Whirlwind (SAI Book 2)

by Lea Hart

  “Umm…people seemed to like the books, and we received some industry recognition.”

  “That’s amazing.” If that wasn’t an understatement, he didn’t know what was. “So, why the switch to graphic novels?”

  The way her face scrunched up and she stopped eating made him hesitate. For a second, he felt a shred of remorse and then stomped it down. If he was going to protect her, he needed the full story, and the only way to get it was having her tell him. “It seems like a big change.”

  “My life’s circumstances altered, and I didn’t have any more sweet kittens and rabbits left in me.” Shrugging, she concentrated on her plate. “I started sketching something completely different, and it turned into this graphic novel.” Pushing her plate away, she stared at him. “Like I said, I’m stuck on the hero of the next installment, and I think you’re what I’m looking for.”

  A slow smile split his face, because he swore she’d called him her hero. Or something like that. “Honey, I’m more than happy to be the hero in your life.”

  “My graphic novel, not my life.” Piling more food on his plate, she grinned. “Selective hearing is an interesting skill. I’ve noticed it’s almost exclusive to men.”

  Covering her hand, he shrugged. “I heard hero, so I naturally assumed that you wanted me to be yours.” He leaned forward and dropped a quick kiss on her mouth. Before he could get in trouble, he moved back and started eating. When her hand covered her mouth and her fingers trembled lightly, he knew she wasn’t immune to him, no matter what she said.

  “So, what do you need from me?” he asked. Everything? I will give you whatever you want.

  “I want to sketch your hands and your shoulders and your face. This is a complete departure from anything that I’ve done before. I don’t have many references for how a man’s face or body looks when it’s in conflict.”

  “Who did you sketch for the first graphic novel?” Had there been another man in the house with her? He pasted an innocent smile on his face and hoped like hell his possessive thoughts were not showing.

  “I sketched all the men at Combative Alliance. I walked past the building when I first came to town and asked if they would let me sit and draw. Nick allowed me to hang out in the back when he was having a class, and I sketched everything I saw. The situational Combative course helped me the most. I finally had an understanding what the body looked like in close quarters combat.”

  Nodding his head, he felt a wave of relief wash over his body. When they had been there the other day, he noticed her easy connection with the men. Every one of them treated her with respect and deference. Even Richard, who was a player, handled her carefully. “I’d love to see the first book.”

  “I don’t want you to laugh. It’s geared toward the new adult market. My ideal audience is between twelve and eighteen. I doubt it’s something that you’d find interesting.”

  “What’s the story line?”

  Pressing her napkin flat, she played with the edges. “The heroine faces a threat and comes out victorious. The antagonist poses both physical and emotional danger. She confronts it and comes out whole and happy.”

  Taking her hand, he nodded. It sounded like what she was facing. He didn’t know who was after her and why. But he would, and then he would take care of it. “Should I take my clothes off?”

  Sputtering, she tried to grab a breath. “No!”

  “I don’t mind stripping down to my boxers. I figured that’s what modeling is all about.”

  Laughing, she covered her mouth. “Maybe just your T-shirt.”

  “All right, but I’m happy to take off more if you want me to.” He gave a hopeful smile and noticed she was still laughing. “I get it. It might be hard to resist me in my naked glory.” He patted her hand. “I don’t want to tempt you too much.”

  “Oh, yes, you do. Don’t act innocent.”

  Pressing his hand against his chest, he tried to appear wounded. “I can’t believe that you would say that.”

  “I heard you and your girlfriend for six months. I don’t believe you have an innocent bone in your body.” Standing, she cleared her plate.

  Watching her stiff posture made him sick. There was no way she would understand what went on between him and Ang, because he didn’t. He cleared the rest of the table and put the empty cartons in the trash. He had to say something, but he didn’t know what.

  Sara turned and faced him. Twirling her hands together, she then shook her head. “It’s none of my business, and I should never have said anything. God, this is uncomfortable. What happens in the privacy of one’s home should stay there. And I certainly shouldn’t be commenting on it.”

