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“Kiera, wait.” He almost rushed into the hallway and hugged her.
She turned and looked at him, neither a smile nor a frown on her face.
“Please come in.” He stepped out of her way as she walked back toward the door.
“I hope you don’t mind that I didn’t call first.”
He dreamed she’d show up on his doorstep so of course he didn’t mind. “I’m glad you’re here.” Gray jammed his hands into his pockets before they got any ideas to reach for Kiera. “I tried calling, but you didn’t answer.”
“Forgot my phone at work last night. Since I’m working tomorrow, I figured I’d get it then rather then drive back.” She sat on the couch, the only place to sit in the living room.
The night kept getting better. Kiera was in his apartment and she hadn’t ignored his call. With his luck looking up, did he dare ask the question he needed answered?
“You haven’t bought much furniture. Have you decided you don’t like it here?”
He considered an answer then dismissed it.
“Kiera, I don’t think you came out in the rain to ask me that.”
She gave him a smile. “You’re right, but you could still answer my question.”
“For the most part I like it, but I’m lonely. I’m hoping for a roommate soon who’ll help me pick out furniture.”
Tension stretched between them and, he took her hand.
“You have—”
Kiera pressed her other hand over his mouth. “I’ve done a lot of thinking since DC. More than a lot. It’s more or less consumed me.”
He pulled her hand away so he could speak. “Kiera—”
“Please shut up, Gray.”
Gray’s eyes got wide, but he complied.
“I’ve done a little research, too.” Kiera shook her head. “No, that’s not true. I’ve done a ton of reading since I left DC. I can’t believe you worked as an operative for the CIA. You could have been thrown into a foreign prison to rot or been killed.”
“But I wasn’t.”
She glared at him so he’d be quiet. “Stop interrupting me.”
“My lips are sealed, love.”
She narrowed her eyes at him. “I understand why you didn’t tell anyone the truth. It would’ve been dangerous. But I don’t understand why you did it. You’ve got a life that most people only dream about. Why risk it? Did you watch too many Bond movies as a kid or something?”
Gray cracked a smile. “Not exactly. I just wanted to do something besides make more money for my family’s company.”
“You’re telling me you don’t like money?”
“I didn’t say that. I just don’t love business like Trent. Politics bore me to death. I’ll leave that to Uncle Warren and Sara. I couldn’t see myself in the military like my cousin Brett. When the CIA approached me, it intrigued me. It gave me a way to do more with my life. It gave me a way to be someone besides another Sherbrooke. Does that make sense?”
“I think so. What about now? Are you done with them? I can’t spend my life worrying that you won’t come home every time you walk out the door.”
“Yes. My handler isn’t pleased, but I’m done.”
“And you’re okay with that?” It was one thing to say he left; it was another to not regret his decision.
“As long as I have you.” He inched closer until their knees touched. Taking her face in his hands, he met her eyes. “You mean everything to me. I never intended to hurt you. If I could go back and tell you everything from the beginning, I would. Unfortunately, I can’t change the past.”
