“The museum’s schedule is subject to change, remember?” Thiggy’s throat tightened when he stared into the eyes of this amazing woman. They stood silently for exactly three minutes while the falcon wings folded over the cathedral to protect the priceless contents. None of which were more valuable than Katrice Kennedy, tonight’s unsung heroine.
Thiggy slowly lowered his head. Hesitated.
His heart banged against the wall of his chest.
Then he touched his lips to hers.
She tasted like more.
Her arms came around his waist, and he felt a vibration in her throat, telling him she’d made some kind of noise, which he read as a good sign. Bringing his hands to her cheeks, he deepened the kiss, and every ounce of pent-up anxiety gave way to a different kind of tension.
The lights flickered as in a curtain call.
When they tentatively edged apart, he traced his thumb across her upper lip. Then he reached down and picked up her duffle.
“Here you go. The lost has been reclaimed.”
“I can’t believe you found it.”
He cocked his head. “Do you mind telling me what’s so significant about this bag?”
“It contains the most important thing in the world…” She looked away. Seconds ticked by before she turned dampened cheeks toward him. “My most precious possession, Sergeant Brian Kennedy’s Silver Medal and the flag that covered his casket at the funeral in D.C. I have a ten day leave, and since my parents pretty much fell apart at the funeral, I'm bringing his belongings home for them.”
She took the bag, gripping it securely in her right hand. “Thanks for helping me get it back, Thigpen.”
“Yeah, like you owe me.” He pulled a business card from his pocket and slipped it into her hand. “My email address.”
Her mouth curved in a smile. A smile that caused his heart to thump. Then she started for the exit, and it struck him that she did that a lot—caused his heart to thump.
Shuffling backward on his way to meet with the JTTF, he watched her, slowly edging toward the door, slowly walking away.
“Katrice…”
She halted, still close enough for him to read her lips. “Yeah?”
Words stalled in his throat. “Uh…”
“FYI, Benjamin, my email address is air force lady at sonic mail dot com. I’ll be back at my home base in ten days.” She smiled. “For sure, I’ll be back.”
“Great, I’m glad to hear that. I’ll be in touch. For sure.”
“You know,” she said, “there’s a rumor that survivors of harrowing experiences often become kindred souls?”
His mouth automatically stretched in a smile. “That’s not a rumor, Air Force Lady. That’s fate. It’s written in the stars.”
With that, he quit back-pedaling and jerked forward, running until he collided with her. He tugged her soft curves against his chest. Her firm shoulders and biceps yielded to his touch and she melted in his arms. Then he brought his mouth down on hers, no tentativeness this time. The warmth or her lips pressed hard against his, causing a groan to escape his throat.
When they came up for air, he said, “Yeah, Air Force, it’s definitely written in the stars.”
***
Be sure to join Thiggy and his buddy, FBI Agent Tony Crazaniak, as they match wits, brawn, and weapons with blood diamond dealers and Mid Eastern terrorists while they race against time to keep a beautiful widow alive in Wisconsin’s frozen tundra. Shadow of Deceit, a full-length romantic suspense novel by Mal Olson, author of adrenaline kicked romantic suspense. Available March 7, 2012 from The Wild Rose Press. Rating: Spicy.