Page 43 of Deserving Cora
“I know. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think so. Can I admit something else?”
“Of course.”
“I know I’m not supposed to want a protector. I’m a modern woman, and I don’tneeda man. But traveling here opened my eyes a lot. Usually when I’m going about my business, some men stare. They think it’s their right to say whatever they want, no matter how inappropriate, or to undress me with their eyes. Or they dismiss me completely. They look through me, as if I’m not important enough for them to notice. But when I’m with you, no one treats me disrespectfully. I felt as if I could relax for the first time in public. It’s…I know that’s not a popular thing for women to want, or think, but I can’t help it.”
“No one will eventhinkto look at you with disrespect when I’m around.”
“I know,” Cora said with a small nod. “That’s what I’m saying.”
“I think most women are probably a happy medium between you and your friend Lara. They don’t think every person they meet could be their other half, but they don’t think they’re out to get them either,” Pipe said after a comfortable few minutes of silence.
“I agree.”
“You don’t have to be afraid of me, Cora,” Pipe said in a tone she couldn’t interpret. “You’re in no danger from me. Physically, emotionally, or in any other way. There’s something about you that I…” His voice trailed off.
“Yeah,” Cora agreed.
“You feel it too.” It wasn’t a question.
She nodded against his shoulder.
“The timing’s not great,” Pipe said, and she could clearly hear the humor in his tone now.
“Right? Like…thanks, universe, for putting a guy I think I might actually be able to trust and who I want to get to know better in my path, right when the shit’s hitting the fan.”
Pipe chuckled, and the sound vibrated through her. One of his hands moved from around her to clasp the back of her neck gently. Cora tilted her head so she could see his face. He was so close. She could feel his warm breath against her cheek. Smell the coffee on his breath that he’d drank with dinner. Her body began to tingle under the blanket. She’d never felt this close to a man before. As if she wanted to melt into him.
“One thing I’ve learned over the years,” Pipe said, “is that you have to grab hold of opportunities when they present themselves. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve been in the middle of an intense op, and suddenly something utterly unexpected happens. Kids start a pick-up game of football, we come across a choir practicing and singing the most beautiful songs ever, someone randomly gives up intel that turns out to be vital to getting out of a particular situation alive. In every case, when I’ve gone with the flow…kicked around that football, stopped to listen to a song, took information we were given seriously…things turned out all right in the end.”
“And when you didn’t? When you stayed the course? Focused on what you were there to do?” Cora asked.
“Things went to shit,” Pipe said flatly.
“So…you’re saying we shouldn’t ignore what we’re feeling,” she said with a small smile.
Her core clenched when he smiled down at her. “Exactly.”
“So if we get the urge, we should drop down on Ridge’s front lawn and have wild monkey sex?” she teased.
Pipe burst into laughter. His head flew back and he chuckled, long and heartily. And Cora had never been as turned on in her life as she was right at that moment. His head tilted back down, and she could’ve sworn his blue eyes twinkled as brightly as the stars over their heads.
“I’m not sure I’d go that far. But maybe we could start with a kiss.” His thumb on the back of her neck caressed her as he spoke, making goose bumps break out on her arms. “You know, test the waters.”
“You think?” Cora asked breathily.
“Oh, yeah. And for the record…you’re the only woman I’ve brought up here. This ismyplace. Where I go when I need to relax, to get away from the world. My safe space.”
Cora’s heart turned over in her chest. She knew how big of a deal that was, that he was sharing it with her.
“Now it’s your safe space too,” he added.
“No,” Cora said with a shake of her head. “You’remy safe space. I have a feeling it doesn’t matter if we’re here, on a plane, in a coffee shop, or in a dungeon in some terrorist’s hideaway…I’m safe with you.”
“Bloody hell,” Pipe sighed. “I’m going to kiss you now,” he warned.
Cora smiled up at him. “Okay.”
But he didn’t move. Simply stared down at her.
