Hostile Ground (The Arsenal #7) - Cara Carnes Page 0,122

so I figured we’d end it. You’re out of that world. I want to help make sure you don’t go back.”

“I’m not.” Kristof looked over at Addy. “Even if things don’t work out with…I’m not going back.”

“Good.” Jud followed his gaze. “She’s worth the fight. She’s a lot like us, but you already know that. Don’t give up. She’ll come around in her own time. The others will eventually start helping her get there.”

“Once they make sure I’m worthy of her.” Kristof chuckled. “I’m not sure I am.”

“We aren’t ever sure of that.” Jud grinned when Vi stood and started toward them. “You’re worth it. One day you’ll see it, too. Until then, I’ll kick your ass whenever you steer the wrong direction.”

“That’s the second time you mentioned fighting me. I’m sensing a theme.”

Jud laughed outright and slapped him on the back. He greeted his wife with a kiss on the mouth.

“Is everything okay?” Vi wrapped her arm around his waist.

No, but it would be. Kristof wanted what Jud had carved out for himself. He wanted a family. Kids.

Love.

He took a deep breath. Jud smirked. Yeah, the bastard knew exactly what he’d done just now. He’d detonated any reasons Kristof had for not hanging around. He’d shown him why it was worth the risk, then assured him he’d have help.

Jud turned and headed back toward the picnic area with Vi.

“Jud.” His friend turned. “Thanks.”

Darkness cloaked The Arsenal by the time Addy had handled everything on her to-do list. Her team was settled back into their rooms and everyone was full thanks to Momma Mason and her brood of helpers.

With no action steps currently available for Mandrake or the weaponry, she was free to relax and enjoy being home. With Kristof.

Anticipation surged within her as she took the two steps up and halted on the small cottage’s porch. Had they put Kristof and Olaf in the cottage next to hers and Bree’s intentionally, or had it simply been a convenient mistake?

She smiled and knocked on the door. Her stomach churned as nervousness crawled beneath her skin. Some ops hadn’t incited such a heightened response.

The door opened. Kristof stood there, chest bare. Cotton, drawstring shorts hung loosely around his waist. She swiped her tongue across her lips as she recalled the taste of his skin, the heat of his cock when she’d grasped it. The flavor of him in her mouth.

Of her.

“Hey.” Drowsiness deepened his voice as he stepped back. “Come in.”

“I woke you up. I should’ve realized you’d be sleeping.” She should have been asleep hours ago.

“Come inside, Addy.” He stroked her hair. She definitely needed to restore her original color soon.

She stepped inside. Her pulse quickened when he closed the door and locked it. Why the hell was she so nervous?

“Hey.” He splayed a hand on her upper back.

Pleasure sparked within her when he claimed her mouth. The slow, sensuous fusion calmed her nerves but incited the desire she’d fought all day. Seeing him here, at her new home with her friends, had awakened something in her—a primal need she couldn’t explain.

She settled one hand behind his head and the other at his waist. Heat rolled through her hands from his bare skin. They were alone. For the first time since they’d arrived, nothing existed except him.

Severing the kiss, she drew her shirt above her head and tossed it to the ground. Kristof’s gaze swept down her as he grinned. Tingles marched along her skin wherever he looked. Emboldened by the hunger etched on his face, she toed off her shoes and unzipped her cargo pants.

“Green lace suits you.” He traced the lacy edges of her bra, then angled downward along her ribcage. “I should’ve known you’d wear something sexy beneath your operative uniform.”

She didn’t always, but the feminine underwear was her rebellion—a reminder that she was more than what she did. She hadn’t always worn sexy bras and panties, but she’d embraced their existence within her wardrobe more since arriving at The Arsenal. Kristof had reinforced that reminder in Russia.

Their first time together the other night entrenched itself as one of the best nights of Addy’s life. She wanted more of those. With him.

She splayed her hands on his chest and peered up into his intense gaze. “I’ve been wanting to do this since we arrived.”

“Me too.” He wrapped his arms around her and kissed along her neck. “It’s been a long day. You’re tired.”

“So are you.” She traced beneath his eyes. “Let’s go back to bed. I’ll tuck