“Can we please not do this right now,” I told Crispin. Thankfully he nodded.

  “You’re right. First things first.” Crispin took a seat on the couch, one ankle resting on the opposite knee as he beamed up at me. “Tell us all about this dog walker.”

  I squinted at him. “Why?”

  Crispin shrugged. “How else are we going to help you get him back?”

  “Is this really happening?” I looked from Crispin to Jerrott. “Did I hear that right?”

  Jerrott perked up, his smile huge. “Ooh, your date? How did it go?”

  My life was a fucking production. If I tried to make sense of any of this, my brain was going to implode. I dropped down onto the couch with a heavy sigh. Fuck it, why not? I told them everything, from the moment I’d laid eyes on Daniel to my telling him to get the fuck out. When I was done, the room was silent.

  “You’re an asshole,” they both said at the same time.

  I narrowed my eyes at my brother. “What are you? His fucking echo?”

  Jerrott rolled his eyes at me like he always did when he wanted me to know he thought I was a fucking idiot.

  “Come on, Jer. He’s an amazing guy. I can’t bring him into this life.” How could my brother not understand? He knew all about what I did. Since we were kids, we never kept secrets from each other, and it had made the burden easier, knowing I could talk to someone.

  “Bullshit,” Jerrott declared loudly.

  My eyebrows shot up. “Tell me how you really feel, Jer.”

  “Lymond, you brought me into this life.”

  This was true.

  “It hasn’t been easy, but it didn’t change us. It didn’t change how I saw my big brother.”

  This was also true.

  Jerrott reached out to place his gloved hand on mine. “Why don’t you let Daniel decide what he wants for his life, huh? If you don’t try, if you don’t fight for him, you could be missing out on the best thing that’s ever happened to you. It’s time for you to be happy, Lymond.”

  I swallowed hard, not sure what to say, when Crispin spoke up, his voice quiet. “He’s right.”

  You could have knocked me over with a feather. The gentleness in Crispin’s eyes, the fact he was looking at my brother with a smile I’d never seen on him before, had me sitting up. I glanced at Jerrott, who was looking down at his fingers. Was he blushing? What the fuck?

  Crispin stood so quickly I jumped to my feet. He pointed to the door. “I need to go.”

  “What?” I’d never seen him look so spooked. Jerrott stood beside me, and I noticed he was clutching onto my sleeve, his eyes on Crispin.

  “Lymond, go get your man,” Crispin ordered, before his eyes landed on Jerrott, his voice soft when he spoke. “It was good to see you again, Jer. Take care.”

  With that, Crispin disappeared, and I stood wondering when my life had taken such a bizarre turn and how it was possible it just kept getting weirder. Jerrott snapped himself out of it first. He turned to me with a smile that brooked no argument.

  “Now, time to go sweep that man of yours off his feet.”

  I opened my mouth to argue, but Jerrott was already pulling his cellphone out of his pocket. He was in business mode, and suddenly hope bloomed in my chest. It struck me then how lucky I was to have people in my life who loved me. Yes, they worried about me, whether they knew what I did or not, but I wasn’t as alone as I kept telling myself I was. I had dinners with my family, let my brother drag me to his work functions, played pool and had drinks with the guys down at my favorite bar. If I could have them in my life, why couldn’t I have Daniel? If I could take a chance on having my life, and my family, why couldn’t I take a chance on the man I could see myself falling in love with?

  “Jer? I need your help.”

  My brother beamed up at me. “Let’s do it.”

  Chapter Eight

  DANIEL

  I was in a strange dream. Or so it felt like.

  Ever since I’d walked out of the safe house, I felt like I was walking around in a weird trancelike state. Everything that had been so familiar felt foreign. As if the curtain had been pulled back and I could see beyond the illusion to the mechanics of it all.

