Tropical Safeguard (Men Of The Secret Service) (26 page)

“Hmm, yes, that I have.
It’s time to hang up my hat.”

Cole reached out a hand
and Agent Kensing shook it firmly, clearing his throat. “Take care.”

“Goodbye.”

Agent Kensing’s
footsteps faded as Cole remained standing on the flagstone patio facing the
ocean in the distance. Having been ambushed twice during the assignment, Cole
had to agree that Agent Kensing had lost his touch. That was the last time Cole
ever saw the man.

                                   
<><><>

Katrina watched from the window as Agent
Kensing left Cole and approached the house. When he opened the door, she passed
him and he held it open for her.

“Thank you, Agent Kensing.
Take care.”

Katrina’s footsteps were
much lighter than Agent Kensing’s as she approached Cole. It was like she
suddenly appeared at his side. Reaching out, she grabbed his hand and he looked
down at her briefly and smiled before turning his gaze back toward the ocean.
They stood motionless, staring out at the endless beauty. The week at the
mansion had been an emotional rollercoaster, but now only calm waters remained
and the overall feeling around the place was one of relief.

“The entourage are
leaving now,” Katrina hesitated. “I guess you’ll be leaving too?” There was a
clutching in her throat as she fought back her tears. The intensity of the burn
was unexpected. She fought hard not to break down in front of him, though she
was certain her body would betray her.

“I’ll have to escort
them to the airport, yes.” Cole turned and pulled Katrina into an embrace and
she pressed her cheek onto his chest. Holding tight, she found it impossible to
hide her unease. Bringing her out, he searched her face and spotted the silent
tears that now streamed down her face. “Katrina, this isn’t goodbye forever. If
it is, it’s because you don’t want to see
me
anymore. There is no way I’m letting go of you
now that I’ve found you. I’ve been waiting my entire life for you!” He shook
her shoulders gently, accentuating his point. She giggled and wiped her tears
away, his reassurance making her feel a little silly for being so dramatic.

“When will I see you again?”
she asked point-blank. She hated sounding needy, but this moment was a fork in
the road to a future with Cole. Which way would he choose to go? Would it be in
her direction?

                                   
<><><>

Joining her lips with his own, Cole tried
to kiss away her sorrows. He ran a hand into her loose hair, his other hand on
her lower back. She shouldn’t feel sadness. If anything, elation should be her
emotion after what she’d helped him do last night. Releasing her yet staying as
close as possible, he looked down into her bronzed face. There were those long
eyelashes again. Cole knew that thanks in part to Cameron, Katrina would need a
reminder on occasion of just how special she was. He would have to show her
that he was reliable and passionate about her. He would always be
straightforward without a hidden agenda or dangers involved.

“You know,” he said
tracing a finger along her neck teasingly. “I have quite a bit of compulsory
vacation time to use up.”

“Yes?” Katrina looked
hopeful.

“Yep. And my colleagues
have actually suggested I stay behind in Bermuda for a while. What do you
think?”

Katrina’s eyes lit up at
the prospect. “I think your fellow agents are the smartest men I’ve ever met!”

Cole laughed and hugged
her again, running a firm hand up and down her back.

“So, will you stay a
while then?” Katrina asked cautiously.

“Is that another
invitation?” Cole looked down at her, smiling flirtatiously.

“It certainly is.”

“As long as I get a free
Pilates class out of it, then sure.” Cole winked, pulling her in for another deep
kiss.

“I think we’ll get into
many, many interesting positions.”

“Hmm. I’m game,” Cole
chuckled. “And getting to know each other is my main priority. I love spending
time with you.”

“Yes, getting to know
each other without a major drama or kidnapping would be lovely.”

“Absolutely.”

They both laughed
easily, reveling in their mutual understanding.

                                   
<><><>

Jimmy hugged Katrina around the waist and
didn’t let go. She patted his back kindly, giggling at his outward affection.
He finally released his embrace and looked up. He was almost the same height,
but not quite.
        
“Thank
you, Katrina, for saving me. You really kicked their butts!”

        
Katrina
blushed naturally. She looked around the small crowd and her eyes rested on
Secretary Mitchell’s. He was smiling in his appreciation. Katrina looked at
Jimmy again. “Any time, Jimmy. I’m just sorry you had to go through all that. I
hope you can come back to Bermuda someday and have a better time here.”

        
Jimmy
laughed. “I think it will be. Anything’s better than being stolen!”

        
Everyone
laughed. Katrina said goodbye to the Greenbaum’s before they got into the first
SUV with Agent Kensing and left for the airport.

        
“We’re
right behind you,” Secretary Mitchell said as they waved them away. He then
turned to Katrina.

        
“Miss
Turner, I just wanted to privately thank you once again and give you this.”
James Mitchell handed her an envelope.

        
Katrina
took it with a puzzled look on her face. She looked over at Cole who wore a
grin, but shrugged his shoulders.

        
“Thank
you, sir,” she said.

