Kauffman where Dr. McCormick was concerned.
Xavier seemed reluctant to leave, but fatigue was also riding him hard. They walked slowly back to the main building and the waiting helicopter, enjoying the beautiful surroundings and manicured landscape. Swans and Canada geese crossed their path on their way to the reedy shore, and Sarah even spied a small white egret standing in the shallows.
“These grounds are really beautiful.” She had a plastic bag filled with her dirty clothes and weapons in one hand, the other hand was held securely in Xavier’s. He was still in uniform, so he was still visibly armed. She’d thought it wise to keep her weapon hidden, considering her nonregulation state of dress.
“I never knew this place was here before our mission started. Who knew a world-class biomedical research facility was hidden up here in this upscale neighborhood?”
“I’d heard about it, but I never had reason to come here before. I’ve been down Northern Boulevard a time or two, and the big landmark across the road is the fish hatchery. Other than that, I’ve passed right by this place any number of times without even realizing it. The town is fun, too. They have a lot of little touristy shops.”
“Maybe someday I’ll have reason to return under better circumstances.” He squeezed her hand.
The way he looked at her made her breath catch. Did he mean to imply some future visit with her? She wasn’t sure, but the promise in his eyes made her hope. She settled for a noncommittal answer, just to be on the safe side. She didn’t want to look like a fool, after all, just in case they weren’t on the same page here.
“That would be nice.”
“What would be even nicer right now”—he drew her closer, facing him, bending his head so his forehead touched hers in an intimate caress—“would be if we were back at your place, in that big bed of yours.”
“I vote for that.” Her voice was breathless as his head dipped lower. His mouth caught hers in a tender caress that made her knees quake. His arms came around her, steadying her and pulling her against his hard body.
In the idyllic setting of the dawn-lit cove with nature all around, he kissed her. For this moment they could comfort each other with hugs, kisses and caresses after the horrors of the night.
“I thought I’d lost you, baby.”
Xavier’s voice came to her as a rough whisper when he broke the kiss and crushed her to his chest in a warm, wonderful, welcoming hug.
“I’m not that easy to get rid of.” She stroked his back, feeling the emotion he tried hard to suppress in the rigidity of his muscles.
“Thank heaven for that.” He eased off, letting her go by slow degrees. “This has been one hell of a night.”
“You can say that again. I’m just glad Sam survived.”
“Yeah, me, too.” He tucked her under his arm and they began walking again. “Between you and him, I think I lost a couple of years of my life just in worry.”
“You were worried about little old me?”
“Silly, I know.” He bussed the crown of her head as they walked along, in no particular hurry to get to the chopper. “Damn, baby. You cut yourself out of a harness; that’s going to give me nightmares for the rest of my life.”
“Really? Why?” She heard real fear in his voice.
He slowed his steps. “You had to have felt so helpless.”
His voice dropped so that she could just barely hear his words.
“I can’t even imagine being so totally immobilized and at the mercy of a madman in a fucking operating room. That’s a scenario I don’t even want to contemplate. It’s like something out of a horror movie.”
“Xavier, this entire situation is like something out of a horror movie.” She tried to cheer him up and it seemed to work.
He gave her a little lift of his mouth that was almost a smile. “I guess you’re right.” He began walking a little faster. “Let’s get Reno to drop us at your station so your chief can see you’re okay. Reno can secure the chopper at Brookhaven for the day, and you and I can head back to your place.”
“I like the sound of that. So you’ve been hiding that black helicopter at Brookhaven National Labs? Convenient.”
“They’ve got adequate security for it.” He shrugged. “I can’t make the boy sleep in the chopper.”
Sarah giggled at his ironic tone, as he’d probably expected. His arm tightened around her shoulder for