I nod and step back, then wipe my eyes. “I feel better.”
“Good.” He shoves his hands into his pockets. “So, love, huh?”
I smile and roll my eyes. “Shut up.”
He grins, a crooked smile I know better than my own. “Look, you could do so much worse than Sawyer.”
“That’s high praise coming from the guy who once said I dated from a pool of losers.”
“Well.” He shrugs. “You didn’t have the best taste. It’s clear things have improved.”
“Does that mean I have your blessing to date one of your best friends?”
“You’ve always had it.” He grins. “I’m just glad Sawyer actually stepped up. Though, I guess we now have to find something else to mess with him about.”
“Did everyone know but me?”
“Pretty much.” He glances up the stairs. “I’m going to go gather the team so we can make a plan before Sawyer goes in tonight. You stay away from windows. We scanned the whole place for bugs and set up cameras around the entire perimeter. No one is getting within ten yards of this place without us knowing about it. So long as you stay inside, you’re safe.”
“I’ll do just that then. I will follow every rule you set until he’s caught.”
“Good. Love you, Anastasia.” He scrunches his face. “And I’m sorry for being a jerk.”
“I love you, too, Zane. And it’s okay. I’m kind of used to it by now.”
He laughs, then turns to leave. As soon as the door closes, I flip the lock and engage the security system. Then, I make my way up the stairs. Even with things as heavy as they are, being home feels right.
It feels—almost normal.
Except, when I push open the door and see Sawyer dressed head to toe in black, that normalcy vanishes.
Wearing black cargo pants, black boots, and a black t-shirt, he looks about ready to march off into battle. Which, I suppose, is exactly what he’s planning on doing.
“I don’t think you should do this,” I blurt, fear of losing him pushing past every single rational thought I had. “Sawyer, there has to be another way. We can’t?—”
He closes the distance between us, cups a hand behind my head, and pulls me in so close I can feel his breath on my face. “I love you, too,” he whispers, then slams his mouth down onto mine.
The kiss is soul-stirring.
It sears me straight to the bone, burning through every thought I have until they are completely consumed with the feel of his mouth moving against mine. I open up beneath him, gripping the front of his shirt like it’s the only thing keeping me grounded in the moment.
Desire burns hot and fast within me, turning my blood to a raging inferno running through my veins. The only thing in this world I need is this man right here.
Sawyer.
My best friend.
He pulls away and releases me to run the pad of his thumb over my lower lip. “That’s more of what I had in mind for our first kiss.” He grins. “Not that the hospital bed wasn’t fantastic.”
“Uh-huh.” My mind is spinning, unable to focus on even a single thought. And then his words hit me. “You love me?”
He grins. “You were pretty loud downstairs. I wasn’t trying to listen, but I wanted you to know that we’re on the same page.” Sawyer drops his hand and steps back. “I love you, Anastasia. And given how early it is in our relationship, I’m pretty glad you said it first.” He winks, and I laugh.
“Technically, you did. Since I only said it to Zane.”
“Semantics.” He reaches down and pulls on a tactical vest, then checks his pistol before sliding it into a holster on his hip. “Zane left it all here for me.”
“Sawyer, I have such a bad feeling about this. I don’t?—”