  I sat outside a little café, drinking my latte and people-watching, wondering when everyone around me had stopped being faceless strangers. I found myself curious about who they were, what they did, what their dreams and fears were. I wondered if they’d been hurt, or if they were loved. I suddenly felt connected to them. Something had changed in me, but I couldn’t figure out what. Either that or I needed to stop having triple shot lattes on an empty stomach.

  A happy couple walked down the sidewalk hand in hand, leaning into each other, smiling and laughing. Lissa had told me there was someone for everyone. That I had a guy out there somewhere, but I wasn’t so sure. Maybe I wasn’t meant to find my forever home. Wow, could I be any more maudlin? It had been days since my life had been turned upside down by one date, but it felt like longer, especially since I couldn’t get him out of my thoughts. I couldn’t help wondering where he was right now. The craziest part of all—I wasn’t thinking about what he might be doing. Instead I found myself worrying about him. Like was he taking care of himself? Eating properly? Getting enough sleep? It was absurd. I’d known him for one day, the man was CIA, and I worried he wasn’t getting enough vitamins?

  A man like Lymond didn’t need anyone to take care of him, or so I kept telling myself, but I knew it wasn’t true. Yes, he could take care of himself out there in the world, but in his heart? He needed that connection to humanity. He needed proof he wasn’t a monster, that he could be loved. I let out a snort of disgust at myself. I really needed to stop pining over a man I couldn’t have and shouldn’t want.

  Having had enough of all the sappy couples still in Valentine’s Day mode, I decided to go home to my empty little apartment. It was the weekend, so my fur babies were with their people and wouldn’t be back until Monday. I sighed as I walked the two blocks to my house, wondering if I should take Lissa up on her offer to join her and her girlfriend for movie night. Not wanting to be the third wheel, I’d told her I had plans when she’d offered. She insisted I call her if my plans changed, which was her way of saying she knew I was full of shit but she loved me anyway.

  I unlocked my front door and walked in, then closed the door behind me. As I hung up my coat, I frowned. Had I left a light on? It was dark out now, so the glow coming from my living room was evident. The lights flickered, like a flame, and I panicked that something had caught fire. I darted into the living room and came to an abrupt halt when I saw all the candles strategically placed around the room, along with gorgeous bouquets of red roses. My dining table was set for two with gleaming silverware, a candle in the center of the white tablecloth, and a vase with a single red rose.

  “Hello?” I slowly walked through my apartment, a shiver of excitement going through me, but I was confused when I found the place empty. What the hell was going on?

  The doorbell rang, and I went to answer it and opened the door wide. I gasped at the sight before me.

  “Hi.” Lymond stood on my front step, his black coat open to reveal black jeans, a gray V-neck sweater that matched his eyes, and a white T-shirt underneath. He held a bouquet of circus roses—my favorite—in one hand and against his hip, he held a large box with a wide red ribbon and a big red bow on top of the lopsided lid. The box moved, and I jumped.

  Lymond chuckled. “Can I come in?”

  I nodded, not sure what else to say or do. I stepped aside, and he handed me the flowers before he walked in. My pulse fluttered, and my heart beat furiously. Quickly, I closed the door and hurried into the living room after him. He sat down on one end of the couch and placed the box carefully beside him.

  “This is for you.”

  I placed the roses he’d given me on the counter for the moment and joined him on the couch, curious. He looked nervous, and I was still having trouble believing he was here. The box jumped, and I stared at it before snapping myself out of it. I removed the lid and gasped, tears filling my eyes.

  “Oh my God,” I whispered as I reached in and pulled out the furry golden retriever puppy. It wiggled excitedly, and I hugged it close, burying my face in the super soft fur, laughing softly when it licked me wherever its tiny tongue could reach.

  “It’s a he,” Lymond said, clearing his throat. “I know he’ll never replace Summer, but you have so much love to give, Daniel. Don’t let fear keep you from the joy sharing that love could bring.”

  I smiled fondly at him, and he cupped my cheek, wiping it with his thumb. His touch was so gentle I couldn’t help but lean into it. “You did all this?” I asked, motioning around us.

