An Inconvenient Affair (The Alpha Brotherhood #1)(43)
Author: Catherine Mann

Hillary searched for a private corner, but there were people everywhere. Finally, she tugged him down the corridor and into a powder room—and, as she’d hoped, the presence of a man chased both of the occupants out. She passed the bathroom attendant folded cash and said, “Could you give us ten minutes alone, please?”

Laughing under her breath, the attendant ducked out into the hall. Hillary locked the door after them and turned back to Troy only to find herself at a loss.

She’d been so focused on getting him alone and making her gesture meaningful. She’d even planned at least three speeches…all of which flew out of her head now that she was face-to-face with him. So she gave herself a moment to just soak in the beloved sight of him, here, with her again.

God, he knew how to wear a tuxedo, with the white silk scarf and fedora. He stole her breath as well as her thoughts.

Troy held up their wrists. “You sure do know how to make an impression.”

“I wanted to make sure neither of us could run away this time.”

“Good move.” He stroked the inside of her wrist with his thumb. “How is your mother?”

The past couple of days had been hectic, getting her mom settled in with hospice home care, talking during her lucid moments. “She and I have done a lot of speaking again. We’re finding a way to make peace.” As much as was possible, but they were trying. “But that’s not why I’m here tonight. Troy, I want to tell you—”

He pressed a finger to her lips.

“You know what? Hold that thought.” He cupped her waist and lifted her onto the bathroom counter next to a basket of rolled-up hand towels. “I need to say some things to you first. Any objections?”

Smiling hopefully, she held up their cuffed wrists and jingled the cuffs. “You have my undivided attention.”

“For starters, you left this.” He pulled his free hand from his pocket. Her diamond cow necklace dangled from his fingertips. “It belongs to you.”

A smile played with her lips and her heart. “I’m guessing there aren’t a lot of women on the lookout for one of those.”

“It’s a one-of-a-kind, made for a one-of-a-kind woman.” He reached behind her neck, taking her cuffed hand along as he latched her necklace in place again.

The charm still carried his heat as it rested against her chest.

He clasped their hands between them. “You’ve taught me a lot, Hillary Wright.”

“What would that be?”

“I’ve prided myself on being fearless in business, fearless in standing up for a cause, even if it lands me in hot water.” He linked hands with her. “But I botched things when it really counted. When it comes to relationships—when it came to the way I handled things with you—I haven’t grown much beyond the kid who hid in his computer room rather than risk having people let him down. I betrayed your trust, and I’m so very sorry for that.”

There hadn’t been many people in his life teaching him how to trust when he was growing up. “The fact that I’m here should tell you something. I forgive you for not telling me right away, and I hope you’ll forgive me for running rather than talking through things.”

“Thank God.” His throat moved in a long slow swallow.

His eyes slid closed, and she realized how, in spite of his grins and jokes, he really was sweating this every bit as much as she was. She mattered to him.

She rested her forehead against his.

Troy threaded his fingers through her hair. “You’re a hundred percent right to demand I pony up my one hundred percent where you’re concerned. You deserve it all, everything, and I want to be the man who makes that happen for you. I need to tell you something else, about Colonel Salvatore and—”

“Your freelance work with Interpol?”

“How did you…? He told you, didn’t he?”

“Yes, he did, when I asked him to help me find you.”

Troy eyed her warily. “And you’re not upset with me for not explaining it myself? I know how important trust is to you.”

“I’m assuming that kind of work isn’t something you just go around sharing with people right away, but you’ll have to clue me in on the nuances since it looks like I’ll be signing on with the colonel, as well. He says his recruit list needs some estrogen.”

For once, she’d stunned Troy into complete silence. His jaw went slack, and he started to talk at least twice, only to stop and shove his hand through his long hair. Finally, he just smiled and laughed. He wrapped his unshackled arm around her and spun her once before setting her on her feet again.

“God, I love you, Hillary. No questions or doubts in my mind, I am so in love with you.” He kissed her once, twice then held on the third time until her knees went weak. “You know I’m going to want to be with you on any assignment so I don’t go crazy worrying. Maybe I should be more laid-back, but when it comes to you—”

“You already are everything I could want, and of course we’ll be together, always, so I can watch your back,” she said against his mouth, her heart so full she could barely breathe. “I love you, too, Troy, my totally original man. Mine.”

“Yes, ma’am, I am.” He kissed her, firmly, intensely, holding for at least seven heartbeats. “I intend to work on being the best man possible for you each and every day.” He sketched kisses over her forehead, along her eyes, finishing on the tip of her nose. “I’m a smart man, you know. I’ll figure this one out if you’ll give me the time.”

“How much time were you thinking about?”

“A lifetime.”

She took his hat and dropped it on her head. “It just so happens, that totally works for me.”