Covertly Strong (The Strong Series Book 1) (30 page)

“First of all, they are not flaws, sweetheart, they are endearing qualities,” he corrects. “Your second toe is longer than your big toe.”

“What!” She immediately glances down at her flip-flop clad feet with wide eyes. “Oh my god, you think I have Sasquatch feet!” She shouts as she wiggles her toes around, wishing the damn things would shrink.

“Cool it, crazy. I didn’t say that you had big feet. I only said that your second toe is kind of freakishly big,” he goads.

“I’m never wearing sandals again,” she mutters. Her eyes still haven’t left her feet. “No way in hell am I going to let these circus toes out in public.”

“Don’t be so dramatic. Your feet are adorable.” Nix laughs, visibly enjoying her worked-up state. “You tap the side of your nose when you’re telling me half-truths,” he announces, trying to switch her focus.

“Huh?” She finally pulls her eyes away from her toes.

“Sometimes you tap the side of your nose when you’re lying or hiding something.”

“No way,” she argues. “When have I ever done that?”

“The night of the dinner, when our second chance began.”

Her mind rummages through the memories of that night, trying to figure out if Nix is really right or if he’s just being a bullshitter.

“Trust me on this. You might not do it all of the time, but you definitely do it sometimes. Tapping your nose, it’s your little tell.”

“Okay, Mr. Know It All, what’s your tell?” she questions with squinted eyes.

“I only have one tell where you’re concerned.”

“Out with it.” She motions with her hand.

“My. Huge. Cock,” he declares like it’s the most normal response in the world. “He has an affinity for you, and even when I’m mad as hell because you’re being a stubborn pain in my ass, my cock will always stand-up to show you affection. He can never bring himself to ignore you.”

She snorts, more than entertained by his outrageous insight. “God, you’re a randy bastard.”

“Only for you, my little Sasquatch.”

Once several kisses are stolen underneath the dark night, Nix and Sloan make their way over towards a small group of people standing in front of the bonfire. The flames blanket the group in comforting warmth, keeping them cozy despite the cool breeze that flows off the water. Nix makes himself comfortable on a large log that lies next to the fire. Then his hands grip Sloan’s waist, urging her to sit in his lap.

“Well, I’ll be damned. Nixon West finally brought a woman to one of our little shindigs. And she’s so pretty!” a jovial brunette exclaims in their direction. “Introduce us,” she demands.

Nix introduces the two women with a warm tone hinting at his voice. “Mary, this is Felicia. Felicia, this is Mary Stratton, the better half of my buddy Rob—who you’ll eventually come to know as Irish.”

Joy radiates off him. He is beyond thrilled that his Meli is here with the people in his life who are more like family than friends. His heart feels nothing but pride that she gets to be a part of his life. Yeah, she doesn’t go by Sloan and there are still secrets behind her pretty, brown eyes, but he knows with every ounce of his soul that there’s a good reason behind the façade. Despite her guise and secrets and the need to fly under the radar, she’s still Sloan—she’s still Meli—and nothing will change that.

Sloan stands up from Nix’s lap and is visibly shocked by the immediate hug Mary Stratton pulls her into. “It’s really nice to meet you, Mary. I’ve heard a lot about your wonderful cooking abilities,” she compliments wholeheartedly.

“Pretty and sweet? My God, Nix! Marry this girl!” Mary jokes with a spirited tone.

He merely chuckles, mouthing, “Only a matter of time,” in Mary’s direction.

Mary’s lively face brightens with a knowing smile, her eyes showing nothing but warmth and happiness.

“What did you just say to her?” Sloan turns her head in Nix’s direction, quietly scrutinizing his face for clues.

“I will admit nothing,” he answers without missing a beat. He merely smirks in her direction before getting up to grab another beer from the cooler beside the bonfire.

Mary quickly changes the subject, gaining Sloan’s attention again. “So, I heard from a few loud-mouthed men that you had the pleasure of meeting some of the crazy bitches that like to follow these SEALs around?”

“Oh yeah. I enjoyed my little chat with them more than you could ever imagine.” Sloan’s smirk says more than words ever could.

