Free Whirlwind (SAI Book 2) by Lea Hart Page A

crossing her arms around her waist told him the kissing portion of the evening had ended.
    Standing, he tried to adjust himself before he moved around the counter. “Okay. Should we spar tomorrow, or do you want to work the bags in my garage?”
    “I’m working out with the guys at CA. I won’t need a second session.”
    He lifted her hand and pressed a small kiss against her skin. “You’re not going to try out the new kissing technique with anyone else…right?”
    “Are you asking me if I’m going to lay my lips on any of the men when I spar with them?”
    “Yes, Sara. That’s what I’m asking. I don’t want your lips on any other man. Just me.”
    Patting his chest, she let out a patient breath. “That’s asking a lot, Grady. There are a lot of cute men over there, and it might be hard to control myself. I don’t want to make a promise that I can’t keep.”
    He lifted her face and noticed she was trying not to laugh. His heartbeat slowed down, and he went from DEFCON 1 to DEFCON 3. Totally manageable. “What time are you going over there?”
    “I’m meeting Richard at ten. I’m not sure who I’m sparring with.”
    He kissed the top of her head and smiled. “I’ll come by at nine and take you. That way, when you get tempted to kiss someone, I’ll be available.”
    When her face scrunched up, he laughed. He released his hold and started to walk toward the door. “I’ll see you tomorrow. After we’re done, we can grab lunch.”
    “You’re a little heavy-handed with the plans. Did you consider asking me before you inserted yourself into my schedule?”
    He leaned against the door and grinned. “I have to protect my interests. I have no idea what’s going to happen if I let you loose on the town.” He winked and opened the door. “Lock up and set the alarm.”
    Before he had the door closed, she called out, “You can try and slow me down, but you can’t stop me.” His laughter was her answer. “He’s awfully sure of himself. We’ll just have to see about that.”
     

CHAPTER SIX
    Saturday
     
    Sara opened her door and saw Grady standing there with two mugs of coffee. He handed her one and then walked into the house. “Good morning.” She glanced at her watch and lifted her eyebrows. “Seven seems a little early for a visitor.”
    “Really? I brought you coffee and I added cream. I hope it’s enough.”
    She took a sip and smiled. “It’s perfect.” He grabbed her hand, led her over to the couch and waited until she sat down. When he remained silent, she started to worry about why he was so serious. “What’s going on?”
    “I want you to know that I don’t consider you a sure thing. I know that I have to win you properly. I think you got the wrong impression last night. And I want to make sure that you understand I’ll do whatever it takes.”
    “What exactly do you want?”
    “You to myself. I found you, and now I want you, and I’m not going to let you go.”
    Tilting her head, she smiled. “I’m not a penny you found on the ground that you can claim.”
    “See, I think that’s where you’re wrong. I’m falling for you in a way that’s never happened before. It’s scaring the shit out of me, and that’s why I’m acting so possessive and crazy.”
    Sipping her coffee, she wondered if he was sane. Six days didn’t seem long enough to develop the feelings he had. “Why now? We met a year ago and nothing happened. Are you sure this isn’t a reaction to what happened with your ex-girlfriend?”
    “It has nothing to do with that. When I’m around you, my heart beats double time. That in and of itself is crazy, because my resting heartbeat is around seventy. My adrenaline spikes, and that hardly happens in the heat of battle. I spent fourteen years facing all kinds of nasty evil, and I never felt this way. So…it must be the real thing.”
    “Are you comparing me to being in a battle?”
    “No. Maybe… It’s hard to tell.”
    “It could just be a midlife