Hot Combat. Elle James

being this close and not touching him.

      * * *

      “GHOST HERE.” HE HELD the receiver to his ear, unused to using landlines. But then cell phones were practically useless in the remote towns of Wyoming.

      “The rest of the team has arrived. I’d like you to meet them and talk through a game plan for the security of the area.”

      “I thought you wanted me to stay with Ms. McClain.”

      “I wanted you to assess the situation and give me feedback. I think she’ll be okay in broad daylight. For now, you need to come to my digs above the Blue Moose Tavern and meet the rest of the men.”

      Ghost glanced at Charlie.

      She paced the length of the small office, chewing on her fingernail.

      “I’ll bring her and the child with me.” His gaze locked on her.

      Charlie’s head shot up and she met his glance with a frown. “Wherever you’re going, you’ll have to go by yourself. I had plans to take Lolly with me to the grocery store and the library. You don’t need to come with me. We can take care of ourselves.”

      “Is that Charlie talking?” Kevin asked.

      Ghost nodded. “It is.”

      “Tell her I only need you for about an hour. Then she can have you back.”

      Ghost covered the mouthpiece with his hand. “Garner said he only needs me for an hour. Are you sure you and Lolly will be okay for that time?”

      She nodded. “Nobody will attack us in broad daylight.”

      Ghost snorted. Too many people assumed that same sentiment and were dead because of it. “Stay out of the open and report in every time you come and go from a location.”

      “I really think we might be paranoid, but okay.” She raised her hands. “I’ll stay out of the open, and I’ll report my comings and goings.” Charlie crossed her arms over her chest and tilted her head back. “Happy?”

      “Not really,” he said, his lips pressing together. “I’d rather drop you where you want to go and pick you up later.”

      Her lips pressed into a thin line.

      Ghost decided it was better not to argue while Garner waited on the phone.

      “Everything set?” Garner asked.

      Ghost stared at Charlie, not sure he was happy with the arrangement, but Charlie wasn’t budging. “Yes. I’ll see you in twenty minutes. That will give me time to take a shower.”

      “Will do.” Garner ended the call.

      “I have to meet with DHS and the team Garner is assimilating. Are you sure you’ll be okay?”

      She gave a firm nod. “Positive.”

      How she could be so certain was unfathomable to Ghost. He wasn’t sure he was okay. Being near Charlie brought back too many memories and a resurgence of the passion he’d felt for the woman seven years ago.

      When he met with Garner, he’d have to tell him that he might not be the right man for the job. They had a huge conflict of interest. He and Charlie had slept together. Hell, they had a child together.

      Tired and grungy, he couldn’t think straight. “I need a shower.”

      “What do you want me to do about it?” She stood with her arms crossed, a semibelligerent frown on her face.

      The corners of his lips twitched. Ghost stepped up to her and tipped her chin with his finger. “There was a time when you would have offered to shower with me.”

      “I was young and stupid.”

      He chuckled. “And you don’t want to get stupid together? There’s a lot to be said for being stupid. Especially when you do this—” Before he could talk sense into his own head, he bent and touched his lips to her forehead. “And this.” He moved from her forehead to the tip of her nose.

      She closed her eyes and her chest rose on a deep, indrawn breath. She unwound her arms and laid her hands on his chest.

      At first he thought she would push away, but her fingers curled into his shirt, giving him just enough encouragement.

      “And this.” Ghost pressed his lips to hers, tasting what he’d missed for all those years, drinking in her sweetness. Sweet ecstasy, he couldn’t get enough. He slid his hands to her lower back and pressed her closer. Why had he stayed away so long?

      He skimmed the seam of her lips with his tongue. When she opened her mouth on a gasp, he dived in, caressing her tongue with his in a long, slick slide, reestablishing his claim on her mouth.

      She felt different, her curves fuller, her arms stronger, her hair longer, but she was the same inside. This woman was the only one who’d stayed with him over the years, her image tucked in the recesses of his mind as he prepared for combat. She was the reason he’d dedicated his life to serving his country. To protect her and all the other people who depended on him to secure their freedom. He risked his life so that others could live free and safe.

      For a long moment, he pushed every reason he’d had for leaving her out of his mind and reveled in the warm wetness of her kiss, the sweet taste of blueberry syrup on her lips and the heat of her body pressed to his. His groin tightened, the fly of his jeans pressing into her belly.

      “Mommy?”

      Ghost leaped back as if he’d been splashed with ice water.

      “What do you need, Lolly?” Charlie pressed one hand to her swollen lips and the other smoothed her hair before she turned to face her daughter standing in the doorway.

      “Why were you kissing Mr. Caspar?”

      Ghost half turned away from the child, his lips twitching. He’d leave that answer for Charlie. Although, he’d like to know the answer to that question, too.