Mission: Impossible to Protect (The Impossible Mission Romantic Suspense Series Book 6), стр. 43

“Of course,” Izzy said. “I’m here to do whatever makes Danni happy.”

“Really?”

All three turned to the sound of Danni’s voice. She was in the hotel’s lush white bathrobe, her hair falling tumultuously around her shoulder. She looked like she had stepped out of a shampoo commercial minus the cast, black eyes, and the ankle brace.

Izzy bolted out of the stool and rushed to Danni to pull her into her arms. “Oh, my God. You scared the bejesus out all of us. I’m so glad to see you. We’ve all been worried about you. I’m to report back.”

Lars cringed. He bet the women wanted every detail. What would Danni tell them?

“It’s a great surprise to see you.” Danni towered over Izzy and met his eyes, the heat flaring between them. Was she as disappointed as he was that they weren’t alone?

Hell, he wished for Izzy and Sten to disappear, taking with them every bad news item about Miro and his cousin. All he wanted to think about was her beautiful body, naked under that bathrobe. What he would gladly give to run his hands down her smooth skin, perfectly warm in her robe. How he wanted to keep her safe and unafraid in this suite, protected from the dark and dirty world.

“How can you look radiant and beautiful with two black eyes and a purple bruise?” Izzy asked.

“You should have seen me four days ago. Lars couldn’t hide his horrified reaction.”

“You know that isn’t true. You were…” Lars realized that Sten and Izzy had stopped talking and were watching the volleys between Danni and Lars like a match at Wimbledon.

Izzy took Danni’s arm and led her to the couch. “I’m here to pamper you. I was thinking of all the ways to make you feel better. Tomorrow we could do a spa day. The spa downstairs is fabulous.”

“What a great idea. I hadn’t thought of it, but it would be perfect. I love their Phyto Aromatic Body Treatment.”

“It’s my favorite. It got me through some crazy days at work. The spa was like taking a trip to Paris and totally getting away from my job and all the stresses.”

“I forgot that you lived in the city.”

“We have to go to the Gallery restaurant here for high tea. The scones and cucumber sandwiches are the best.”

Danni laughed, her eyes alight with happiness. Lars found himself grinning back. His respect for Izzy skyrocketed based on her thoughtful suggestions that kept Danni cloistered and safe in the hotel with the team in place, while giving her a break from the suite.

“Food from the Gallery was the first thing she demanded when she arrived,” Lars joked, joining in the charade that this was a holiday and not them running for their lives.

Danni beamed, her eyes filled with mischief. “I think you enjoyed it too.”

She was such a tease to remind him that they had eaten the food in bed after their second episode of lovemaking, where he proceeded to lick the scone crumbs from her body. Heat thrummed through his body, thinking of Danni all flushed from his ministrations.

Lars realized that Sten was right. He was distracted by his intense feelings for her. He had to stay on top of his game. “You need to elevate your ankle and wrist. I’ll get you some pillows.”

Danni stuck her tongue out at him.

Lars didn’t miss the raised eyebrows that Izzy shot Sten. Was Danni ready to declare them as a couple? The timing was all wrong. This wasn’t a romantic holiday. He couldn’t allow himself to get sidetracked and miss something vital because he was mooning over her.

Lars could hear Danni’s low chuckle at something Sten said when he returned to the living room. He tucked a pillow underneath Danni’s wrist, trying hard not to lean forward and kiss her.

Her ankle was warm, and it took all his Raider control not to run his hand along her calf to reassure her that he would do anything to keep her as safe and happy as she was now. Even if it meant that he had to distance himself. “The swelling looks better, but it is definitely worse from the flight.”

Danni looked up at him, her eyes warm and open. Her nearness was too much. He cleared his throat. “I ordered dinner for you. It should be here soon.”

“Thank you.”

Izzy and Sten were engrossed in every word and touch between him and Danni. He didn’t need an audience right now when he was sorting out the maelstrom of his feelings.

Danni grabbed his hand, pulling him next to her on the couch. “Before dinner arrives, we need to talk about Miro’s cousin and how we’re going to handle this new threat.”

No fooling Danni. She was too clever to miss anything. And with Miro as their enemy, it was a good thing.