Page 45 of Unintended Love

“I actually brought a suit to wear, including a tie. I don’t know what the equivalent of that in dresses is, but I will say, a dress is definitely appropriate.” He smiled at the thought of her in a sexy little black dress that clung to her every curve. He just hoped he could keep his hands off her until they made it back to the hotel room.

She turned toward him and ran her hands up his chest. “I’d know what to wear if you told me where we were going.”

He grabbed his hands in hers and placed them on his thigh. “If I told you where we were going, it wouldn’t be a surprise.”

She glanced at him and tilted her head. “If we weren’t already married, I’d think you were going to ask me to marry you.”

He held up his left hand, purposely catching the gold band in the streetlights. “We’re already married.” He looked at the simple gold band on her left ring finger. It warmed his heart until he realized she wasn’t wearing a diamond with it. Damn. He needed to buy her a diamond ring. After this mission was over, he’d take her shopping and let her pick out her own ring. The necklace was his birthday present for her. He hoped she liked it.

That night, their lovemaking was gentler. Slower. In his mind, they were more like what he imagined a married couple after many years, still caring but not feeling the necessity to rush through every position in the Kama Sutra. Clint smiled as he fell asleep with Ashlin, satisfied from her last orgasm, curled into his side, her bare breasts against his chest, one leg thrown over his legs, her hand directly over his heart. The heart that was now hers.

On Friday morning, as they walked into the Homeland Security building where they’d been working all week, the halls seemed to vibrate with the latest news.

“Did you hear?” A woman with natural red hair grabbed Ashlin’s arm and pulled her to the side of the hallway.

“I guess not. What’s up?” Ashlin pulled Clint over to join them.

“The FBI is going to hold a press conference at nine o’clock this morning to announce the attack they halted. This group of anti-Americans were going to attack the President and all those people who are coming to the big cage fight this weekend on the lawn outside the White House, using commercially purchased drones and arming them. In the chaos, they had snipers to take out the people who were running away. This is classic terrorist tactics.”

“Clara, this sounds like information we, here at Homeland, would track.” Ashley pointed out.

Her friend just smiled. “It was. We discovered this information two weeks ago, but somebody with a much bigger paycheck than mine decided the FBI needed to make this bust. We turned everything over to them ten days ago, and we were redirected…” She stepped closer and lowered her voice to just above a whisper. “To your project. Things were moving fast there last night.” Clara fought back a yawn as she took two steps backward. “Great seeing you again. Have an awesome weekend.” She winked before she stepped into the flow of outward bodies.

“Let me guess where she works,” Clint said facetiously.

“If you guessed intelligence analysis, you’d be right,” Ashlin replied with a smile. “We’d better get down to the conference room. We have to finalize everything so we can give our report to Katlin this afternoon at three.”

As soon as they stepped into the secure room, Clint scanned the new satellite pictures on the screens that covered every wall except the one with obscured windows, which they kept blurred, so no one from the outside could see them.

While everyone got coffee or their caffeine of choice, all ten team members strolled around the room, observing the new photographs.

Before they had time to even sit down, Katlin strode into the room. “Does anyone see anything in these new satellite pictures that is going to change your plans?”

Everyone stared at Kayla and Clint, who stared at each other for a few seconds before returning their attention to Katlin. “No, ma’am,” they said in unison.

“I know I told you we would meet at three o’clock this afternoon, but if you’re ready, I’d like to hear your plans, now.”

A moment of panic ran through Clint. Usually, he would have his team brief him on any upcoming mission, allowing him to poke holes in it and play devil’s advocate. They obviously weren’t going to get to do that today. He glanced at Kayla once again and gave her a small nod before she turned her attention back to her boss.

“We had hoped to practice our presentation, but we have confidence in our plans.” Clint watched her gaze sweep the table. Every group nodded.

Katlin sat down in an empty seat and ordered, “Let’s begin.”

Between the ten of them, every team member presented some aspect of the mission with confidence.

Near noon, Katlin stood up and announced, “This sounds like a solid plan. I see that it includes the new Black Swan helicopter. Have you considered who you want to contract to bring it to Montana?”

Clint stood up. “My brother, Van Riggs, has our converted C-5 here in the States. Since Homeland has used him and that particular airplane several times, I’m positive he’s completely vetted. Besides, Van has already seen the aircraft in question.

“Oh, yeah, that’s right.” Kat smiled at the women who worked for her every day. “My Ladies had to stop to refuel at your father’s base. Next time you talk to him, tell them I said he’s welcome.”

Clint lifted one eyebrow.

Katlin smiled as though she knew the secret he didn’t. It bumped him to the head of the line with a certain aircraft company. He should be receiving his test model within a few weeks.”

“Thank you, ma’am. Van is going to be thrilled to hear that.” Clint smiled at Katlin. Maybe he’d just wait until the perfect time to tell Van about his new helicopter.

If you approve, please send the standard contract to the Riggs Corporation. I’ll be sure everything gets approved within hours.”