sleep shorts and camisole. With his arms wrapped around her, he tucked her into his embrace, glad when she soon fell asleep.
Cobb lay in bed awake, his mind on overload. Their relationship had changed completely from what they’d shared the day before. He had struggled with his attraction toward her, even with the knowledge that the other Keepers, men and women he held in the highest regard, had fallen for someone on a mission. He’d always wondered if that breached any ethical line. But even Mace, the most upright man he’d ever worked for, had never felt his relationship with Sylvie and her son, David, to be a violation of ethics or a conflict of interest. In fact, none of the Keepers seemed to struggle with the issue. And seeing their relationships, Cobb would never judge them, knowing each of them to be in love.
His father and grandfather had emphasized watching everything he did when he was growing up, knowing the media and constituency would be looking for fault. He knew many people’s opinions of politicians were that they were all unscrupulous. But his father and grandfather, plus many he’d had the distinct pleasure of knowing, were hard-working, concerned civil servants. As far as he knew, Josie’s father was the same.
But regardless of his previous ideas of mixing pleasure and business, the change in his relationship with Josie had blown his doubts right out of his mind. He’d handed the choice to Josie, she chose him, and he was going to go forward with the relationship.
Thinking of her brought a smile to his face. The same smile that had stayed on his face all during the day. He’d had plenty of sexual partners over the years, but not as many recently. When he was young, stupid, newly in the military, and then as a SEAL, women had been easy to get when he was not on a mission. Sex was usually a physical release, emotions not factoring in at all. He had dated a few women over the years, but those relationships ended quickly as soon as he realized nothing was holding them together. Cobb had never wanted to be with a woman once he determined that there was nothing more permanent in their future.
But sex with Josie had been by far the best he’d ever had. She was an unselfish lover, wanting to give as much as she took. Quiet and soft-spoken worked for him. She wasn’t a pushover, but she also wasn’t in his face, and he found himself wanting her in a way he’d never wanted with another woman.
The moonlight filtered through the blinds, casting a soft glow over the bed. His breath halted as he stared at her sleeping face devoid of signs of worry and wanted this for her each night. Pulling her in tighter, he finally found sleep, resting in the comfort of her body tucked into his.
The next morning over breakfast, her brow was furrowed as she nibbled on toast.
“What’s on your mind, babe?”
She blinked, so lost in thought that the words appeared to have startled her, so he continued. “For someone who should have a smile on their face after last night, I may need to rethink my technique.”
She threw her head back and laughed, then reached out with her free hand and laid it on his arm. With a squeeze and her smile still on her face, she said, “Believe me, there’s nothing wrong with your technique.”
He smoothed his finger over her brow. “Then what’s got your forehead crinkled with thoughts?”
“I was just thinking about going into the office today. I know we’ve been riding together, but I have a dilemma this morning. I’ve got a home visit to make with an elderly woman who had been abused for years by her husband. He’s gone now, but she’s very skittish around men. When she comes into the clinic, she won’t even let Mark take a look at her. I have to have Laurie do everything.”
Shrugging, he took another sip of coffee. “That’s okay. I’ll just stay in the car.”
“I’m not sure that will work with her. She always stands at the window and watches as I drive in. If she sees you driving and me getting out of your vehicle, I’m not sure she’ll trust that.”
“What do you suggest? Because I don’t want to leave you without eyes on you.”
“I know it seems a bit ridiculous, but can we drive separately? Separately to the clinic and then separately to her house.