Page 124 of Hidden Tide
Ben’s thumb remains against my cheek.
“This probably isn’t the time.”
“It’s a terrible time.”
“The worst.”
“I still want to hear it.”
His gaze holds mine.
“I’m falling in love with you, Calle Sinclair.”
The fear inside me loosens.
I rise on my toes and kiss him.
Ben gathers me carefully against his chest, mindful of my bruised shoulder. His mouth moves over mine slowly, tenderly, as though we aren’t surrounded by armed officers and thirteen years of secrets.
For a moment, there is only Ben.
His warmth.
His strength.
The promise in his arms.
Then Agent Marquez’s phone rings.
We separate but remain close.
She answers it near the table.
“Marquez.”
Her expression changes as she listens.
“When?”
Keating moves toward her.
“What is it?”
Marquez ends the call and looks at Thomas.
“We have Kessler’s employment history.”
“Did he leave Customs?” Thomas asks.
“He transferred into a federal maritime intelligence unit eleven years ago. Most of his work since then is classified.”
Ben and I return to the others.
“Where is he now?” I ask.
Marquez hesitates.
“That’s the problem. Charles Kessler is still active.”
