Want to play baseball? she asked. Shanes eyes opened, and he stopped stroking her hair.
What?
First base, she said. Youre already there.
Im not running the bases.
Well, you could at least steal second.
Jeez, Claire. I used to distract myself with sports stats at times like these, but now youve gone and ruined it. Another damp, hot kiss, and his hands trailed down her neck, featherlight. Over her shoulders, brushing skin her thin jersey nightshirt left bare. Down
Dammit. He rolled over on his back, breathing hard, staring at the ceiling again.
What? she asked. Shane?
You could have died, he said. Youre sixteen, Claire.
Nearly seventeen. She moved up against his side, cuddling close.
Yeah, that makes it all better. Look
You want to wait?
Yeah, he said. Well, obviously, not my first choice, but Im all about second thoughts right now. But the thing isI dont want to leave you. His arm was around her, and there was nothing in the world to her but the warmth of his body against her, and his whisper, and the utterly vulnerable need in his eyes. But its not going to be easy for me to say no. So help me out here.
Her heart was pounding. You want to stay?
Yes. I He opened his mouth, then closed it, then tried again. I need to stay. I need you.
She kissed him, very gently. Then stay.
Okay, but so far as baseball goes, second base is as far as I go.
Youre sure about that?
I swear.
And somehow, he kept his word, no matter how hard she tried to convince him.
Shane was still asleep, curled in a heap among the pillows, snoring lightly. Shed gotten his shirt off at some point, and Claire lay in the soft glow of the rising sun, watching the light gleaming on the strong muscles of his back. She wanted to touch himbut she didnt want him to wake up. He needed to sleep, and she had something she had to do.
Something he wasnt going to like.
Claire eased out of bed, moving very carefully, and found her blue jeans crumpled on the floor. The envelope was still in the back pocket. She opened it and slipped out the stiff, formal paper, unfolded it, and read the note again.
She put the contract on the desk, looked at Shane, and thought about the risk of losing him. Of Eve and Michael, too.
I, Claire Elizabeth Danvers, swear my life, my blood, and my service
Shane had said she was a hero, but she didnt feel like one. She felt like a scared teenager with a whole lot to lose. I cant watch him get hurt, she thought. Not if theres anything I can do to stop it. MichaelEveI cant take the risk.
How bad could it be?
Claire opened the drawer and found a pen.
THE END