“Yeah, I don’t mind.”
They worked together like a well-oiled, silent machine and were able to get both of the kids out of the car and tucked in bed without either of them waking up. There had been one tense moment when Sara had stepped on a squeaky board on the steps and Charlotte had stirred, but with some shushing and pats on the back from her mom, she’d drifted back off.
Austin had been on more missions than he could count. Dangerous missions. Missions where lives had been at stake. Missions he’d been awarded medals for. But this one affected him like no other. He felt a stronger sense of accomplishment—undeserved, of course—and comradery—most likely imagined—at not waking up a three and seven-year-old than he’d ever experienced.
Once the kids were tucked in, as he stood in the hallway saying goodnight to Sara, he was torn between wanting to high-five her for their accomplishment and kiss her. Well, not really torn. If given the chance, he’d definitely kiss her. In fact, he couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her ruby-red lips that were glossy from the extremely hot, nervous habit she had of licking them.
“Thank you,” Sara whispered as her gaze dipped down to the ground. “For everything.”
“Anytime.” Austin knew people said that, but he really meant it. He’d do anything for this woman, at any time. And that was scarier than any vampire-like fantasy ever could be.
Knowing one more nervous swipe of her pink tongue between those full lips would snap the tenuous hold he had on his self-control, Austin wished Sara goodnight and forced himself to step across the hall and shut his door to begin what he was sure would be a night of tossing and turning, with visions of the blue-eyed, brunette beauty with candy lips racing through his brain. In the span of twelve short hours, she’d infiltrated his mind, body, and he feared…his heart.