Free It's Always Been You by Victoria Paige

this gig, Travis. All eyes are on the Kennedy delegation to Ukraine. I have every faith in Shephard, but your disappearance over the past few days threw me for a loop and made me nervous.” She looked at Caitlin before fixing her gaze on Travis. “Now I understand why. I’ve known you for over two years, and you’ve lived for your job. That’s why you’re at the top of the game now. Is this about to change?”
    The two friends eyed each other challengingly.
    “I won’t have you questioning how I run my company, Beatrice,” Travis said after a tense beat. “Your job is to find me clients—”
    “Exactly,” Beatrice fired back. “I’m putting my reputation as a security consultant at stake here.”
    “Your concern is legitimate. So, in answer to your question, are things going to change? Fuck, yes. BSI is important to me, and I’m not about to let it implode. I’ve got capable people working for me. I’m just too bullheaded to delegate. But not anymore. Make no mistake, Bee. The Kennedys will get what they’ve paid for, but it’s only fair to let you know, Caitlin comes first.” Travis speared Caitlin with an intense stare. “My marriage is my priority.”
    Emily was grinning from ear to ear, and if Caitlin was speechless before, she could pass for a mute right now. Her whole body tingled with warmth. Travis didn’t mince words when it came to his commitment to her. It was exhilarating and frightening at the same time.
      Beatrice’s face was expressionless as she considered Travis’s words. And then suddenly, it cracked with a tender look as she whispered, “So happy for you, Trav.”
    “Shit. You’re not going to cry, are you?” Travis asked warily.
    Caitlin snickered inwardly. Men.
    “ No, you jerk.” Beatrice punched Travis on the arm fondly. “I’ll leave you guys to discuss business. Nice to meet you, Caitlin. I see Emily has everything under control. I’ll see you both at the meeting tomorrow.” She glanced back at Travis. “You better be there, Blake.”
    “I will.”
    Travis shook his head and closed the door as the redhead sashayed out.
    “She’s an interesting character,” Caitlin said slowly. “Fake girlfriend?”
    Travis winced. “Ahhh . . . we attend functions together, but really, we’re just friends. The media puts a different spin on it, and we just let it play out. Bee’s not interested in a relationship. That’s according to her.”
    “She’s gorgeous. I can’t believe she’s not taken.”
    “She’s a handful,” Travis muttered.
    “Actually, she had quite an intense fling with Travis’s SEAL buddy, Gabe,” Emily piped in.
    “Emily.” Travis’s tone held censure.
    “We can gossip later,” Emily told Caitlin, sotto-voce.
    Travis scowled.
    “Oh, give it a rest, boss. I’m not raking you over the coals.”
    “Aren’t we supposed to go through these files?” Travis demanded sorely.
    “I’ll leave you two to it. I’m feeling a nap coming on,” Caitlin announced.
    “How long have you been awake?” Travis asked.
    “Three hours.” Travis looked disappointed. Caitlin didn’t understand why because he had to work anyway. “Eat. Sleep. Remember?”
    “Leave your door unlocked.”
    “What? Why?”  
    “So I can check on you later.”  
    “Travis, I’m just taking a nap.”
    “Please, sunshine.” He walked to her, looming tall. Caitlin failed to avoid his lips when they touched hers so briefly. “I just need this.”
    “Okay,” she whispered back. She walked unsteadily to the stairs, trying to convince herself that her balance was impaired from her need for sleep. If she was honest with herself, it had everything to do with the merest brush of those damned sexy lips.

    *****
    Your wife is dead, Blake. You failed to protect her.
    Travis jerked awake. Beads of sweat trickled down the side of his face, and his body protested the awkward angle; he had fallen asleep sitting on his chair. That was a fucking nightmare. Porter was standing over