  “My brother helped.” Lymond’s smile faded, and he took one of my hands in his. We laughed when the puppy licked his fingers. “I know I’m not the fairy-tale prince you deserve, Daniel, but I promise to do everything I can to be worthy of you. I’ve never felt this way about anyone, never needed anyone the way I need you. If you say yes, I promise there will be no secrets between us. Whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you, and if you still decide you can’t live with what I do, I’ll stop.”

  I stared at him. “You’d give it all up? But… we hardly know each other.”

  “A lot of what I do requires having good instincts. I’ve trusted my instincts, and they’ve served me well throughout my career, never steered me wrong. Right now, every fiber of my being is telling me not to let you go, so if giving up that part of my life is what it takes to keep you, then I’ll do it.”

  Lymond would give up a part of himself for me? Because I had no doubt in my mind that what he did was a part of him. A way to make a difference in people’s lives. “What about the people who need you?” Who would bring them closure? Who would make sure those who hurt them, took so much from them, wouldn’t hurt anyone else? Holy shit, was I really doing this? As if sensing my thoughts, Lymond squeezed my hand.

  “We don’t have to decide any of that now. All I’m asking you right now is will you give us a chance? Please, Daniel.”

  I searched his silver eyes filled with so much hope, so much affection. His hand was warm in mine, and I thought about the last few days without him. Pulling my hand out of his, I saw the way his expression fell. I stretched my hand out to him and smiled.

  “Daniel Anderson.”

  Lymond stared at my hand, his eyes widening. His smile was radiant as he took my hand in his and shook it.

  “Lymond Lawson.” His eyes sparkled with something akin to adoration, and oh, I could so get used to being on the receiving end of that look. He motioned to the squirming pup on my lap. “Who’s your friend?”

  I thought about it for a moment. “This is Sonny.”

  Lymond reached out to scratch Sonny behind his ears. “Hi, Sonny. Mind if your dad and I continue our date?”

  I’d been so caught up in us, I’d forgotten why he was here. I stood and placed Sonny in the doggy bed beside the couch, and he immediately pounced on the squeaky toy, his little tail going nuts. He was so stinking adorable. I loved him already.

  Lymond took my hand, and I turned, ready to melt into a puddle of goo from being the center of the man’s attention. He kissed my hand before leading me to the table, where he pulled out my chair for me. I thanked him and took a seat, my eyes riveted on the man’s powerful body as he moved into the kitchen. He’d looked gorgeous and imposing in a suit, but dressed casually in jeans and sweater, he was giving me heart palpitations, and not just because of how handsome he looked, but because he looked happy. He opened the stove, pulled out several containers, and placed them on the counter. I liked seeing him moving around my kitchen. He looked like he belonged there.

  Minutes later, he returned with two plates of food, and my mouth watered at the smell. My smile was ridiculous when I saw my dinner was exactly like the one I’d had at the steakhouse the night we met. I placed my napkin on my lap as he placed the plate in front of me before he returned to the kitchen, and I laughed when he placed a cosmo in front of me. With a wink, he took a seat across from me, the same meal, and even the same brand of beer he’d had on Valentine’s Day in front of him.

  I couldn’t remember the last time I’d been so enchanted. Everything was perfect. The candlelight, the dinner, but the best part? The best part was the company, the way little creases formed at the corners of his silver eyes as he smiled and laughed with me. Lymond told me about his younger brother. How he’d shown up at his apartment, pounding on his door, ready to protect Lymond from Crispin. How normally his brother was all serious and level-headed, but in that moment when he thought Crispin was going to hurt his big brother, he’d lost his shit. I laughed at Lymond’s description of the entire thing, how crazy it had all been, but mostly I was relieved Crispin hadn’t hurt him.

  “I don’t think he would have done it,” Lymond confessed thoughtfully. “Crispin is very good at what he does. He doesn’t miss.”

  “Does he work for the CIA?”

