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“What about your family?”
He smiled. “I’m a SEAL and an operative. We’ll see our families.”
“I can’t let you give up your life.” Her voice broke. “The sacrifice is too great.”
“You are my life.” Cal’s voice was gentle. “I wouldn’t survive without you.”
Rachelle’s breath caught. He couldn’t mean that. Could he? “I don’t understand.” But she wanted to.
He lowered his head and captured her mouth with his. Molten heat shot through her veins at his possessive touch.
Long minutes later, Cal lifted his head, his eyes glittering with desire and another emotion she couldn’t name. He drew in a slow, deep breath as though steadying himself. “I love you,” he said simply. “I’ve waited a lifetime for you, Rachelle. If you go into witness protection, I’ll go with you.”
Stunned, she couldn’t form coherent thoughts. Her heart raced in a mad rhythm. “I don’t know what to say.”
He cupped her cheek with a trembling hand. “If it’s the truth, tell me you love me. I don’t want a lie to spare my feelings.”
Rachelle kissed him. “I love you so much I can hardly breathe at times, Cal.”
He closed his eyes for a second. “Thank God. If you’d rejected me, I would have launched a campaign to win your heart.”
She smiled. “I fell for you on our first coffee date. I didn’t believe I had a real chance with you, though.”
“When I walked into Micah’s outer office and saw you behind that desk, no other woman held any interest for me.”
“I heard the women at work talking about their plans to ask you on a date.”
“They asked. I turned them down. I haven’t dated anyone but you in the past year.”
“Why didn’t you ask me to dinner or a movie?”
“Every time I worked up the courage, Brent sent me for more training or on a mission. When I returned, the cycle started over again with the coffee dates.”
“I would have said yes.”
“Good to know. The pace gave me the opportunity to know you better without the pressure of dating expectations.” He smiled. “You didn’t realize I was courting you slow and easy. SEALs excel at stealth.”
“Mission accomplished. You stole my heart.”
Cal sobered. “You own mine.”
At that moment, Eli jogged around the corner of the house. “We’ve got trouble.”
Cal straightened. “What is it?”
“Brody called. A team of men triggered the safe-house sensors at the half-mile mark. They’re closing fast. Texas needs backup.”
“Could be a diversion.”
“I know. You staying or going?”
“Going,” Rachelle said. “Your team needs you, Cal.”
“So do you.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Let’s move you into the safe room. Don’t come out for any reason until I come for you.”
Cal gripped her hand and led her to his bedroom first. He dug into his bag. When he stood again, Cal showed her two small skin-colored patches. “These are trackers. For my peace of mind, will you wear them until I return?”
“Of course.” Whatever he needed to be able to concentrate on his job instead of worrying about her.