  Stepping closer, he lifted her chin and then waited until she looked at him. If he’d seen disgust, he wouldn’t have blamed her. But she wasn’t disgusted. She was just uncomfortable. Which was something he could work with. “I’m sorry that my life spilled into yours.”

  Holding her hands up, she shook her head. “It’s not my business.”

  Grady grasped her hands gently and held them. “I want you to give me a chance and not think the worst of me.”

  Relaxing her shoulders, she shook her head. “I make no judgments. But please know that I’m not interested in anything more than friendship.”

  Because of the goons who were after her. “Let’s start there and see where that takes us.” Bending down, he stared into her mesmerizing eyes and smiled. “Friends who kiss?”

  Laughing, she pushed him away. “You are trouble, sir.”

  “God, I hope so.” He pulled her hand and led her out of the kitchen. “I’m ready to be your muse.”

  “Keep your clothes on and let me go and grab my sketch pad.”

  “Killjoy,” he called out. Letting out a breath, he relaxed slightly. That wasn’t a lot of fun, but they’d made it through. One scuffle down, thousands to go.

  ***

  Sara sat on the couch and flipped over a piece of paper on her sketch pad. “Only a couple more. How are you doing?”

  Grady had his arm extended and held his hand in a fist as though he was about to strike someone. “I’m fine. Are you getting what you need?”

  “Absolutely. This is going to help me make the character believable. Just a few more minutes, and then I’ll feed you ice cream.”

  “Well, if there’s ice cream, I guess I can hold out.” Having Sara’s hot gaze on him for the last forty-five minutes had been flattering. Well, it would be flattering if it meant that she was interested. But he was fairly certain that she was going to fight against whatever spark they had as much as she could. “What’s the name of the character I’m modeling for?”

  “The initial name doesn’t work anymore, so I’m going to have to think of a new one.” Flipping her sketch pad closed, she grinned. “You can relax. I’m done.”

  Putting his arms down, he turned and watched her gather her pencils. “That was fun. I’m looking forward to seeing the final product.”

  “I’ll give you a copy of it when it’s finished.” She walked into the kitchen and opened the freezer. “I have double chocolate chunk and mint chip. Which one would you like?”

  “I’ll have both.” He slid his T-shirt over his head and then sat down at the island. “Tell me the premise of the story and what kind of hero I’m going to be.”

  “I’m not sure, because I’m thinking about reworking the whole thing. Give me a couple of days and I’ll let you know.”

  “I’ll come and take my clothes off for you anytime.” He watched her concentrate on scooping out ice cream and wondered how long it was going to take for her to open up to him. They might not have the luxury of time. If what Lance had dug up was accurate, he needed to act quickly.

  “You’re a prince among men,” she said.

  He accepted the bowl of ice cream she handed him. When she bent over to put the ice cream in the freezer, he felt his body react instantly. Her heart-shaped ass was making the situation in his shorts a little uncomfortable. Watchi
ng her was like being plugged into an electrical current…desire shot though his body and filled his lungs. When she came over and sat down, he tried to act like a thousand sexy thoughts were not filling his brain.

  “Thanks for being my model. I’ve been completely stuck, and something in your face sparked an idea.”

  Rubbing his hand over his short beard, he laughed. “I had no idea my beat-up face could unlock creativity.”

  “Is this the part of the evening where you fish for compliments? Because if it is, then I’ll give you several.” She licked her spoon and smiled. “You are a very attractive man with a ton of magnetism. Your heavy brow and sharp cheekbones make your masculine features irresistible. You have a face that is worth drawing.”

  “I don’t know about that.” He ate some ice cream and thought about confessing that he was crushing hard and thought she was the most appealing woman he’d ever met. Right now there wasn’t much difference between him and a sixteen-year-old kid. “Unless, of course, you’re feeling magnetized?” Leaning over, he smiled. “Are you feeling the pull?”

