Page 23 of Keeping Laryn
Moving slowly, Casper scooted closer to her on the couch, until his thigh was touching hers. He didn’t touch her in any other way, he’d learned his lesson the night before about moving too fast around this skittish woman. He simply let his body heat seep into her skin.
“I can understand how that call would have unnerved you,” he said, keeping his tone as level as he could.
At the way she turned and raised a brow at his words, he figured he wasn’t as calm sounding as he hoped.
“I mean, he wasn’t completely wrong. Iamsingle, and some would consider me old. Ugly? I suppose that’s subjective.”
“You aren’t ugly!” Casper exclaimed.
“I know. I mean, I’m not ready for the runway or for the bright lights of Hollywood, but I’m okay, I guess. Plain is probably a better word.”
“Laryn, you aren’t uglyorplain. You’rereal. And that’s way more attractive than anything I can think of.” He held out his hand, palm up, and said, “Give me your hand.”
She looked down at his hand in confusion, but let go of the cup she’d been holding on to as if her life depended on it and put her hand in his.
Casper ran his thumb over the back of her hand, over the small scars that were there, over the fresh scrapes, and the tiny smudge of grease she hadn’t been able to scrub out of her skin. “This hand is magic. It can turn a hunk of metal into a sleek, purring powerhouse that can lift several tons into the air. This hand keeps me safe when I’m behind the controls in the cockpit. Knowing it wasyouwho tuned the engine, turned the screws, checked over every inch of the bird I’m flying—in ways machines were never meant to fly—gives me the confidence to do what I do. To take the chances I do. Becauseyouwere the one who got her flight ready. That’s fucking beautiful.”
Laryn was looking at him with wide eyes so full of emotion, Casper felt as if he’d drown simply by staring into the gorgeous brown orbs.
“I’m so sorry you had to listen to that harassment. That’s no way to try to recruit someone to work for them. Insults aren’t exactly a good start to a healthy working relationship.”
“I know.”
“He threatened you,” Casper said in a low voice.
“Yeah. And he scared me. I admit it,” Laryn said. “But I’m better now. He’s in Turkey and I’m here. He doesn’t know where I live. It’s fine.”
“You didn’t think he had your number either…and yet, he called.” Casper hated to bring that up, but he needed her to be smart about this. “If he works for the Turkish Gendarmerie, the special forces, he’s probably got connections.”
Laryn stiffened and tried to pull her hand out of his grip, but Casper tightened his hold. “I’m not saying that to scare you.”
“Well,thatwas a big fail,” she griped.
In any other situation, Casper probably would’ve grinned at her tone. But this wasn’t a laughing situation. Someone had fucking threatened her. Which was unacceptable. “Let me talk to some people. See what they can find out about this Osmanguy. See if he’s all talk or if he has the means and ability to actually follow through with a threat.”
“I’m sure it’s nothing. I don’t want to be a bother.”
“Trust me, you won’t be a bother. Not to my guy. He loves this shit. Finding dirt on people, ferreting out info they think is buried deep enough to never be found.”
“I don’t want the colonel or my boss to find out I was even inquiring about another job.”
That part was trickier. “I’m thinking neither man will assume anything if they hear through the grapevine about your troubles with Osman. You’re the best in your field, Laryn. They’ll probably just think Osman was fishing, hoping to lure you away by offering you tons of money and, of course, a husband. They’ll be more concerned about someone trying to steal you away. Hell, you might get a raise out of this entire thing,” Casper said, trying to lighten the mood.
But Laryn didn’t laugh. “I don’t want any more money. I make more than enough as it is.”
And that was one more reason to like this woman. The more Casper was around her, the more he got to know her, therealLaryn, the more he wanted her.
“Let me talk to him. My acquaintance. He’ll do some digging while we’re deployed and by the time we get back, I’m sure he’ll have all the intel we need to figure out if this is a real threat, or just a desperate man spewing vitriol. Please?”
She sighed. “Fine.”
That was the second time using the word “please” had gotten him what he wanted. Casper filed that away and vowed not to abuse the power that word apparently had over her…at least coming from him. He’d heard some of the mechanics who worked for her pleading to leave early, or for a day off, and she’d stood firm and told them no.
“I have to get up early tomorrow for PT, and it’s getting late, so I should probably get some sleep,” Casper told her.
“Right,” Laryn said, tugging at her hand once again.
This time Casper let it go, but not before memorizing the feel of her calloused palm brushing against his own.
