Page 35 of Condor’s Vow

Chapter 13

Hattie sighed as she walked back into the ER after her four-week hiatus. Her father was making progress after finally turning the corner. They had settled him in his new place nicely. The staff at the facility were terrific, and she wasn’t sure if it was professional courtesy or if they were as open with all families. Still, they kept her up to date with his progress daily and were always happy to discuss his care multiple times a day.

Things with her and Clay were perfect, more than perfect, and making love that first night seemed to have opened a flood gate. They couldn’t get enough of each other, the second they were alone they were naked, and he was making love to her or fucking her against every flat surface in his home and against a few doors.

It was unlike anything she’d ever known. Hattie had previously had good sex, or so she thought, but this was another level, read-about-it-in-a-romance-book stuff. When they weren’t naked, they talked about everything, from her family to his. Their jobs, likes, dislikes, dreams, and on all of it, they seemed to be aligned. Yet neither of them had said the words I love you.

He showed her in everything he did, but Clay hadn’t said he loved her, and it niggled a little, but she hadn’t said it either so she could hardly talk. He had a lot on his mind with work and the First Responder Killer. With her staying at his place for the last two weeks, things had gone quiet for her at least, but for Clay, the heat was on him and his team.

Hawk and Sandstorm had come over a few nights for dinner so they could work the case after, and she knew from listening they were getting a lot of pressure to close this case, but so far had hit dead ends.

Hattie had got to know a few more of Clay’s friends, but the ones she couldn’t wait to meet were Reid and Callie. Clay’s best friend and his sister were there for Thanksgiving, which was next week, and they were having drinks that night after her shift ended.

To say she was nervous was an understatement, not because of who Callie was, although she knew she’d take more time fussing over her clothes than usual but it was what these people meant to Clay that had her wanting them to like her.

Lucky for her the first shift back was chaos with a bus crash meaning she didn’t stop even to pee for the first seven hours and by the time she’d finished she’d had no time to freak out. Closing her locker door, she waved to Clive, the orderly who had been a big help today, and called goodnight as she walked toward the exit.

Her job was exhausting, but she loved it and wouldn’t change it for the world. What she did made a difference, and no two days were the same. Clay was waiting at the exit to the ER, looking handsome in dark jeans, a burgundy sweater, and a navy wool coat teamed with black boots that were slightly scuffed. It made him look good enough to eat, clean and put together but with a slight edge that really made her body take note.

“Hey.”

“Hey, you.”

He slipped his arm around her as he reached her and dropped his head to kiss her as if he hadn’t seen her in a month, not twelve hours. It was one of the things she loved about him, that he always seemed to be so genuinely happy to see her. Being with her was never a chore for him; it was a pleasure, and she felt the same way.

He pulled away and licked his lips. “Hmm, missed you, gorgeous.”

“It was only twelve hours, Clay.”

Her hand was in his as he walked them to his car and ushered her inside, his eyes continually watching for any threat. Once inside, he shut the door and quickly made his way around the front and climbed into the driver’s seat. Starting the engine, he waited for her to buckle up before pulling out into the traffic.

“And yes, it was twelve hours too long.”

Hattie felt her heart melt into a puddle as he grabbed her hand and kissed her knuckles before placing their joined hands on his thigh.

They were stopping off at her place so she could change before heading out to eat and were going to stay there tonight. It was the first time since Halloween she’d stayed there, and she knew it was long overdue. This was her home, and she wanted to have her future there. She wondered if Clay would want to live there knowing it was her family home or if that would be too weird for him.

“I can hear you thinking over there.” He glanced across at her, and she smiled.

“Would you ever consider moving?”

Clay cocked his head and looked at her again, not answering straight away as he made a turn. “Yes, my place is only a rental. Why, what’s on your mind, gorgeous?”

Hattie shrugged feeling embarrassed, but she had committed to it now, so she forged ahead. “I was just thinking if this thing works out between us and we take the next step eventually, not yet of course because it’s way too soon, if you’d be happy to live in my home or if it would be weird for you.”

Clay pulled into her driveway as she said it, and floodlights lit up the space. He got out of the car, and she panicked that she’d pushed too fast too soon. He came around and opened the door and led her up the walkway, unlocking the door for her and going inside and turning off the new alarm his friends had fitted for her.

Hattie moved to escape past him to get dressed, angry that she had ruined the night by jumping ahead. Clay caught her arm and brought her up against his body that was cool from the outdoors. Hattie buried her head in his chest as he rested his hands on her lower back, holding her in place.

“Look at me, Hattie.”

She lifted her head and couldn’t read his expression. “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

“I’d be honored to live here with you, and for me, that day can’t come soon enough. I love you, Hattie. This is it. You’re the one for me. I knew it the first moment I met you and each day has only cemented that.”

“You love me?”

Clay grinned. “Yes, gorgeous, I love you, and one day I’ll put a ring on your finger and make you mine forever, and we’ll raise our kids in this house and tell them about their amazing grandparents and how we met.”