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"All I have to offer you is a pullout couch," she said apologetically.
"I don't care where I sleep, as long as you're next to me."
They pulled out the couch, kicked off their shoes, and stretched out on the bumpy mattress. Drew rolled on to his back, and Ria curled up next to him, her face resting his chest, his arm around her waist. She could hear his heart beating, and his solid, warm length made her feel safe and protected. She closed her eyes and let the rest of the world fade away.
* * *
Drew couldn't sleep. The events of the night replayed over and over again in his head. He remembered the gut-wrenching fear he'd experienced when he's seen Ria and Megan on the yacht, fighting for their lives. He'd had only one thought—to get down to that boat and save them. He was more than grateful to his team for providing backup. But the real heroes of the night were truly Megan and Ria.
Ria had taken on bodyguards twice her size. And Megan had not hesitated to do the same. Both women had tremendous will and emotional strength. They hadn’t cowered and cried; they'd fought back. Ria had grabbed a gun and shot Enrique in order to protect herself and her niece and also him. She was one hell of a woman. He'd never met anyone like her. He doubted he ever would again.
He tightened his arm around her as she shifted in sleep. He didn't want to let her go, not tonight, not tomorrow, not ever.
But would things change in the morning, after the adrenaline burned off? The night had always been their time, the mornings not so much. Would she push him away again as soon as the sun rose?
She was independent, and she had Megan to raise. She'd no doubt try to make it sound like he'd be better off dating a woman without baggage. He didn't care about her baggage. Actually, he did care. He was crazy about Megan and watching the kid in action tonight had only left him in awe of her resilience. She'd lost her parents. She'd been hidden away on an island with bodyguards, then she'd been taken away by an aunt she barely knew and forced to live a life of deception.
But Megan hadn't broken under the stress, and she'd never lost her hope, her faith in a better future. She'd called him a superhero, but his actions didn't compare to what she'd done, or what Ria had done.
Megan was a special kid, and he was happy that she was finally going to get to be a kid. She wouldn't have to look over her shoulder anymore. She could get a permanent phone, spend hours on it texting her friends. She could get a driver's license. Go to college. Have a life.
And Ria could have a life, too.
Maybe a life with him.
He tensed a little at the thought. He'd never told a woman he loved her, never. Something had always stopped him. He couldn't tell someone they had his heart unless it was true, and it had never been true—until now.
Closing, his eyes, he blew out a sigh and let his mind drift. It took him right where he wanted to go, to memories of Ria, kissing her, running his hands through her hair, making love to her.
As she snuggled against him, he was tempted to wake her up. But he couldn't do that to her. She needed to sleep, to heal. For now, he would just hold her, and that would be enough.
* * *
Ria woke up alone. She sat up in bed, realizing that the sun was brighter than when she normally got up. The clock on the wall read ten past nine, and the apartment was really quiet.
She was a little surprised that Drew would leave without telling her. Had he had second thoughts about telling her he loved her? Perhaps he regretted his words now that the danger had passed. Drew had been determined to save them, and he'd done that. So what now? They were safe. They were free.
She knew he cared about her, and the chemistry between them was unmistakable. But Drew was a hot shot helicopter pilot who could have any woman he wanted—women who weren't raising sixteen-year-olds.
With a sigh, she got out of bed. That's when she realized the bedroom door was ajar. She pushed it open. The room was empty. Megan was gone.
She felt a familiar surge of panic. Then she heard voices out in the hall. She returned to the living room as the apartment door swung open. Megan and Drew walked in with coffees and grocery bags.
She let a breath of relief. "I was just wondering where you were."
Drew's gaze met hers, and he must have seen the fear in her eyes. "Sorry, Ria. We thought we'd be back before you woke up."
