Page 119 of Cornered

“She was teased about being a tomboy,” Lahela finished for him, remembering the story Daphne confessed to her a few months into their friendship. Those childhood friends had scared Daphne into believing something was wrong with her because she would rather ride horses, watch football, and not gossip about boys. “I think she’s perfect.”

“That’s just it. You’ve shown her that she doesn’t need to change who she is to have a girlfriend. And she definitely needed one to discuss all of the things us boys are not equipped to handle.” He gave a little shudder and Lahela hid her smile. “And Nash. He’s a workaholic, but for some reason he’s made hanging out with us for taco night a priority. You’ve brought joy and fun back to his life. And Finn and Fish, well, I go back to the whole girl-talk thing.”

Lahela faced him. “And you?”

Briggs inhaled deeply, his eyes falling to their intertwined fingers before meeting her gaze. “I thought leaving the police department in Dallas and moving home would help me find my place. I’ve always had this idea of what my life was going to look like. It was like a puzzle and all I had to do was keep adding pieces to complete the picture, but it began feeling like I was forcing the pieces. No matter what I accomplishedor how I grew in faith or where I moved, the big picture still felt incomplete ... until I met you. You are the light and the joy and the fun I didn’t know I was missing. You are a piece of my puzzle, Lahela.”

He gently pulled her closer, closing the space between them as he stared down at her.

“I need you because you are the piece that begins the picture of the life I want.”

Lahela’s heart danced beneath her ribs. She was falling in love with this man. “So I’m like an edge piece because those are the most important pieces of the puzzle, right?”

Briggs smiled and she couldn’t help letting her gaze fall to his lips. “Yeah. You’re the piece I want to finish the puzzle with. Only you. Please don’t leave.”

“One thing you should know about me, Briggs. I love puzzles and I’ve never left one unfinished.”

His eyes lifted to hers, a fire in them that matched the one warming her entire body. She leaned into him and closed her eyes, anticipating the gentle touch of his lips on hers and then—

Clapping. Slow clapping that was painfully recognizable.Brothers.

“Bruh, that was epic.”

Briggs groaned and pulled back, his eyes still on her. “When does he fly back to DC?”

“This should get him on a plane quickly.” She tugged Briggs by the collar, removed his Stetson, and pressed her lips against his.

Briggs deepened the kiss, clearly understanding the assignment. And maybe Kekoa made a gagging noise and maybe she heard him scrambling to get away, but she didn’t care because all she cared about was the way her lips moved with Briggs’s in a kiss that was both tender, heated, and everything she hoped for.

If breathing wasn’t a necessity, Lahela wouldn’t have pulled back, and from the hooded expression Briggs was giving her—neither would he.

“That was worth waiting for.” His breathless voice feathered over her skin.

“One more thing you should know about me, Briggs.” She flattened her palms over his chest and enjoyed the feel of his heart beating beneath her fingers. “I think waiting is overrated.”

With that, their lips met again, and Lahela knew she was finally with her people. And finally with her person.