        
“Well,
I know I’m restricted from giving the Secret Service a gift of appreciation,
but that doesn’t include brave civilians like yourself. Consider it a reward
for capturing the criminals. I’ll never forget what you did for my son. All the
best,” Secretary Mitchell put out a hand and Katrina shook it. Still
dumbfounded, she said goodbye to Trudy and received one more hug from Jimmy
before they got into the second SUV. As Damian shut everyone’s door, Cole
quickly kissed Katrina on the forehead and winked.

        
“Be
back soon. Promise,” he said hushed.

        
Katrina
watched as he jumped into the passenger seat and the SUV drove down the long
driveway. The entourage was now on their way back to their busy lives in
Washington after a tumultuous week. Katrina thought they would all need a
holiday from their holiday. She also thought of how much the experience would
alter Jimmy’s life. She hoped the outcome would mean he would be a stronger
person and turn his negatives into positives. That was her plan. She’d had
enough heartache in the last week to last a lifetime. It was time to turn a
corner.

Katrina had watched the SUV until it left
the property and the security gate closed behind it. The silence that followed
felt peaceful for the first time in years. She took a deep breath and felt her
body relax. The sun was shining, birds were singing, and a light breeze invited
her toward the ocean. Instead of going back inside, she wandered down toward
the cliffs and watched the water crash against the rocks below. Inspecting the
envelope Secretary Mitchell had given her, she opened it and slid the
rectangular piece of paper out. Katrina gasped. The check was beyond her
wildest dreams and would go far for her studio down payment. She was on her way
now thanks to The Secretary and a flood of emotion and gratitude overwhelmed
her.

        
Walking
along the ridge of the alcove, she made her way down to the beach. As she
descended the switchback stairs, she thought back to the night with Cameron and
an unavoidable shiver crept over her skin. She simply shook it off and carried
on, ready now to put that behind her.

        
Resting
comfortably in her usual spot, Katrina crossed her legs in lotus and sat still,
sinking into the moment. She remained there effortlessly for half an hour
letting her mind clear, yet the task was next to impossible since it kept
drifting back to Cole. His beautiful face, his voice, his large muscular body.
She felt gratitude for having met him too, and for the first time in her life,
she felt she was getting just what she deserved. The world was full of endless
possibilities.
 

        
Refreshed
and calm, Katrina walked in through the side door of the mansion and sat at the
island as Jacque rummaged through the fridge. He turned to her, a look of worry
on his face.

        
“My
dear, I hope you’ll have enough food here for a couple of days anyway. If not,
there’s always the market in town.”

        
“Stop
worrying, Jacque! It’s been so long since I cooked for myself, I’m actually
looking forward to it. Though it won’t be nearly as exotic as your cooking.”

        
“Thank
you, my dear.”

Katrina watched him rush around, cleaning
up the last of the breakfast mess.
      
“When
do you leave?”

        
“In
a couple of hours. Maybe I should have gone to the airport with Damien, but I
didn’t want to go so early and wait around forever. Besides, Damien is leaving
for his parents for a week to get away from here for a while.”

        
“And
how do you feel about going to France again?”

        
“Relieved.
It’s been over a year since I visited. My family misses me and I miss them and
the city. It’s only for two weeks, but still, it is something, non? I’ll have
to get back and prepare for the Winters’ return from their safari soon enough.”

        
“Yes,
even being away for a little while will help you get over the horrible
experience of the past two days. You need a break, Jacque.”

        
“Oui,
my hands are still shaking, though I’m happy to be alive. Speaking of breaks,
you too need one, Kat. Will you follow your agent then?” Jacques leaned over
the island, giving her his full attention.

        
“Well,”
Katrina couldn’t stop the wide smile from crossing her face.
“Agent Nielsen is staying with me for a
while…here. We’ll see. It’s new.”

        
“Ahhh
love.” Jacque wagged a finger. “Je suis correct. I just knew it!”

        
“Look
at that, you’re an incredible chef
and
a psychic, Jacque. You can moonlight.”

        
Jacques
threw his head back in a belly laugh. “I have immense talents to share!”

With the mansion calm and vacant, Katrina
stood at the front door again, mimicking her stance from her earlier goodbyes.
The cab carrying Jacque had just left, and she now found herself feeling as
alone as ever, though for the first time in as long as she could remember she wasn’t
lonely as much as content. As she turned to walk back into the house, she heard
the front gate open again. The SUV came through and Katrina knew who was in it.
She felt her heart begin to race and a warm feeling of anticipation overtake
her.
Cole
.

                                   
<><><>

Walking out into the driveway, she met
the SUV as it pulled up. Cole opened the passenger door and got out. The SUV
pulled away as Cole pulled Katrina into an embrace before he’d even said a
word. His lips close to her ear, he’d been waiting on pins and needles to get
back to her.

        
“It’s
just you and me now. Let the getting to know each other begin. What do you
say?” He pulled away and looked deeply into her eyes.

        
Katrina
went on tiptoe and kissed him deeply. “Is that a good enough answer?”

        
“Suits
me just fine,” Cole said and kissed her again.

        
Waving
goodbye to Damien as he pulled the vehicle around and out the front gate, they
walked back into the house. On their way to Katrina’s bedroom, Cole squeezed
her hand and grinned casually.