Well, he'd already promised if they made it out of this mess, she'd get to choose where they went next. As long as it wasn't back to the UK, he'd agree to it. His choice had apparently been a complete bust.
He was a bit distracted when they were having sex, thank you. And she wasn't throwing it in his face like a horrible reminder of how he'd almost lost her and failed utterly to protect her like he'd sworn to. That was one sin he'd never manage to forgive himself for, ever.
<"I don't know, love,"> he admitted. <"But it's too late to hide now. I've practically had security dropped in my lap and I need you. You're the only bloody person on this ship I know I can rely on."> Mae was one of the best soldiers he'd ever trained.
Cath wrapped her in his arms, shuddering softly as she laid her head against his chest as she had so many times before. He'd no defenses against her when she did that. He'd tried to convince himself that it would cruel to move her when he'd worked her so hard. In truth, he'd known long before he admitted it he liked her right there, in his arms, liked that his heart beat made her feel safe. He wondered if she knew how many times he'd held her just like this while she fought for her life.