SEAL's RESOLVE - Rebecca Deel Page 0,33
refresher course, Rafe?”
He shuddered. “I have a few months before I have to return for Josh and Trent’s brand of torture.”
The lady laughed. “I hear the same thing from all the trainees. They’re convinced the trainers stay awake all night coming up with ways to make them suffer untold agonies in the training rooms and on the fields.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised to learn the rumors were true. Brent promised to send me a package.”
“It arrived five minutes ago.” She tugged open a drawer and pulled out a sealed manila envelope which she handed to Rafe. “Can I do anything else for you?”
He smiled. “No, but thanks, Gloria.” Wrapping his hand around Kristi’s, Rafe led her to the interrogation room where she’d talked to Marcus. After closing the door, he ripped open the envelope and poured the contents onto the table.
Kristi gasped and said, “Lilies of the valley. That’s my favorite flower. The jewelry is beautiful, Rafe.”
Satisfaction filled him. Her expression of delight meant she would be likely to wear the jewelry. No, it wasn’t the same quality of the jewelry she wore to her glitzy fundraisers. Still, Fortress made sure the tracking jewelry was as attractive as possible. The fact that Zane always seemed to know which of the five design types to send was a bit of a mystery, especially since he hadn’t met Kristi yet. The communications and tech guru was sharp, though. He’d completed enough research into Kristi’s background to guess the type of design she would appreciate the most.
Lilies of the valley were elegant, deceptively delicate, and reminded him of Kristi. The lady had a hidden well of strength that Rafe admired. “I know this isn’t the type of jewelry you’re used to, but will you wear it, even inside your home?”
Her brows knitted. “How do you know I don’t wear jewelry like this?”
“I attended fundraisers and dinners with Callie, remember? You and the rest of your friend group always wore museum-quality gems set in gold and platinum designs. This isn’t in the same league.”
She waved his concern aside and picked up the bracelet. “Dad insisted I wear them for the sake of his image. I don’t wear jewels like that on a daily basis. I’m more comfortable with simple, elegant jewelry like this. How did you know what to choose for me?”
“I wish I could claim credit for the choice, but Zane Murphy, our communications and tech wizard is responsible. He has a knack for choosing the right design for the women in our lives.” He deliberately chose that phrase and waited to see how she would react.
Kristi’s gaze flew to his face. “Does that include your clients?”
“Principals,” he corrected. “This jewelry isn’t issued to our principals.”
“You made an exception for me.”
“Do you want it to be an exception?”
She watched him a moment before laying the bracelet on the table and stepping closer to him. “If I told you I didn’t, would I scare you off?”
Rafe wasn’t one for dancing around the truth. “I don’t scare off easily, Kristi.” He raised his hand to cup her cheek. “Do you?”
Kristi nuzzled his palm. “No. Can I tell you a secret?”
“Sure.”
“I’ve always admired and respected you.”
Pleasant surprise whirled inside Rafe. Would it be enough to build a relationship on? “Enough to take a leap into the unknown with me?”
She froze. “You said we’re friends.”
A slow smile curved his mouth. “I don’t kiss my friends like I kissed you. We have explosive chemistry.” He brushed his thumb over her bottom lip, longing to feel her mouth under his again. “There’s something between us, something that I’d like to explore if you’re willing to take a chance on me.”
“Yes.”
He blinked. “You don’t want to think about it?”
She shook her head.
Rafe slid his hand around her nape and drew her against him. “We should seal the deal with a kiss,” he murmured
“Excellent suggestion.” She lifted her face to his.
He captured her mouth in a series of gentle, teasing kisses before the taste of her drew him like a moth to the flame, and he deepened the kiss. His blood heated to the temperature of molten lava as it flowed through his veins. Knowing she was safe for the moment, Rafe relaxed his guard enough to focus solely on the woman in his arms.
The longer the kiss spun out, the more Kristi melted against him. He began to wonder if he would ever get enough of her taste and the touch of her skin under his calloused palms.
The sensation jolted him