I sprinted to the doors, my heart in my throat.
Security stepped in front of me, blocking my path.
He smiled, but there was no warmth in it. “Good morning, sir. May I see your travel credentials, please.” He crossed hisarms over his chest and waited for me while I yanked out the identification card the Seals had provided me and my driver’s licence. “Thank you. Head to the left. They’re about to board now.”
My heart crashed against my ribcage.
My legs turned to jelly.
The floor swallowed me up, slowing me to a crawl with every step I took.
I rounded the corner.
The team was lined up, walking through the doorway to the jet.
My breath caught. My lungs squeezed tight. I couldn’t see him.
No.
But I could still ask for him to disembark. I could still ask to speak with him for just a moment.
I had time. Didn’t I?
I skidded to a stop and scanned the men and women queued up to board. He wasn’t there.
I looked over at the recliner lounges. Not there either.
My hands shook. My pulse raced. My stomach revolted, the coffee I’d drunk that morning sitting in it like battery acid.
Frantic, I raced to the line.
There. He was there.
Alec sat alone. His back was bowed, elbows propped on his knees, and his head was hung low. His carry-on luggage sat by his feet.
He was a sight for sore eyes.
“Excuse me,” I mumbled as I pushed through the line.
When I reached him, I fell to my knees before him.
Alec flinched as I landed. But that was his only reaction. He didn’t look up. He didn’t unclasp his hands.
I reached for him, sliding my hands down his forearms to his wrists. I waited, hoping he would take my hands.
He didn’t.
I moved my hands lower, my fingers caressing his palms.
Alec looked up. His jaw was clenched tight, and his blue eyes were a flint grey, dark and stormy. But it was agony, not anger, in the lines around his mouth and the wetness on his eyelashes.
“I’m sorry. I fucked up. I convinced myself that what I wanted was impossible, but I didn’t even ask. And I didn’t say what needed saying.”
Alec swallowed and lifted his chin almost defiantly.
“I hurt you—again—and I can’t believe I nearly let you leave before I woke the fuck up.” I shook my head and sucked in a breath, kicking myself. Jesus fucking Christ. Relief slammed into me as I looked him over, gorgeous in his dark suit and tie.
“I don’t want this to be over. I came to say that. I’m in love with you, and I want you and Cara.”