“It’s about fucking time one of these guys brought around a girl who’s not only beautiful, charming, and intelligent, but can hold her own. You and me, Felicia? We’re going to be fast friends,” Mary expresses with delight. “So what’s your overall opinion of the frog hogs?”

Sloan laughs loudly. “Oh I think my opinion is far too colorful for even the crassest ears.” She glances back at Nix just to bring her point home.

He simply grins in her direction. Even when he’s deep in conversation with a few of his brothers, his eyes are always on her, it’s like he’s always innately aware of what she’s doing whenever she’s near.

Mary’s giant smile expresses her delight. “A word of advice from a woman who’s been a part of the Teams for what seems like forever: keep ignoring those skinny bitches that pride themselves on their plastic looks and make it their lives’ goal to snag a man sporting the trident. Most of the women you’ll come in contact with who are actually a part of the SEAL family are pretty fantastic. The other women similar to the women you met tonight? Yeah, not so much. Honestly, the word cunt comes to mind.

“When Rob first joined the SEALs, I was overwhelmed and felt pretty outclassed. I mean, I was three months postpartum after having our largest baby, Liam, and I had to come in contact with women whose favorite pastime was to throw themselves at my husband and defined their fashion sense as Saran-wrapping their bodies in dresses a ten-year-old girl would have a hard time wearing….” she trails off, her eyes appearing slightly distant.

Mary’s focus finds its way back to Sloan. “I’m pretty sure I went anorexic after meeting them. Yeah, it only lasted about four hours…until I realized I needed a fucking cookie.”

Sloan bursts into laughter after hearing some of the best words of wisdom she’s ever received. Mary is the kind of woman she would become close friends with if her life didn’t revolve around covert missions and façades.

She wistfully thinks about the kind of future that is in store for her and Nix if she continues a career with the CIA. The future she wants with him lies smack-dab in the middle of the gray area of life, and the CIA only sees things in black and white—the place where there is no in-between, no other option. Sloan knows this. She recognizes that, in order to savor a future in the gray area of life—the shaded area that has no definite roads—she can’t continue her career as Agent L-55.

And what if that realization isn’t such a hard pill to swallow these days?

THREE DAYS TURNED INTO TWO, and two days turned into one, until it was a mere ten hours before Sloan would have to board her private flight to Guadalajara.

Destination: Mexico.

Time of return: unknown
.

As she tosses a few more belongings that are scattered across the bed into the black, leather suitcase, her eyes make their way to Nix. He sits with his back against her headboard, his gaze never leaving hers.

They stare at each other.

Silence consumes the room as brown irises communicate to blue. No words are spoken. No sentiments expressed. Both of them are consumed with the same overwhelming melancholy that eats away at their souls.

Involuntarily, her body moves towards his. Her beating heart controls her movements, guides her actions, and speaks her words. Her knees find their way to the bed as she straddles his sitting form, their faces almost touching.

Nix’s sharp intake of breath spurs her further.

She kisses him deeply, lovingly, and desperately.

Their lips speak everything that needs to be said as they slowly begin to undress each other, their hands and bodies doing all of the talking. Whispered I love yous are exchanged as Nix intimately connects them—sliding inside her, making them one. Their eyes never leave each other’s longing gaze as they both experience a profound level of intimacy that speeds their aching hearts and steals the breath from their pleading lungs.

In this moment, two souls unite, entwine, and ingrain themselves together in an intangible way—their bodies making the promises of forever for them.
Together. Always.
The importance of this poignant moment is not lost as grasping touches, soft breaths, and deep kisses are exchanged.

With lungs gasping together in unison, two hearts promise forever.

NIX LIES BESIDE HER, HIS fingers tracing her soft skin. The distant clock in the kitchen ticks faster than it should. The unknown hovers over them in a blanket of uncertainty and blurred futures. Neither has spoken a word since they made love, both understanding the need to just be together—to hold each other, touch other, and savor their last moments before Sloan has to ship out.

“I will wait for you,” she whispers quietly into the stillness of her bedroom.

“I know,” he expresses with absolute certainty. “We’re not letting anything get in our way this time. We’ll stay in contact, and eventually—whether it’s weeks or months or even a goddamn year—we’ll be right back here in this very place with your glorious ass bared for my greedy eyes.”