  “A little.”

  “I can work with that. Maybe we should kiss and see if the whole magnetism thing is true.”

  “I like how everything you suggest circles back to kissing.”

  “It’s your fault. You let me have a taste, and now I’m craving you in dark and indecent ways. I intend to hear you breathless at some point in the near future.”

  The spoon she held was frozen in midair, and her mouth hung open. Maybe he should’ve left out the indecent part. It might’ve been overpowering. “So, now you know.”

  Sara dropped her spoon and stared. “You’re never going to make me guess. I can see that now.” Lifting her hair off her neck, she twisted it into a knot and smiled faintly. “I guess that’s a good thing. What I see is what I get.”

  Scooping her hand into his, he rubbed the top of her knuckles. “Always.” He stared into her eyes and willed her to see how serious he was. “It wouldn’t work with you anyway.” Slowly he dropped his mouth to hers. If she was going to stop him, it was going to happen in the next two seconds. When she didn’t, he pressed their lips together and felt an explosion go off in his head. That’s what kissing Sara did to him. Rearranged everything in his body and mind so that she would be the only answer. And hell if he didn’t like it.

  Her hand grazed his shirt as he deepened the kiss. Teasing the edge of her mouth, he waited for her to grant him entrance. When she did, he slipped his tongue in and knew no one had ever tasted anything sweeter and more perfect than the woman in his arms. Their mouths played together as he tightened his hold. All he wanted to do was absorb her…so that nothing separated them.

  “Grady…”

  Before he could kiss her again, she pulled back. The sound of her ragged breathing mixed with his, and his heart kept missing beats as his hands tried to bring her closer.

  “It’s too much,” she cried.

  “Sara, it’s not!” He tipped his head against hers and lifted his hand to cradle her face. “We are some kind of lucky.”

  “Or…we’re some kind of crazy.” Moving her head away, she studied him. “Is this something that happens to you on a regular basis?”

  “No. First time in my life and, I suspect, the last.” He dipped his head and kissed her gently. When she relaxed, he knew it wasn’t only happening to him. Sara was feeling something as well. The heat of the kiss kicked up a notch when her tongue dipped into his mouth, and he reacted by tightening his hold. Making out with Sara was hotter than sex with any other woman. And that included the crazy things between him and Ang. When that thought flew through his brain, he cringed. Sara must’ve felt it, because she pulled away and released his shirt. When he tried to capture her lips again, she pressed him backward. “More kisses?”

  “I think it’s time for you to go home.” She stood before he could grab her hand and moved out of reach. “It’s getting late.”

  Checking his watch, he saw that it was ten. Didn’t seem that late to him, but the way she was crossing her arms around her waist told him the kissing portion of the evening had ended.

  Standing, he tried to adjust himself before he moved around the counter. “Okay. Should we spar tomorrow, or do you want to work the bags in my garage?”

  “I’m working out with the guys at CA. I won’t need a second session.”

  He lifted her hand and pressed a small kiss against her skin. “You’re not going to try out the new kissing technique with anyone else…right?”

  “Are you asking me if I’m going to lay my lips on any of the men when I spar with them?”

  “Yes, Sara. That’s what I’m asking. I don’t want your lips on any other man. Just me.”

  Patting his chest, she let out a patient breath. “That’s asking a lot, Grady. There are a lot of cute men over there, and it might be hard to control myself. I don’t want to make a promise that I can’t keep.”

  He lifted her face and noticed she was trying not to laugh. His heartbeat slowed down, and he went from DEFCON 1 to DEFCON 3. Totally manageable. “What time are you going over there?”

  “I’m meeting Richard at ten. I’m not sure who I’m sparring with.”

  He kissed the top of her head and smiled. “I’ll come by at nine and take you. That way, when you get tempted to kiss someone, I’ll be available.”

  When her face scrunched up, he laughed. He released his hold and started to walk toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow. After we’re done, we can grab lunch.”

