Ronan says mine and means protected.
I reach up and pull him down and kiss him.
He makes a sound low in his throat and his arms come around me and for a moment we're just that, wrapped up in each other on Patty's front porch while the mountain dark settles in around us and Derek Sutton packs his bags two miles away.
When we break apart, Ronan's forehead drops to mine.
"Come back to the cabin," he says.
"Ronan—"
"Just—" He stops. Recalibrates. "I want you where I know you're safe. Until Judge confirms Derek's gone."
I should argue. Should tell him I'm fine here, that Patty's house is perfectly safe, that I don't need him watching over me like I'm something fragile.
But I don't want to be here.
I want to be wherever he is.
"Okay," I say.
He kisses me once more, soft this time, almost careful, like he's handling something that matters.
Then he steps back and I go inside to get my things.
Patty looks up from her knitting when I come in.
"You're leaving," she says.
"Is that okay?"
"Honey, you're a grown woman. You don't need my permission." She sets down her knitting. Looks at me with those sharp eyes that see everything. "But for what it's worth, I think you're making the right choice."
"Do you?"
"That man just went toe-to-toe with your ex-boyfriend to keep you safe. And he didn't ask for anything in return. Didn't make itabout him." She stands. "That's rare, Harper. Don't let it go just because it's fast."
I hug her. Quick and tight.
"Thank you, Patty."
"Anytime, sweetheart."
I grab my jacket and walk back out to where Ronan's waiting by his bike.
He hands me the helmet without a word.
I put it on and climb on behind him and wrap my arms around his waist, and when the engine starts and we pull away from the curb, I don't look back.
I just hold on.
And let him take me.
Chapter 16 – Ronan
The cabin is dark when we pull up. I cut the engine and for a moment neither of us moves, her arms still around my waist.
Then she slides off and hands me the helmet.
