The rumble of a UTV caught his attention. He smiled and waved at Raven.
She pulled up next to his house and stepped out of the side-by-side. “Hey!” As she closed the distance, he didn’t miss her careful movements. The doctor had warned her she’d be sore for quite some time. He’d worried about her anxiety, of being outside, but she’d admitted to him yesterday that the wide-open space of the compound helped—a lot.
“Raven, how’s my girl?” He chuckled at the cute tilt of her head.
“Your girl, huh? I don’t think I remember an agreement on that.” The smile on her face told a different story.
He carefully tugged her into a hug, aware of her healing ribs. “I guess we’ll have to remedy that. But first, let’s have a seat.”
Raven joined him on the old-fashioned porch swing he’d insisted on installing.
He toed the floor and sent them on a gentle glide. “How are your accommodations?”
“You mean the gorgeous house you’re letting me stay in?”
“That would be the one.”
“It’s perfect. I’m going to miss it once I go home.” The longing on her face twisted his heart.
“I wanted to talk with you about that.” Oh, please don’t let him be making a mistake. “Charlie Team would like you to consider staying permanently. We’d feel better about your safety in case the brainy cat leaps out of the bag. Plus, you work from home anyway. We could create a space in the main office for you. What do you say?”
Her brows pulled together. “It is tempting. And it does make sense. But I don’t know.”
Liam struggled to understand her hesitation. They’d discussed her place in Benton Harbor. How it was her home, yet she felt isolated. He knew she loved the compound. She’d said so. Plus, the sparkle in her eyes and joy in her voice confirmed it. “What’s wrong?”
“I’m just not sure.” She bit her bottom lip. He could see the war within.
He shifted and cupped her cheek. Her eyes lifted to his. In that moment, he realized his mistake.
“Aw, honey.Iwant you to stay permanently.I’dfeel better about your safety. AndI’masking. Not the guys. Will you move here to the compound and be with me?”
“You’re serious? You’re not just trying to make me feel better?”
After all the time they’d spent together over the past few days and the missions they’d worked, she questioned his sincerity? Not going to happen. Not anymore.
Liam lowered his head. His lips, a breath from hers, giving her the choice. When she didn’t pull away, he pressed his lips to hers. Not rushed, but lingering in the moment.
Her hands slid to his chest, and her fingers curled into his shirt, anchoring them in the moment.
He drew back and rested his forehead against hers. “Does that answer your question?”
Raven closed her eyes and smiled. “Yes.”
Their first kiss had been everything Liam had wanted and more. “So, you’ll stay?”
“If you promise we can continue that.” She waggled her eyebrows.
His laugh filled the air. “Oh, of that you can be assured.”
“Good.” She tucked into his side.
He pushed them into motion. “Raven, I love you. I have since the first moment I heard your voice. There was always something about you that made me crave to get to know you. Now that I have, I can’t imagine life without you.”
“I love you too, Liam. And I can’t wait to see where this life leads us.”
Several more mind-blowing kisses later, they snuggled as a quiet settled between them.
His phone buzzed in his pocket. “I better check to see who it is.” But he didn’t move. Didn’t want to.
