Danger Close by Kaylea Cross Page A

cover identity.
    He rubbed a hand over his jaw, knowing there was nothing he could say or do to erase that image of him from her head, but wishing it was otherwise. He couldn’t deny the truth, that he’d acted as both the hardened undercover operative playing a dangerous role, and a patriot who wanted to do his part to eradicate radical Islam from the world. “They held their own out there. I just led the way. Maya fought me tooth and nail before she realized I was helping her.” He still had the tooth marks in his hand to prove it.
    “Oh, I’m sure you did a lot more than just lead.” The sparkle was back in her eyes. “I may not know you very well, but I’ve seen you in action already, and based on what I’ve seen since then, I know you’re way too modest to brag about yourself.”
    He focused his gaze on the stack of paper napkins on the table, running his finger over the edge because he didn’t know how to handle the compliment. Maybe because he’d had so few of them. The way he’d grown up, a man could assume he was doing a decent job unless he was told otherwise. Praise just never factored into the picture, not even back when he was a kid and his dad had been alive. “You handled yourself well,” he said to turn the conversation away from himself. “Better than I expected.” Maybe that was partly why he was so attracted to her. In a tight situation, she was someone you’d want at your back.
    She raised an eyebrow in mock insult. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m a soldier, aren’t I? What, did you think I’d curl into a ball and start crying when they started firing at us?”
    He gave a grudging chuckle. “No. You were solid. Especially with treating Thompson.” He’d been grateful for the extra pair of hands on that hill, let alone her medical training. Her bravery under fire had surprised him though. She’d started dragging Thompson behind cover immediately after he was shot without a second thought to her own safety.
    In his experience, watching how someone reacted under fire was a great indicator of someone’s true character. From what he’d seen out there, Wade knew Erin was good under pressure. She wasn’t whining or complaining now or having a hissy fit about being cooped up in here with him, either. In fact, she seemed to be trying hard to make the best of it and was going out of her way to be friendly. He was thankful for that too, yet at the same time he didn’t want to like her so much. Over the years—the past few especially—he’d built up thick walls to protect himself and keep everyone else out. And now after spending just two days with her, he could already feel cracks forming in them.
    Erin nodded. “Thanks. And I appreciate the report you gave to my CO. You made me look good.”
    “I just told him what I saw.”
    “Okay, then I’m glad you saw it that way.” This time she smiled enough for the dimple to appear in her left cheek. Between that and the way her eyes sparkled in the overhead lights, he had to tear his gaze away to keep from staring. Four years ago, before this last job, he would be on that couch next to her, stroking his fingertips over the softness of her cheek and gliding them over her lips just to see her pupils expand and the pulse in her throat accelerate. But he wasn’t that man anymore.
    He didn’t answer her statement, because what he’d said was true. She was reliable and had kept a level head. The only time he’d seen her hesitate was when they’d been in the tunnel and she’d been on point. He’d sensed her fear, either of the dark or the tight space or the tunnel itself, he wasn’t sure, but she’d pushed it aside and moved forward. He wasn’t going to mention that though. And he hoped like hell she couldn’t tell how damn awkward he felt trying to adjust to this new lifestyle.
    “How old are you?” she asked with a tilt of her head.
    “Thirty-four.” He already knew she was twenty-six. Truth was, he was sitting on the