  “You’re a little heavy-handed with the plans. Did you consider asking me before you inserted yourself into my schedule?”

  He leaned against the door and grinned. “I have to protect my interests. I have no idea what’s going to happen if I let you loose on the town.” He winked and opened the door. “Lock up and set the alarm.”

  Before he had the door closed, she called out, “You can try and slow me down, but you can’t stop me.” His laughter was her answer. “He’s awfully sure of himself. We’ll just have to see about that.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  Saturday

  Sara opened her door and saw Grady standing there with two mugs of coffee. He handed her one and then walked into the house. “Good morning.” She glanced at her watch and lifted her eyebrows. “Seven seems a little early for a visitor.”

  “Really? I brought you coffee and I added cream. I hope it’s enough.”

  She took a sip and smiled. “It’s perfect.” He grabbed her hand, led her over to the couch and waited until she sat down. When he remained silent, she started to worry about why he was so serious. “What’s going on?”

  “I want you to know that I don’t consider you a sure thing. I know that I have to win you properly. I think you got the wrong impression last night. And I want to make sure that you understand I’ll do whatever it takes.”

  “What exactly do you want?”

  “You to myself. I found you, and now I want you, and I’m not going to let you go.”

  Tilting her head, she smiled. “I’m not a penny you found on the ground that you can claim.”

  “See, I think that’s where you’re wrong. I’m falling for you in a way that’s never happened before. It’s scaring the shit out of me, and that’s why I’m acting so possessive and crazy.”

  Sipping her coffee, she wondered if he was sane. Six days didn’t seem long enough to develop the feelings he had. “Why now? We met a year ago and nothing happened. Are you sure this isn’t a reaction to what happened with your ex-girlfriend?”

  “It has nothing to do with that. When I’m around you, my heart beats double time. That in and of itself is crazy, because my resting heartbeat is around seventy. My adrenaline spikes, and that hardly happens in the heat of battle. I spent fourteen years facing all kinds of nasty evil, and I never felt this way. So…it must be the real thing.”

  “Are you comparing me to being in a battle?”

  “No. Maybe… It’s hard to
tell.”

  “It could just be a midlife crisis. How old are you?”

  “I’m thirty-four, and it’s not a midlife crisis. I’m falling for you because you smell like home…my home. I want to spend time together and see what we have.”

  Pressing her hand against her throat, she tried to take in the enormity of his words, and she couldn’t. “My heart is beating out of my chest. I’m not ready to deal with the idea of an us.” Nothing about her current circumstances would allow her to pursue anything with him.

  She was in the sights of one of the most dangerous criminal organizations on the FBI’s list. Anyone she got close to was going to be a target as well. The fact that she was already attracted to him made the whole thing unbearable. Men like Grady didn’t come along very often, and the thought of passing him up was depressing. “I can’t. I’m up against a difficult situation, and I can’t involve anyone.”

  “That’s the other thing…I’m going to take care of that for you. I figured if you were worried about somebody killing you, then it might make it hard to think about falling in love with me.”

  “Just like that?”

  He shrugged and then replied, “Yeah. It’s not that complicated. I’ve got Lance working on it, and the team is meeting next week to come up with a plan. SAI has seven offices around the country, so I called Hank in Chicago, and he’s working it from his end. We should have enough intel by Monday. We’ll put an initial plan into place, and then we can adapt as more information comes in.”

  “What the…what?” Standing, she stomped away and then stomped back. Her hands went up and then came down. “Of all of the overbearing, autocratic things I’ve ever heard of, this is the worst.” Sara stared at him and waited for him to back off. Then she waited some more while he drank his coffee. “I’m waiting.”

  “For what?”

  “For you to back off. Why are you butting into my life and trying to take over?” She watched him carefully set his cup down and stand up. A satisfied grin filled his face, and he remained eerily calm. Backing off didn’t seem to be within his capabilities.