I turned to Jordan with a raised eyebrow. He leaned in and kissed my cheek in reassurance. I smiled at Bear, bringing the twinkle back in his eyes.
“Well, I don’t see any problems then,” I said, still smiling. Until my gaze fell on Paul, then my smile wilted.
He hadn’t moved or spoken, only watched the scene play out with an eerie look on his face, as if he was memorizing every word. His gaze met mine, and I saw something dark move through his eyes. I didn’t like Paul, not one bit. Something was wrong with that man.
“We will be right back,” Jordan said as he pulled me down the hallway.
Alex followed, as we went into his bedroom. After shutting the door, they both wrapped themselves around me, Alex behind me and Jordan in front. We pressed tightly together, just holding each other in silence for a few minutes before Alex spoke.
“I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you both,” I said, tears forming behind my closed eyelids.
“I love you, Sam,” Jordan murmured in my ear.
“I love you too.
“What about me? I love you too,” Alex whined, as he kissed my neck.
“Ok, ok, I love you too,” Jordan grumbled to Alex, making me laugh.
Alex punched him in the shoulder. It looked like a hard punch, but Jordan’s eyes were shining with laughter.
“I wasn’t talking to you, asshole.”
I laughed harder and lifted my head to place a kiss on Jordan’s cheek. Then I turned and did the same to Alex.
“I love you too, Alex,” I said, smiling. “Two days?” I asked.
Alex nodded. “Three, at the most.”
“Okay. Paul’s not staying here, is he?” I asked. I really hoped the answer was no, because if they said yes, I was going to kick up a fuss. I refused to stay alone with that man.
“No, why?” Alex asked
“There is something about him, the look in his eyes, I don’t know.” I shook my head. “I just have a bad feeling about him.”
I turned to Jordan. “Is he going on the mission with you?”
“Yes.”
“What about Bear? Why isn’t he going?”
“He just wasn’t pulled for this one.” Jordan shrugged.
“Be careful. Please?” I begged.
“We promise.”
Jordan pulled me into his arms, and I laid my head against his chest with a sigh. I loved him so much. I only hoped he was true to his word and was as careful as promised. I didn’t know what I would do without them.
Jordan leaned down and whispered in my ear, causing shivers to race down my spine.
“I will do anything to get back to you, Sam, but I will not be with anyone, but you.”
I pulled back and looked into his deep blue eyes. I knew what he was saying, but I had mixed feelings about it. As much as I didn’t want him to sleep with anyone else, I also wanted him home safe, no matter what he had to do to get there.
I swallowed hard. “Are you sure? I want you safe, no matter what.”
Jordan nodded and kissed my lips softly. “I will be safe, I promise, but no one else, Sam. I want only you.”
I laid my head against his chest again and listened to the steady beat of his heart, as I soaked in his warmth. Alex stepped up behind me, and I turned into his arms.
“You too, Alex. Please be safe.” I pleaded against his chest.
“I promise.
He leaned down to capture my lips in a heated kiss. It was a goodbye kiss mixed with a promise of what was to come when he got back home. His tongue darted inside my mouth, and I groaned at how good he tasted. We clung passionately to each other as our mouths melded into one.
Then movement between us had us parting on a laugh. Ava had taken that moment to flip. Alex got down to his knees and placed his hands on either side of my swollen belly.
“Bye baby, I love you,” he whispered, then placed a soft kiss on my stomach.
Tears of pure happiness were threatening and almost did fall as Jordan came down to the floor next to Alex. He kissed my stomach and laid his cheek gently against the swell.
“I love you, baby Ava.” Jordan’s voice cracked and my tears overflowed.
I never imagined we would end up like this. The love the three of us shared was so special, and I was thankful that our secrets and lies hadn’t kept us apart.
The men finally stood, and after one more embrace, they pulled away.
“We have to go,” Jordan said.
They both kissed me quickly and left the room. I didn’t follow. I couldn’t watch them walk out of the apartment. We had said our goodbyes, and I just wanted some time to myself. They would be home before I knew it, I told myself. I closed my eyes and the tears began to stream down my face, as I heard the apartment door shut.
“Are you okay?” A deep voice said from the doorway.
I looked up to see Bear watching me. His expression was supportive, and I was glad he was there. I wanted some space in that moment, but I couldn’t imagine being alone for the next two or three days.
I nodded my head, but I wasn’t all right. I would be, though, as soon as my men returned.
“I’ll let you rest, but let me know if you need anything.”