Marked (Hostage Rescue Team Series) (25 page)

“By the way, I’ve got the day off tomorrow,” Jake murmured against her skin.

That got her attention. “You do?”

“Yep. So unless something goes sideways, I’m all yours until Sunday morning.”

Ooh, the possibilities…

He chuckled as if he knew what she was thinking, the warmth of his breath tickling her. “Thought I could take you to the range for your first lesson.”

She twisted around to look at him. “Really?”

“You up for it?”

She beamed at him, already looking forward to it. “Totally up for it. And then lunch and maybe a rappelling lesson after?”

His white teeth flashed in the midst of his dark stubble as he grinned, little crow’s feet fanning out from his eyes. “Love the enthusiasm, but one thing at a time, babe.”

She turned back around to face the TV. “Yeah, guess I have to be careful not to wear you out on your day off.” Her comment got her a grunt and a tickle in the ribs.

For a while she lay there basking in the cozy atmosphere, but she quickly bored of watching the game. “Your team’s losing by six runs in the fifth inning,” she finally said to Jake. “You really want to keep watching?”

“I guess I could be persuaded to stop,” he whispered, his voice taking on that seductive edge that made her all shivery with anticipation. “What should we do instead?”

Brandon made a strangled sound and shifted again on the loveseat.

Rachel bit back a laugh. Taking pity on him, she rose and tugged Jake to his feet. “G’night, Brandon.”

“G’night.”

She headed for the master bedroom, her entire body humming with the awareness that Jake was right behind her. She heard Brandon turn the volume on the game way up. Presumably to drown out any psychologically scarring sounds he was afraid he might hear.

Turning to circle her arms around Jake’s neck, she raised up on tiptoe to kiss him as he walked her backward into the room and closed the door with a firm click, locking out the world for the rest of the night. The sound had barely registered before his hands got busy stripping her out of her work clothes, his mouth slanted across hers as he deepened the kiss, his erection hard against her belly.

“Mmmm,” she murmured into his mouth, heat exploding low in her abdomen. Suddenly impatient, she broke this kiss long enough to grab the hem of his T-shirt and yank it over his head, flinging it to the floor. With a low growl Jake fisted a hand in her hair and brought his mouth down on hers, a primal, possessive claiming. She shivered at the thought of what was coming. Fast this time. Hard. Then later, soft and slow, taking the time to explore and tease to their hearts’ content.

And the night was still very young.

As Jake lowered her onto their king-sized bed, Rachel gazed up into his heated stare and smiled in anticipation, her body alive with tingles. A whole night and an entire day off with Jake. She was going to make the most of every single moment she had him all to herself.

*The End*

Thank you for reading MARKED. I really hope you enjoyed it and that you’ll consider leaving a review at one of your favorite online retailers. It’s a great way to help other readers discover new books.

If you liked MARKED and would like to read more, turn the page for a list of my other books. And if you don’t want to miss any future releases, please feel free to join
my newsletter
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http://kayleacross.com/v2/contact/

Romantic Suspense

Hostage Rescue Team Series

Marked

Titanium Security Series

Ignited

Singed

Burned

Extinguished

Rekindled

Bagram Special Ops Series

Deadly Descent

Tactical Strike

Lethal Pursuit

Danger Close

Suspense Series

Out of Her League

Cover of Darkness

No Turning Back

Relentless

Absolution

Paranormal Romance

Empowered Series

Darkest Caress

Historical Romance

The Vacant Chair

Erotic Romance
(writing as
Callie Croix
)

Deacon’s Touch

Dillon’s Claim

No Holds Barred

Touch Me

Let Me In

Covert Seduction

A big shout out to my readers, who demanded a story for Jake. Thanks so much for your support!

As always, to my long-suffering critique partner, Katie Reus, who has to listen to me whine whenever I hit a wall with the storyline of whatever book I’m working on at the time.

Julieanne Reeves, you left this world far too soon and you will be missed greatly by those of us who got to know you. If the world was filled with people as warm and supportive as you, it would be a much better place to live in.

Todd, you’re the best proofer a gal could ask for, plus you work for cheap, which is AWESOME, so thank you.

And last but not least, to Joan, my editor who I met at RT in New Orleans this year, a big squishy hug. Thank you for your eagle eye!

NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards and has been nominated for both the Daphne du Maurier and the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.

You can visit Kaylea at
www.kayleacross.com
. If you would like to be notified of future releases, please join
her newsletter
. Direct link:
http://kayleacross.com/v2/contact/

• Title page
  
• Author’s Note
  
• Table of Contents
  
• Prologue
  
• Chapter One
  
• Chapter Two
  
• Chapter Three
  
• Chapter Four
  
• Chapter Five
  
• Chapter Six
  
• Chapter Seven
  
• Chapter Eight
  
• Chapter Nine
  
• Chapter Ten
  
• Chapter Eleven
  
• Chapter Twelve
  
• Chapter Thirteen
  
• Chapter Fourteen
  
• Chapter Fifteen
  
• Chapter Sixteen
  
• Epilogue
  
• Complete Booklist
  
• Acknowledgements
  
• About the Author