of fact. Your sister is alive and well and I know where she is. At least right now.”
Unexpectedly Lexi threw her arms up and yelled “Yes!”
Then, just as suddenly put her hands to her face as tears ran from her eyes. She lunged forward and wrapped him in a tight embrace. She didn’t realize the side of her face was pressed against his hard naked chest.
“Thank you! Thank you! To be perfectly honest, I was really worried that something had happened to her with the way she asked for help. I didn’t even want to think about it, but I just had this feeling that something bad had happened to her.” She pulled back and said, “Sorry, I couldn’t help it,” as she wiped her tears.
She gave a little laugh as if she had been embarrassed by her emotional outburst. She looked at his chest where her face had been and only then did it register how great it felt there. She immediately blushed.
Ryan smiled and his heart pounded faster. When her face was buried in his bare chest it was as if someone had put a defibrillator on him and kick-started the heart that lay dormant in his chest. He felt her tears on his skin and said, “No, don’t be sorry! I would expect it!”
“So where is she? What’s going on?” Lexi quizzed Ryan.
“Turkey,” he paused. “That was actually the easy part. I have more questions for you. I don’t know why it is that I was the one that she wanted you to meet.” He watched her reaction for the answers that he desperately needed.
“I don’t have that answer. I don’t know. I can only make my own assumptions. Are you still in on this then? I’m not afraid of taking this on myself if I have to.”
“Oh I’m with you on this because one thing I can’t resist is a good adventure. Besides this whole situation intrigues me. You intrigue me too, by the way. I could use some good company and after your attempt to trigger a war, you definitely need a little back-up. Who knows, next time you might just get your hands on some nukes!” He gave her a disarming smile and a wink that made her weak at the knees.
Lexi was surprised at his comment. I intrigue him? I wonder what that means. I hope he means in a good way.
Ryan continued. “My best guess is that she wanted you to find me so you would have access to international assets.” He thought for a few seconds and added, “And security, since you are about to be carrying an old and possibly very valuable coin to the other side of the world. Perhaps there are some surprises still waiting ahead. Whatever the reason for me to go along doesn’t even matter. If Kurt thought I was the one that he could trust to help you guys, then I have no choice. Now have some coffee, something to eat, and let’s talk some more. I think we need to really get to know each other pretty good before we start this scavenger hunt your sister has set up.”
“Hold on! You can’t just say ‘or perhaps something is waiting ahead’ and leave it at that. What else is on your mind?”
“At this point, we don’t know. Let’s find out a little more and then we need to identify what exactly our objective is here. It has to be more than to just drag me out of my life here to be your traveling partner. I don’t see anything wrong with moving slowly. I think that we need to think this through carefully before we jump into a situation that we aren’t prepared for. When it comes to planning you can’t be too careful. You have to envision just about any possible scenario if you want to avoid trouble.”
Lexi listened intently and then thought for a minute. Obviously Kate had enough confidence in this guy to put her own sister in this position. Lexi liked his thirst for adventure, because she had the same desire burning in her. She was also relieved that he didn’t turn out to be some robotic all-business military man.
An image of that smile and wink from his unshaven face made her blood warm and her skin feel tight around her small frame. This has possibilities.
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