Valor on the Move by Keira Andrews Page A

provolone.”
    Shane smiled, his cheeks creasing. “Would be a challenge to make a cow.” He peered into the trees again.
    “It’s seriously fine. There’s no one out there.”
    Shane peered down at him. “Those are what we call famous last words, Rafa.”
    Hearing Shane say his name gave him a highly inappropriate thrill. “Good point.” He got to his feet so Shane wasn’t looming over him. “There are some cookies too. Peanut butter snickerdoodles. Oh, I should have asked if you have allergies.”
    “I don’t. Love peanut butter.” Shane took another bite of his sandwich. When he swallowed, he asked, “So why are we here in the middle of the night?”
    Because I wanted to go somewhere it was just the two of us for miles. Rafa shrugged. “I like this spot. I thought it would be pretty with the moon. Guess I’m getting a little stir crazy at home. Probably because it’s not really a home . Even with the third floor to myself, staff still come up there. You’re never really alone in the White House.”
    Shane watched him with an intense gaze. “You’re not alone here either.”
    “I know, but it’s different with you.”
    “Different how?” Shane still watched him.
    Rafa grabbed the thermos off the ground and took a drink. “I dunno. You’re cool or whatever.” He put down the thermos and the rest of his sandwich before stepping up on a rock right by the water’s edge. “It’s peaceful here. I love water.”
    “Don’t get too close.”
    Rafa rolled his eyes. “I’m not going to fall in.”
    “Let’s not make those famous last words either.”
    “I know you wouldn’t let me fall.” As the quiet words left his mouth, Rafa’s smile faded, and the air suddenly felt electric. The river hummed, and Shane watched him, his half-eaten sandwich still in his hand.
    To break the strange tension, Rafa forced a laugh and went right to the very edge and stood on one foot. “Not even if I did this. Or—”
    Rafa swung his arms to keep his balance as the traitorous rock shifted beneath him, but in a blink he was in the water, the cold stealing the air from his lungs as his ass hit the rocky bottom and the current tugged hard at him. Then Shane was there hauling him up, his hands gripping Rafa’s upper arms.
    Blinking, Rafa looked at Shane, and then down at where the water rushed around their knees. Lifting his head, he met Shane’s gaze, and after a frozen moment, they burst out laughing.
    “I think I’m okay.” Rafa snickered. “I can just…you know. Stand up.”
    His shoulders shaking, Shane still gripped Rafa’s arms. “I told you not to get too close.”
    “You did. You totally, explicitly told me so.” He tried to stop laughing, but standing there with the water flowing around their knees, it was all just so silly.
    But then Shane tugged him forward and wrapped his arms around Rafa’s back, and a giggle died in Rafa’s throat as he held his breath. His arms were pinned at his sides, and Shane…Shane was hugging him.
    “I’ve got you,” Shane murmured.
    He was warm and big, and Rafa’s face was at the collar of Shane’s shirt. If he turned his head he’d be pressing against Shane’s skin, and—
    Jerking back, Shane stumbled on the rocks, managing to catch his balance as he reached solid ground. His gaze darted around, and he ran a hand over his shorn hair. “I… We’d better get back. You’ll catch a cold.”
    Rafa’s pulse rushed in his ears over the sound of the water. What just happened? Did he…why did he do that? Does he…? No. It’s impossible. Shut up. Rafa carefully climbed back up on the rock. He unzipped his sodden hoodie and wrung it out. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to… Sorry.”
    Shane’s voice was strained. “It was an accident. Come on.”
    Rafa quickly packed up the thermos and their abandoned half sandwiches and hurried to the vehicle. Inside, Shane turned on the engine and adjusted the heat.
    Rafa pulled his panic button from his pocket. “Um,