together, but she was thrilled he’d come with them to pick her up.
“Hi, sweetheart,” he said, walking over to her. He looked relaxed and calm, but she could see the emotion in his dark eyes. The green shirt he had on set off his tanned skin, and he looked healthy and strong. A few women glanced his way, and her heart pounded with the knowledge that he only had eyes for her.
“You came!” she said, throwing herself into his arms.
Grayson chuckled beside him as Ethan caught her in his embrace, but she didn’t care. She’d missed seeing Ethan this week. They’d talked one night on the phone, briefly, and she was embarrassed to admit his deep voice had lulled her to sleep. Most nights she woke up in a panic, but when she’d heard his soothing timbre? It was like she knew she was safe.
Now with Ethan’s strong arms around her and his clean, masculine scent filling her nose as she buried her face in the crook of his neck, she felt safer than she had since the moment they’d parted. His hard, muscular body pressed up against hers made her feel all sorts of things she hadn’t expected.
Ethan was virile and strong. She wasn’t ready to jump into a relationship, obviously, but wow. She loved the feeling of his arms around her, of his body holding her close. They’d texted throughout the week, and she was thrilled he’d come to the airport.
“I wasn’t sure if you’d want me here,” he admitted, his lips at her ear.
“What?” she asked, pulling back to look up at him as she clutched onto his forearms. “Of course, I would! Why would you think that?”
He shrugged. “I didn’t want to interrupt your reunion with Hailey. I know you two have been looking forward to seeing each other. But I figured you’ll have several days to catch up with her, and if you want to talk right away, I can hang with Ghost at the apartment.”
Kim nodded as she searched his face. He was completely sincere. He’d hang out with his buddy if she needed some private girl time with Hailey. He’d just wanted to be there for her. Kim clutched onto his hand, not missing the way Hailey’s eyes widened as she and Grayson walked closer. He said hi and then grabbed her suitcase since she was holding onto Ethan. “How was your flight?” Grayson asked.
“Would it be awful to admit it was more comfortable than the military plane?” she asked. “My parents upgraded my ticket to first class. I told them I didn’t need it, but my dad had a lot of miles, so….” She shrugged. “It was kind of weird being surrounded by a plane full of strangers though. I’m not used to being out in public or seeing lots of people yet. I was on edge the entire time.”
“You look good!” Hailey said.
“I don’t,” Kim protested. “I lost weight, my hair is still a mess, and I haven’t been sleeping well.”
“Maybe we should head out,” Ethan said, and Kim realized a few people had stopped to watch them. Did they recognize her? Or were they just nosy?
Her image had been broadcast far and wide when the media got word of her rescue. She didn’t appreciate having her photograph splashed across the evening news, but then again, she’d been thankful for the attention at first. Her story getting out could’ve been what prompted the military to speed up her rescue, and she’d never regret that.
“We all rode in Ethan’s SUV since Grayson has a pickup truck. I could’ve driven, but I was too excited and nervous to see you,” Hailey admitted.
“I can hardly believe I’m here,” Kim said, looking around the airport as they walked out. “The last time I saw you was in our building back in Bagram.”
“Yeah,” Hailey said. “I went back to my room after we talked in the lobby.” She sniffled slightly, and Kim let go of Ethan’s hand, wrapping her arm around her friend’s shoulders.
“We’re okay,” Kim said soothingly. “We’re both okay.”
Tears streamed down Hailey’s face as she looked at her. “I know, I just feel so guilty. Why were you taken and not me? What if we’d stayed in the lobby and talked longer? Maybe we would’ve run outside together, and you would’ve been okay. I went upstairs to get something to eat. That seems so trivial and silly now.”
“Or maybe we both would’ve been kidnapped,” Kim said gently. “It’s no more your fault than mine.”