Chapter 13

Gray strode in Lena's office after the team's briefing, worry coursing through him. They finally needed to move forward on the Mexico op, with Luke and Sam flying out first thing in the morning. It would be a quick reconnaissance mission for the moment, with the men returning before the weekend. The short trip wouldn't be a problem unless shit hit the fan. Then the entire team would be involved, except Gray knew he couldn't leave Lena alone. Not when Ivan Rogers was still out there somewhere.

She could stay at Anna's house. Stay at a hotel. But something in his gut told him he couldn't leave her. She'd even mentioned it felt like she was being watched the other night. West's team of IT guys had hacked into the security feed of the grocery store, but nothing unusual had been noted.

His steps slowed as he approached her desk, something inside him settling now that he was near her. Lena's long, glossy hair hung down around her breasts. Her blazer was draped over the back of her chair, so he got an eyeful of her pretty cleavage.

His dick twitched.

Only this morning he'd buried his face in her breasts, kissing and laving at her pink nipples while he fingered her wet pussy. She'd moaned out his name, helpless to his advances and thorough touch. After he'd made Lena come twice, he'd made love to her, slow and sweet in bed. Seeing her dark gaze looking up at him, so trusting, had made something in his chest crack wide open.

This woman was it for him.

After they'd both come, he'd held her close in the quiet morning. Neither of them had wanted to move, both safe and happy in each other's arms, but they'd eventually showered together and dressed for work.

"Hey you," she said with a smile as she looked up from her computer screen, and Gray's thoughts shifted back to the present.

"Hey yourself," he said, ducking down for a quick kiss. They hadn't discussed how they'd act in the office around each other. Things had progressed naturally, and no one seemed surprised in the least when they were suddenly standing too close to one another or holding back for a brief moment to share a kiss. Jett was affectionate with Anna, so it wasn't exactly unprecedented. Gray knew he was probably the last guy anyone expected to be in a relationship.

They'd hadn't exactly discussed that either. One moment they were friends and colleagues, and the next? Lovers. Everything had changed since he'd rescued her weeks ago. While he hated that she'd endured any of that, he loved where they were now. He'd been on his own so long, dealing with his own troubles, he hadn't realized how much he'd been missing. Lena filled in the gaps and holes in his life in a way he didn't realize he'd needed. He'd recovered from his physical injuries, his body mostly healed, but he hadn't been complete.

"What are you up to?" Gray asked, watching as Lena scrolled through a webpage full of pink and blue baby decorations. "That's a far cry from ordering more Kevlar vests and ammo."

"I'm planning a baby shower for this weekend," she said, glancing up at him with a grin.

"This weekend? That's only a few days away," he said with a chuckle. "Why the rush?"

She shrugged. "Jett's request. Anna just found out they're having another boy, so she's really excited. Truth be told, I think he is, too, although he's way too macho and gruff to admit feeling sappy over a baby. Clara had her ultrasound this week, too, and found out that she and Ford are having a girl. They want to hold the party at their house, but it'll be a double baby shower that everyone's invited to. There's no baby registry, but people can of course bring something if they want. Clara claimed to already have what she needed and Jett and Anna obviously have a ton of baby stuff. It's more of a celebration I suppose than a true baby shower."

"Is it on Saturday?" Gray asked.

"Yeah, why?"

Gray cleared his throat. "I've got an appointment Saturday afternoon to bring my SUV in. Just an oil change and tire rotation, but it might take an hour or two."

"It's no biggie. You can stay over like usual, and then I'll be running around doing last-minute errands and prep in the afternoon. I'm ordering a ton of decorations and will overnight them to Ford and Clara's house. Clara's older daughter is excited and wants to help decorate for the party, so that gets me off the hook for that," she added with a laugh. "You can take care of your car while I'm picking up the food. Ford's going to grill, even though it's the middle of winter, but I'm getting a cake and ordering a huge platter of appetizers."

"I don't know," he said with a frown. "I could reschedule so I could help you."

"Don't be silly. I run errands for Jett all the time. I can easily handle the party. It's just for the team anyway. I'll grab the food myself if you're not back yet, and then we can head over together."

Gray frowned, and Lena stood up, wrapping her arms around his neck. Even in her heels, she was still slightly shorter than him, and he loved the feeling of her curves pressed up against his body. She rose to her tiptoes, and he met her for a heated kiss. "I want you to be safe," he murmured. "I'm already beating myself up for the coffee shop a month ago."

She pulled back slightly, staring into his eyes. "We've been over this. You can't be there every second. You're not my shadow," she joked.

"I could be," he growled, sucking in a breath. Just thinking about Lena scared and helpless was almost enough to send him into a tailspin. He could deal with his own shit, his own demons, but thinking about Lena being hurt killed him.

"And you'd just follow me into the ladies' room each time I needed to pee? I don't think so," she said, sliding her hands to his cheeks. "I love that you're protective of me, but those guys after Kaylee were pure evil. They would've found her one way or another, because just like you, Nick couldn't be at her side every single second. Unfortunately, I got caught in the crossfire, so to speak."

He squeezed her waist with his hands. "I fucking hate that they even touched you."

Lena bit her lip and nodded. "Me too, but in a weird, roundabout way it brought me to you."

A beat passed, Gray hating to admit what he knew to be true. If he hadn't helped Lena, he would've still been hanging out in the wings, only partly living his life. He would've missed out on this. Her. "You're right. And for that, I'm so damn thankful." Gray pulled her closer, one hand sliding up to the back of her head, his fingers threading through her hair. Then he kissed her thoroughly, not caring that they were at work, in her office, when anyone could walk in and see them. "You're it for me, Lena," he said when he pulled back, both of them breathing heavily. He could almost feel those three little words hanging in the air but didn't say them yet. It was too soon, but hell if he didn't feel that in his heart.

Gray was sure the expression on her face mirrored his own—full of wonder and something that had to be love.

"You're it for me, too," she said, before pulling him close for another kiss.

Minutes passed before they came up for air, their bodies pressed close and hearts beating as one. "We should continue this tonight," she teased, her gaze dropping to his erection straining against his pants.

"Yep," he managed to say through clenched teeth.

Lena giggled, patting him over his pants. "Down, boy."

"Not. Helping."

Voices in the hall drew her attention, and she winked. "I'll give you a moment. Jett's coming to talk with me more about the party. He's probably got some surprise for Anna in mind," she said with a laugh.

Muttering a curse, Gray watched her walk out the door, hips swinging in that tight skirt. Damn, he was a goner. He wouldn't have it any other way."