But the distance between them was more than he could take.
Before she could react, he closed it, his hands settling on her hips as he pulled her against him. The last few inches disappeared, and for a few seconds, he held her there, as if making sure she was real. One hand slid up to cradle the back of her head, guiding her closer as his mouth found hers.
The kiss wasn’t gentle. It carried everything he hadn’t said—frustration, anger, and something deeper he wasn’t ready to name out loud. When her lips parted, he didn’t hesitate, letting himself get lost in the feel of her. Her arms came up around his neck, drawing him closer, and that was all the encouragement he needed.
With everything that had happened, he should’ve stopped. He knew that.
Instead, he held her tighter, wanting the moment to last, wanting her to feel exactly what she meant to him, even if he never said the words. He didn’t want her walking away from this, thinking it had been nothing.
A soft knock at the door broke through the haze.
They pulled apart, both breathing hard. It took him a second to get himself under control, and he cleared his throat before answering. “What is it?”
Dan didn’t open the door. “I don’t know if anyone’s hungry, but I made some grilled cheese and tomato soup for an early dinner. Brian should be back soon—he called when he left the station about ten minutes ago.”
“Thanks, Uncle Dan. We’ll be right out.”
He didn’t look away from her as he answered, his gaze taking in the sight of her—hair mussed, lipsflushed, and eyes still bright with everything they’d just shared. It was a far cry from the fear and regret he’d seen earlier, and something in him eased at the difference.
Knowing they couldn’t pick up where they’d left off with his uncle waiting, he brushed a kiss across her forehead and stepped back. “We should eat. You haven’t had anything all day, and you need to keep your strength up.”
She didn’t look particularly eager, but she nodded.
He took her hand and led her into the living room as Dan came out of the kitchen carrying a tray with mugs of soup and a plate stacked with grilled cheese sandwiches. The smell hit him immediately, warm and familiar. Dan set the tray on the coffee table and handed Moriah a mug once she sat down.
The older man’s sympathy showed plainly in his eyes. “Figured comfort food might be better than anything fancy.”
“Thank you, Dan,” she said softly. “And thank you for believing in me… both of you.”
KC grabbed a plate, added a couple of sandwich halves, and sat beside her on the couch, close enough that their shoulders brushed. “No thanks necessary.”
Dan’s mouth tipped up in that easy way of his. “What he said. Now eat before it gets cold. What would you like to drink? I’ve got cola, milk, and water.”
“Water’s fine, thank you.” She leaned forward slightly, blowing across the surface of the tangy red soup.
“KC?”
“I’ll take a cola.” He glanced sideways at her, watching as she hovered over the bowl like she wasn’t sure she could manage more than a few bites. “Go on. Eat.”
Her lips curved, and she gave him a small, sarcastic salute. “Yes, sir.”
The soft giggle that followed caught him off guard. It slipped through the tension like a crack of sunlight, and for a second, he could pretend none of this was real—no one hunting her, no danger closing in, no clock ticking down on borrowed time. Just him and her… and what was building between them.
“Ah, finally,” he muttered, shaking his head. “Some respect.”
She bumped her shoulder lightly into his before lifting the spoon. He leaned back, stretching his arm along the back of the couch behind her, not quitetouching, but close enough that if she shifted even an inch, she’d feel him there. Close enough to catch her if she faltered.
At first, she barely ate. A few careful bites. Then a little more. By the time she reached for the sandwich, the tight edge he’d been carrying let up—just a fraction.
Food meant strength. Strength meant she could handle whatever came next.
The back porch door opened.
His attention snapped up instantly, every muscle tightening before he even registered who it was. Brian stepped inside and shut the door behind him, the solid click echoing louder than it should have.
KC was already on his feet. Dan came up beside him, and Moriah set her plate aside and stood. The fragile calm broke as reality pushed back in.
Impatient, KC crossed his arms as he stared at his brother. “Well? What did you find out?”
