Page 66 of Secret Mission

She softens against me. Nestling close, making the cot creak below us. “Is your brother out of surgery?”

The worry in her voice makes me want to kiss the fuck out of her.

Ally is such a sweetheart. She defends me like a honey badger, but she genuinely cares about Axle, who has given her plenty of reasons to dislike him.

“He’s in recovery. Doing well. Gonna be fine.”

A relieved exhale follows. Along with more wiggles to get closer to me. “How did you get in bed without waking me?”

Her voice is rusty from sleep, and it’s the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard.

I’m the lucky bastard that’s going to hear that every morning. Forever.

This is already decided. Even if she doesn’t know it yet.

I grin at the ceiling like a lovesick fool, because I am. “I’ve got all kinds of covert skills.”

Among other skills, which we will have years to explore.

With a feminine little laugh, her arm bands across my chest, right over where my heart is thumping a happy beat. “How does the King of the Jungle feel?”

Her sense of humor still surprises me. “Itchy. All these little fucking bandages?—”

“Are perfect.”

I tug her closer, memorizing the way her warm soft curves lock to my shape like they were made to fit there. “No, baby,you’re perfect.”

“I haven’t bathed in days, I’m wearing the same clothes, my hair probably has animals living in it, my fingernails are just gross, and you think I’m perfect?”

Yep. And I can’t stop smiling, so I press my grin into her hair.

The scent of the ocean clings to the long riot of strands.

“Perfect for me. I like wild things.”

Grumbles follow, but she buries her face against my chest.

“It’s true. I’ve never cared for makeup and up-dos or whatever the fuck those fancy hairstyles are. I love a woman that will camp, swim in the ocean, and run around in the woods.”

“And dig up archeology sites?”

“Sure. But you’ve never told me what you do exactly.”

“You’d really like to know?”

I brush some stray locks of hair back and study her pretty face, looking down at her cheek propped on my chest. “I want to know everything about you.”

“You’re a strange breed, McMillon Reese.”

Savoring the sound of my name on her tongue. I just hold still for a beat.

“I’m the wild variety.”

We breathe together in time for a few minutes, until I slide my fingers into her hair, brushing against her scalp. She purrs. “Yes… that’s so nice.”

Pleasant tingling starts in my hands and grows into a warm glow inside my ribs.

I’ve never fantasized about conditioning a woman’s hair, but I’m thinking a long hot shower together with my fingers massaging her scalp will be a major win for both of us.