Page 126 of Missile Strike

She was still sitting in the same position when he came out to escort her into the house.

Gathering her dress in her hands, she dodged Trip and hurried up the stairs. “I need to get out of this gown before Trip covers it in dog slobber and fur.”

“I’ll let him out to do his business.” He wasn’t as concerned about the tux. He’d get it dry-cleaned when he got back to DC.

Shit.

Back to DC.

The realization brought him up short. He’d told Bella he’d stay, but they hadn’t discussed what staying looked like. A week? A month?

Permanently?

He’d have to go back long enough to pack up some more clothes and personal items from his apartment. He’d asked for time off, but another assignment would come along soon that required travel. And another after that.

He stepped outside with Trip and tipped his head back to gaze at the sky, as if he’d find answers in the stars overhead.

Could he keep his promise to Bella? He’d been living his life on his own terms since he was nineteen, moving from one adrenaline rush to the next.

A warm nose nudged his hand. He gave Trip a pat on the head and crouched to peer into soft brown eyes. “I love your mama.”

He still hadn’t said it to Bella, and he wasn’t sure why. Maybe because telling her felt like a commitment—marriage, family. Forever.

He wasn’t sure he knew how to be the kind of man who built a life instead of chasing the next adrenaline rush.

But he wanted to try.

Dragging his hand over his sternum, he pressed against the ache building there. “I love your mama,” he repeated. Soft enough that only the dog could hear him. “I hope it’s enough.”

In the living room, Bella waited on the couch in a pair of gray sweatpants, a faded pink tee hanging off one shoulder. She’d removed her makeup and her hair fell in waves around her shoulders.

She gave him a soft smile, her golden eyes shimmering in the light from the table lamp next to her.

His breath hitched. Damn. She was as beautiful now as she’d been all dolled up.

Tell her.

The words crowded his throat, elbowing each other to break free.

She might not even believe him when her father still employed him as her bodyguard.

When the threats to her were over, he’d do it right. Take her out somewhere fancy. Buy her flowers. Bring her home and make love to her.

Say the words.

In the meantime…

He deliberately arched a brow. “You’re dressed.”

She glanced down at herself, then back up at him, her nose wrinkling in a way that reminded him of the girl he’d known in high school. “I changed into comfy clothes. Aren’t you going to?”

“Nope.” He reached for her hand and tugged her to her feet. “I’m going to get naked. As are you.”

A laugh burst from her, lighting up her entire face and stealing his breath. “I see where this is going.”

“You’d better.” Still keeping possession of her hand, he guided her up the stairs to her bedroom.

Lifting a hanger from Bella’s closet, he hung his jacket, then took a seat on the bed and tugged off his shoes. Next, he ditched the bow tie and removed his cufflinks.