Power Switch (Power Play #3) - Kennedy L. Mitchell Page 0,22

through my nose, pushing out the earlier annoyance. Fingers in her hair, I tuck her head against my chest, then rake them through the soft strands. With each stroke, my earlier anger at the world disintegrates.

“It'll be okay, Mess,” I whisper. Her head lifts, lips parted, but I capture her mouth with my own before she can get a word out. “Let's just relax, hang out. Let everything else wait. I need this, just us acting like there’s nothing else going on, even if it's just for a few minutes. Let's pretend to be a normal couple for just a little while,” I say against her lips, my eyes searching her wide hazel ones.

“Okay, Trouble.” With another quick peck, she lowers her head and snuggles deeper into the chair, moving me out of the way until she’s comfortable. “Wanna watch a movie?”

Unable to resist, I press my lips to the top of her head and smile. “Sure, baby.” Stretching to the side table, I swipe the remote off the metal top and press a few buttons. The massive TV comes alive with SportsCenter as their voices boom from the surround sound. “What do you want to watch?”

No response comes. Tucking my chin, I search her face and smile when I find her eyes closed. Leaning back, I press the button that extends the leg portion of the recliner and leans the backrest backward. She grumbles as the chair moves but doesn't wake.

With another soft kiss to the crown of her head, I rest my head back and close my eyes, savoring the moment. I know it won't last long, but I wish with all that I have that it would.

6

Randi

A loud noise interrupts the peaceful sleep I'd slipped into. Blinking a few times, I keep my cheek nestled against Trey's chest as I fight the lingering drowsiness that always comes after taking too long of a nap. Trey's arm tightens around my waist, preventing me from wiggling out of his snug hold.

Lifting my head, I search the room. T sits on the couch, eyes glued to the baseball game playing on the massive screen. His attention swings to me before focusing back on the game.

“How long was I out?” I whisper to not wake Trey.

“Nearly two hours,” he says, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips. “Playboy there fell asleep almost immediately after you. I'd say you both needed a break.”

I let out a deep breath and lay my head back on Trey's chest. “Two hours,” I say in disbelief as the realization shatters the peaceful calm. My mind races with all the things I need to do. Adrenaline pumps through my veins, dispersing the lingering effects of the nap. “I need to go.”

T shakes his head. “You're right where you need to be.” His eyes leave the screen to meet mine. “You both have a lot on your plate. You need times like this to make it through it all.” I swallow back the emotions his words evoke and nod in agreement. “It won't be easy, but the stuff worth fighting for never is. But you have to realize he's under just as much pressure as you are. Different pressure, but it's there. Add in this new challenge with the DOJ, and our boy here's near the snapping point.”

“What about the DOJ?” I whisper, stealing a quick look up to make sure Trey's still asleep.

Tank shakes his head. “Sam might be someone we can trust with whatever shit Birmingham's stirring up, but can you trust yourself around him?”

Heat flashes beneath my cheeks. “What's that supposed to mean?”

Tank shoots me a knowing look. “We're not blind, Randi. He's a good-looking man who will probably be around a lot over the next few months. Add in the fact that you two connect on a different level than you and Benson here because of the law school stuff, and it's a concern for him. It's one more thing on his mind, something else for him to worry about when it comes to you. Not only is he worried about your safety—even more so now that Birmingham has a target on your back—but now he has to worry about some other man encroaching on what he considers his.”

“Yeah, I mean, he's attractive and all, but he's not Trey.”

“You say that now,” T says on a groan as he stands and stretches his thick arms above his head. “But what about when you're spending hours on end together as you piece together