Chapter 10
BEX
Iwoke up alone, but the smell of coffee and bacon told me exactly where Corbin was.
Snagging the black T-shirt he’d left draped on the back of the chair, I pulled it over the camisole I’d slept in.
Since he was so much bigger than me, it covered all but the bottom inch of my sleep shorts, which made me grin at my reflection while I was in the bathroom.
It was only my second morning at his house, but my things looked like they’d been here forever. I liked seeing my toothbrush next to his and my favorite shampoo and conditioner in the shower. It somehow made me feel like my stay here really would be permanent.
After getting ready, I followed the scent downstairs and found Corbin at the stove with his back to me.
His dark hair was still slightly damp from a shower, and he was only wearing a pair of low-slung sweatpants.
Seeing all that tanned skin and the dimples in his lower back above his butt made my belly clench in need.
He turned around when I padded into the kitchen. His gaze raked over me, and heat flared in his eyes. “Morning.”
“Good morning.”
I took in the gloriousness that was his broad chest. In the morning light, I could see his nipple rings and all of his tattoos. The ink that really caught my attention was a geometric emblem on his right shoulder.
When I moved close enough to trace my fingers over the blue and black lines, his gaze dropped to my hand. “Ever think about getting one?”
“Nope, but I really like yours.” I flattened my palm against his shoulder. “What does this one mean?”
“I had the artist blend the Navy cryptologic technician rating badge with some hidden special warfare symbolism so it wasn’t readily recognizable,” he explained, pressing his hand over mine.
I noticed the ink seemed a little faded compared to his other tattoos. “When did you get it?”
“When I was twenty, right after I finished my advanced cryptologic training.”
“Very cool.” I grinned up at him. “Maybe I’ll want to do the same when I finish my studies.”
His dark eyes narrowed. “You trying to be cute while calling me old?”
“I mean…I’m definitely cute.” I wagged my brows and giggled. “But I don’t think you’re old.”
He captured my mouth in a quick but deep kiss. “Good, because you’re not getting rid of me.”
The bacon popped, and he turned to pull out a couple of pieces. As he laid them out on a paper-towel-lined plate, I boosted myself up onto the counter. Then I reached for a piece of bacon.
Corbin caught my wrist before I could steal it. “That one’s mine.”
“You’re cooking a whole package,” I pointed out.
“And that’s the first piece.”
“Looks like the best, too.”
Shaking his head with a sigh, he released my wrist and watched me pop the bacon into my mouth. I made a show of chewing slowly, and his mouth twitched. So I stole a second piece while he turned back to the pan. Then a third.
Corbin shut off the burner and stepped between my knees. He braced both hands on the counter on either side of my hips, caging me in. “You’re a menace.”
“And you like it.”
Instead of answering, he picked up a fresh strip of bacon and held it to my lips. I took a bite, my eyes locked on his. He watched me chew, then fed me the rest of it, his other hand settling on my bare thigh and practically scorching it with heat.
Him taking care of me felt so intimate. “You’re staring.”
“Yup.” He reached for a mug of coffee I had noticed, with cream and sugar already added. “Figured you might need this.”
His thoughtfulness blew me away. “Thank you.”
Corbin’s phone buzzed on the counter, and he glanced at the screen. “Your father’s at the gate.”
I straightened, suddenly very aware that I was still sitting on the counter in his shirt with him standing between my legs. “He is?”
“Yeah, he’s here for a briefing.” He gave my leg a light squeeze, then stepped away to unlock the gate remotely. “Stay right there.”
I sipped my coffee while he opened the front door for my dad and walked him into the kitchen. Dad’s gaze zeroed in on my clothes, just like I figured it would. But I refused to be embarrassed when I liked wearing Corbin’s shirt so much.
Corbin walked straight back to me, settling his hand at my waist.
My father’s eyes dropped to that hand and narrowed, then lifted to his face. “I trusted you to protect my daughter.”
Corbin didn’t seem bothered by the accusation. “I am.”
“From everyone but you,” Dad muttered.
“I’m the only man she’ll never need protection from.”
Corbin’s bold claim made me blush even harder, but now wasn’t the time to get into a conversation like this, so I cleared my throat. “You both realize I’m sitting here, right?”
“I’m always aware of where you are,” Corbin murmured.
“Fucking hell.” My dad exhaled through his nose and dragged a hand down his face. Then he muttered, “We’re going to talk about this later.”
“Looking forward to it,” I replied dryly.
“Sure you are.” My dad set several folders on the kitchen island and got straight to business, which I appreciated.
The less time we spent rehashing the fact that I was currently living with Corbin, the better.
“These are the files I told you about last night. They’re everything I can share at this point. ”
Corbin dipped his chin. “Thanks.”
“Any luck with the search for the SUV?” Dad asked.
“Not yet.” Corbin shifted closer to me. “But one of my preliminary matches will identify the vehicle.”
“Not nearly soon enough,” my father grumbled. “I want these bastards.”
“So do I,” Corbin agreed.
“I have everyone I trust working the investigation from my end.”
I spoke up before either of them could move on. “I want to stay involved.”
Dad’s head snapped toward me. “Bex—”
I refused to back down. “I’m the one who realized the erased call wasn’t just a glitch. I got Nina to open up at the hospital. Shutting me out now doesn’t make sense.”
“You’re already a target,” he shot back. “That’s enough of a reason for me.”
Corbin’s fingers flexed once against my side. “She’s right.”
Both of us looked at him, and my dad shook his head. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”
“Her skills have already made her an asset,” Corbin explained. “Accepting her help is the logical move.”
My father stared at him for a moment, a muscle jumping in his jaw. Finally, he exhaled hard through his nose. “Fine. Targeted questions only. She can help interpret dispatch behavior and assist with Nina if needed. Nothing that puts her in the field.”
“Agreed.” Corbin nodded, then shifted his attention to me. “There are conditions.”
I met his eyes. “I’m listening.”
“You only work on this from a protected location, and you use the secured phone.”
“That’s fair,” I agreed.
“And you do not go back to dispatch without controlled routes and someone on-site with you,” he added.
My nose wrinkled as I considered how I’d make that work with my schedule. It wouldn’t be easy, but I wasn’t in a position to argue. “I guess that’s the right call, just for while I’m at risk.”
“And the second anything feels off, you tell me. Immediately.”
His final demand was easy to agree to. “Okay.”
His gaze stayed on mine a moment longer, as though he was checking for any sign of hesitation. Whatever he saw must have satisfied him, because the tension in his shoulders eased a fraction. “Good.”
For the first time since this whole mess started, I felt like I had a real place in the fight.