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Her lower lip quivered.
“You don’t have to say it back—”
She lifted on her toes to kiss me. This time, it wasn’t a clash of wills and fear. It was solid and true and us.
As even as the ocean at dawn, but as always, there was a tempest just under the surface.
She slid her arms around my neck as she dragged her fingers through my hair to hold me right where I was. Not letting me move a millimeter. She murmured against my mouth. At first, it was a mere whisper, then it was a hum, and then it was my name.
“I love you, Ransom.”
My lips stretched into a smile, making her laugh. I hadn’t thought I still could, but that was just one of the gifts she gave me.
“There are my dimples.” She brushed her finger along the dents hidden by my beard.
Or so I told myself.
She gave me one last quick kiss. “I’m still mad at you though.” She reached into the truck for her bag.
“Typical. I tell you I love you and you can’t let the other part go.”
“Nope.” She patted my cheek. “Now I need coffee before Aidan gets here.”
She brushed by me, trailing lemons in her wake. Already, she had a new preoccupation, and it wasn’t me.
“Midnight!”
I hung my head. Her laugh soothed some of the fear still crowding my chest. I wasn’t sure it would ever leave me after what had happened tonight.
She crouched in front of my dog to give him all the scratches and rubs then they went in the house together.
Following at a slower pace, I made sure my security was engaged and checked my app on my phone to see if anything was caught on the various cameras on my property.
I should have thought to put some at the edges. That would be rectified before dinner.
He’d gotten to her because I hadn’t been smart enough. Not thorough or careful enough.
It wouldn’t happen again.
I ran up the porch stairs and followed her inside. Love crowded in and made things more complicated, but there was no putting that back in the box.
I wouldn’t lose her. Period.
“Let’s put some of your editing skills to the test, Chaos. We need to post a video.”
“Just let me clean up.”
I crossed to her, my fingers tightening into fists as her abrasions showed up even more in the light. Including some swelling. My hand wasn’t steady as I touched the wound. “Let me get the first-aid kit.”
“It’s okay.”
“It’s not. It’s starting to swell.” I went into the kitchen and grabbed the bag of peas in the freezer I kept for just such a use. They worked better than the regular blue ice packs any day. Then I found my first-aid kit under the sink and put both on the kitchen island.
“Up you go.”
“Ransom…” She blew out a breath when I plunked her on the counter. “I can take care of it.”
“I know you can, but I want to. Let me do this.”
