has to happen fast before we're detected,” I warn, as much of a reminder to myself.

Her expression has gone from defiant to worried and seeing the small crease between her brows makes my stomach clench.

Something in my chest twists. I don't like seeing her afraid. Especially not me.

“It's okay,” I reassure her. “I've done this before. My teammate is in the building, and our team leader is keeping an eye on us too.”

Biting her lip, she nods. “You look like you should know what you're doing.”

Is that a compliment?

My heart beat revs up a notch.

“It comes from lots of practice,” I assure her.

Something about the way she's looking at me causes me to feel both hot and cold.

Just do your damned job.

“Back to what I was saying. Here's the plan,” I drop my voice to a whisper near her ear. “We're exiting the building and we're going to be moving in the dark to a spot over a klick away.”

“That's a mile?” She asks, totally serious, following everything I say.

“You're close. A kilometer.”

I smooth her shirt down, refusing to do the same with her skirt. There's no way I'd be able to think straight—or walk—if I smoothed my hands over her hips.

“My teammate will meet us, then we'll get you somewhere safe.”

She listens intently, absorbing the words as well as every movement of my mouth.

“Once we start moving.” My words are getting huskier and huskier. “I need you to stay close. Do everything I say. Do you copy?”

She nods, but when she pushes her hair back her hand is shaking. “I understand.”

“I'm sorry I scared you,” I say, swamped with guilt.

I should have made my intent clear the moment I saw her. But,no.Instead, I talked about her breasts.

Way to fucking go, JT.

“Do you feel safe with me? Because I need you to trust me.”

Her next question hits me out of left field. “Do you want me to lie?”

“Never. Never lie to me Rosalie. You have my word, I'll never lie to you.”

“I think I trust you, but I was scared,” she says, fiddling with a small gold chain at the base of her throat. “Try being chased by someone like you.”

Her admission makes me feel ten times more guilty about scaring her.

“I know, sweetheart. I'm sorry.”

Growling, I plant my hand on the wall above her head.