She wondered if he could forgive her hesitation or if it would be the end of them after all. “I was wrong but there were mitigating circumstances.”
“Let’s talk about those circumstances.”
“You know,” she said, trying not to look at him, “you’re free to go now. You got the bad guy. Saved my life—again.”
“I wish that was true.”
“What does that mean?” Did she even want to know?
She slumped against him, too tired for games. Riley had proved himself a jack-of-all-trades, from hanging garland to making her feel treasured in bed as well as out of it. Here, behind closed doors, no one was watching; she could lean in and steal a kiss and no one could call her weak. No one could judge her momentary lapse from police chief to normal woman.
Before temptation got the better of her, Riley came to her rescue again. He gently cradled her face in his palms, holding her steady for his kiss. She watched him close the distance, her eyes drifting shut as his lips met hers. But the kiss was fleeting, not deep as she’d hoped and his breath whispered across her face.
“I’m not free.”
She opened her eyes, caught in the tender, golden-brown gaze assessing her. “What?”
“You have me well and truly caught, Abby Jensen.”
She was so confused, so worried he might have to go—or want to go. “What do you want from me?”
“What I’ve never had.” He smoothed a hand over her hair, his eyes searching hers. “I want roots. A home and family. You, forever.”
It was mutual. It was so mutual. How did he pack so much intensity and intention into those few words? Her heart stuttered. She’d never really understood that a stuttering heart was possible until now. Forever was monumental. Wasn’t it? She barely knew him. But forever was plenty of time to get to know him. There she went, arguing with herself!
“Think about it,” he said, the words soft and warm against her lips. “I’m not leaving Belclare. I’m here to stay.”
“Why?” She wanted him to kiss her the way he had last night when the world and all its problems had simply vanished. She wanted a kiss that blanked her mind and didn’t leave room for questions about the past or present. A kiss that didn’t carry any worries for the future.
“You know why,” he murmured as his lips landed warm and soft on hers.
What started gently escalated as she wound her arms around his waist, drawing him closer and pouring her heart into it. She wanted him to feel what she was too afraid to say. Too afraid to ask. How strange when her heart felt so safe that the rest of her trembled with fear.
Her career, her life’s work, meant facing fear potentially every day. But here, with Riley, she knew there was more at stake and none of it was within her control.
Well, not much of it anyway.
He broke the kiss and studied her face. “You’re thinking.”
She couldn’t deny it. “About you. Me. Us.”
“Us works.”
“Yes, I think it does.” She took a deep breath and blurted out what neither of them could afford to overlook. “Homeland made it clear I’m still a target.”
Riley rolled his eyes, but he didn’t step away. “Tell me Mayor Scott didn’t hear them.”
“He did,” she said with a smile, “but this is about you. I can handle the mayor.”
“I’m not leaving.” He drew her body up tight against his. “Not leaving town.” He kissed her nose. “Not leaving you.” He kissed her lips. “Not leaving us.”
“Because of your assignment?” She hated the way her voice wobbled on the question.
“Because of you. I love you. Get used to it.”
She pushed up on her toes and kissed him again. “I can do that.”
“And?”
“And what?” she teased, trailing a fingertip along his full lower lip. He caught her finger in his teeth and growled just a little. “Oh. I have to say it?”
Another low rumble sounded in his throat.
“But I thought you knew.”
He bit down a smidge harder and she laughed. “All right. I love you, too.” She tugged her finger away. “Whether you’re a carpenter or a bodyguard or just the hunk next door, I love you, too. Forever.”