  Lymond hesitated, and I put a hand up.

  “It’s okay, Lymond. It’s none of my business.”

  “No.” Lymond reached out across the table to take my hand. “When I said no secrets, I meant it, but I won’t lie and say that I can tell you about what I used to do or what it entailed. It’s not about trust, but national security. If I can legally tell you, I promise you I will.”

  I smiled and nodded. “I understand perfectly. I don’t expect you to start divulging government secrets just because we’re dating.”

  His smile was radiant, and it made the butterflies in my stomach go crazy. “Thank you. And yes, Crispin still works for the agency. Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t have admitted to that, but Crispin decided to be an asshat and risk exposure by operating on US soil. Not that he gives a shit. He’s always done whatever the fuck he wants.”

  “Sounds like a handful,” I teased.

  Lymond rolled his eyes. “You have no idea.”

  Dinner was amazing and so was dessert. I felt a little flushed wondering what came next when Lymond pulled a little remote from his pocket, his smile wicked as he pressed something. Music filled the room, and I threw my head back and laughed.

  “You thought of everything, didn’t you?”

  Lymond waggled his eyebrows and stopped beside me, his hand held out. “Dance with me?”

  “I’d love to.” I placed my napkin on the table and stood, laughter bubbling up as he twirled me into his arms. He wrapped one arm around my waist, one hand around mine. I slid my free hand up to his chest, my eyes locked on his as we danced around the living room. Sonny decided to join us, pouncing and running circles around us, his furry paws slipping on the wooden floor making him look like a little maniac. His tongue lolled as he alternated between barking excitedly, howling, and rolling around. I had two new men in my life, and I couldn’t be any happier.

  Lymond brought me in for a kiss, and I melted against him, loving the smell of him, the taste of him, the strength of his arms, and the silent promises in his kisses. We might not be perfectly matched, but who needed perfect when we had everything we never knew we wanted?

  “Are you sure you’re ready for this?” Lymond asked, his head lowered and pressed to mine.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck, my smile wicked. “Are you sure you’re ready for this?”

  Lymond laughed as he lifted me into his arms. I wrapped my legs around him and kissed him as he walked me to the bedroom. Oh yeah, I was so ready for this.

  Coming Soon

  Crispin Fox will return in Silent Call, the second book in the Compromised series.

  A note from the author

  Thank you so much for reading Center of Gravity, the first book in the Compromised series. I hope you enjoyed Lymond and Daniel’s adventure, and if you did, please consider leaving a review on Amazon. Reviews can have a significant impact on a book’s visibility on Amazon, so any support you show these fellas would be amazing. We have more books yet to come, including Crispin’s book, Silent Call, which is up next.

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  Follow me on Amazon to be notified of a new release, or connect with me on social media, including my Facebook group, Donuts, Dog Tags, and Day Dreams, where we chat books, post pictures, have giveaways, and more!

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  Thank you again for joining Lymond and Daniel on their adventures. We hope to see you soon!

  Also by Charlie Cochet

  FOUR KINGS SECURITY

  Love in Spades

  Be Still My Heart

  Join the Club

  Diamond in the Rough

  COMPROMISED

  Center of Gravity

  PARANORMAL PRINCES

  The Prince and His Bedeviled Bodyguard

  THIRDS

  Hell & High Water

  Blood & Thunder

  Rack & Ruin

  Rise & Fall

  Against the Grain

  Catch a Tiger by the Tail

  Smoke & Mirrors

  Thick & Thin

  NORTH POLE CITY TALES

  Mending Noel

  The Heart of Frost

  The Valor of Vixen

  Loving Blitz

  Disarming Donner

  Courage and the King

  TITLES COMING SOON

  THIRDS

  Gummy Bears & Grenades

  Darkest Hour Before Dawn

  Tried & True

  THIRDS Beyond the Books: Volume 1

  THIRDS Beyond the Books: Volume 2

  THIRDS UNIVERSE TITLES

  Love and Payne