Grant continued to stare at her. If he asked, if he begged, would she let him stay?Melody tipped her chin up and looked at him, her eyes shining in the bright lights. "I just want to sleep, Grant. It's notme saying we're over, it's me saying I'm tired and I'd like some space. Okay?"He nodded, and though he believed her, his instincts said to stick close.Melody took a step, went up on tip-toe with her hands braced on his shoulders and gently kissed his lips. Before he could reach for her, she backed away.He grit his teeth, both frustrated and hopeful all at once."Good night," she said."Night, Button. Sleep tight."Her eyes narrowed.Yeah, so maybe he was using the name more often. So what? He was going to remind her at every turn what they were to each other, how much she mattered. At least she was telling him what she wanted. That was some kind of start.Grant let himself out of Melody's room and shut the door behind him. The main space of the flat was empty and
Saturday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY DIDN'T THINK SHE'D ever been happy to see the original Aegis Group campus. It reminded her of summer camp what with all the painted cinderblock dorm style rooms. After fifteen hours spent at airports and in the air, she'd be happy for a stationary cardboard box.She nudged the door to her private quarters for now and shut behind her and blew out her first easy breath since...she couldn't remember when.For weeks she'd been in a state of anticipation, waffling on what to do between her and Grant, which had made both her personal and professional time tense.After breaking up with Grant at the beach house on Ibiza, she hadn't experienced the kind of relief she'd hoped for. She'd been sad, morose and regretful that things hadn't turned out differently. And then there was everything that had happened between then and now.It was over.At least her role in getting everyone home safe.The responsibility for their
GRANT KNEW HE WAS deviating from their routine. Until this op, they'd been strict about keeping a distinct line between professional and personal time. But even that personal time had set expectations. They did specific activities, almost always followed by sex.The long flight had given him plenty of time to think about that fact.The bedrock of their relationship was built on a couple hate fucks. They hadn't particularity liked each other in the beginning, but after they'd been together it changed.He liked sex with Melody, but he also liked her as a person.It was time they did something else. Started a new routine. And for that, he had a plan."Mind if I sit?" he asked.Melody gave her head a little shake then glanced around the room. There was a desk chair or the bed."Sure." She gestured at the mattress."Want a drink first?"Melody perched on the edge of the bed, staring at him with a kind of shocked expression. He'd surprised her. Good."I'd like that, yes," sh
Saturday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY STARED AT GRANT, her heart doing cartwheels while her head tried to be reasonable.Her brain was losing.Grant had listened to her. He'd just shown her he knew more about her than she'd given him credit for, and all that had taken was one paper bag. It took real self-control to not just throw herself at him and tell him she loved him.But was he telling her the truth? Did he intend to change? Or was this a bait and switch? Would things go back to the way they'd been once this was over?"It's up to you, Button. You are right, I can't tell you what to do and I don't get to make the final decision about us. You do. Selfishly," he smiled a bit, but it didn't reach his eyes, "I want this to work out. But seeing as how much of an idiot I've been I'm not entirely sure I deserve that chance."Her throat was completely dry. She couldn't speak. His words undid her.He wasn't doubling down, telling her how things were
Melody loved this man. Under all the gruffness, he had a heart of gold.His fingers hooked in the waistband of her pants, tugging them down a bit. He pressed a kiss to the newly exposed skin and then another. He pealed her panties and pants off her, his lips worshiping her skin as it was revealed, as if he'd never seen her naked before.The way Grant looked at her, how he kissed and touched her, always made her feel beautiful.He sat back on his heels at the foot of the bed looking up her body.Her heart strained against her ribs, swelling too big for her body. Because of him.Grant leaned forward, sliding a knee between her calves. The other forced her legs apart."Missed a spot," he said.Heat swept through her a moment before he ducked his head and planted a kiss against her folds. Her body was already pulsing with need. That touch, it was just too much.She lifted her hips, shifting away from him, but he braced his forearm across her abdomen while his tongue delved
Sunday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.GRANT COULD REMEMBER HIS first time being led through the main building housing the original Aegis Group offices. He'd angled for an invitation since the day he'd been forced out of the SEALs. Since he wasn't ready to be done with the type of work that involved high-risk situations he'd been pleased to get the referral to the company. There were plenty of companies that had set up shop in the last few decades, but they weren't all equal. Aegis Group was one of the best.It had been the right call for him, even now all these years later. Only, it was better because he had Melody.She sank into the wooden chair next to him as they settled in to wait for Admiral Crawford to see them."I thought I heard that he was retiring for good," Melody said under her breath.Grant didn't reply immediately. Two people walked out of the office, their heads together, expressions serious."I think the news of his retirement is premature,
Sunday. Aegis Group Headquarters, Chicago, Illinois.MELODY FELT BETTER FOR having clothes that actually fit her. Merida had totally looked out for her and sent a delivery with the works including everything from jeans to a bra. There hadn't been any face wash or her favorite pajamas. Those were things Merida didn't know about her. But that's what Melody had Grant for.The grass swished around her feet as she strolled across the lawn behind the main buildings. Trainees and teams used the area to work out first thing in the morning and in the afternoons it was blocked off to use for training purposes. But for this window, it was just her, her thoughts, the crisp air and a couple birds overhead.Well, almost."I always think it's strange how we call this the Chicago office, but the Chicago suburbs are half an hour away."Melody turned her head and watched Grant walk toward her. She'd been wondering when he'd find her again. It hadn't taken that long."It is a bit misleadin
Sunday. Private Medical Research Facility, Chicago, Illinois.THE WHITE AND BEIGE hall stretched out ahead of Grant as he followed behind Admiral Crawford to where Ethan Turner had taken up residence, albeit against his will. Grant hadn't seen much of the facility, but seriously doubted their ability to protect Ethan. A trained team would bust in and mow through the staff with next to no problems. There were too many points of entry. Not enough reinforced doors. Too much glass. It was all round a bad location.Moving Ethan was the right call."Here he is." Admiral Crawford gestured at the last door on their left.He led the way into the small room preceding Ethan's holding cell. Two techs were monitoring devices while through the window a familiar man sat slumped forward over his meal. An IV bag was positioned next to him, feeding liquids and hopefully sedatives into him."How did you knock him out?" Melody asked.Grant grimaced. "Drug his food?""No. A method of sedat