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Eventually she drummed up the courage to meet his gaze. It was impossible to hide her feelings and she was done holding back. He’d become so essential to her life. Travis was everything she could’ve dreamed up for a lover, as a partner, and as a friend. She had to tell him.
She smiled, felt her lips wobble, and willed the expression to hold. “Wherever your next assignment takes you, I want you to know that I love you. I love you, Travis.”
His eyes went wide, his mouth opened and snapped shut. She felt his breath shudder. “Lila.”
She waited a beat, but he only stared at her. So she filled the gap. “For me, it was lust on the yacht. I admit you were easy to crush on. Probably because I didn’t see any future so there was no risk.” But here she was, feeling all the risk now. “It grew.” She rested her fingers over her heart. “It grew and turned to love. Truly.” She bit her lip. “I think it was somewhere over a tropical chocolate croissant.”
“Who makes those?” He bent his head and his lips feathered across hers. “They sound decadent,” he murmured.
He was such a boost to her ego and confidence. Easing back, she smiled. “I love you.” His hands slid to her hips and she curled her fingers around his wrists. Saying goodbye was awful. “Carry that with you, all right?” She reached up and patted his chest. “Wherever you go, know that you’re loved.”
“Lila.”
Her heart cracked, just a little, over how he said her name. Maybe she didn’t have the wherewithal for a passionate night of closure after all.
“What if I don’t go?”
After a stuttering breath, her heart leaped, taking flight. She wanted him to mean that so badly. She wasn’t sure she hadn’t imagined his reply. “You…you want to stay?”
He nodded, the spark of happiness in his gaze warming her all the way to her toes. “Brookwell Island is a little small for a protector as big as you.” Why was she arguing?
Because it had to be his choice for the right reasons. She didn’t want him to stick around out of misplaced obligation. “Gram will understand if I tell her it didn’t work out.”
He snorted. “She’d hunt me down for sullying your reputation.”
He wasn’t wrong.
Tipping up her chin, he caught her full attention. “Small island or not, I have other skills. I’ve spoken with the agency. Personal protection isn’t the only option. There are short-term assignments and special teams. Heck, the Inn has bigwigs coming through all the time. Consulting is also an option. And training. The list goes on.”
“Does it?”
He kissed her lightly and she swayed closer, wanting more.
“Worse comes to worse,” he continued. “I’ll go back to construction. The hours would line up closer to your bakery hours.”
“No. No, don’t do that.”
“Why not?” He scowled. “You don’t think I’m any good at building?”
“I think you’re amazing at everything you do, but my heart can’t take any more muscles.” Indulging herself, she squeezed his biceps. “Just thinking about you sweating through your shirt? Oh, my.” She fanned her face.
He picked her up and spun her in a circle. Setting her gently on her feet, he nuzzled her neck. “You do realize that promising reaction only makes me want to go into construction.Immediately.”
“I can think of projects you can tackle around the bakery. Or Gram’s house.” The house that would be hers most of thetime once her grandmother made good on her promise to travel more.
His grin was wicked. “I would be honored to do any and all manual labor for you.”
She wanted to dance with the potential of it. He’d given her a lot to think about. A lot to process. Even if he hadn’t professed his love.
It didn’t seem right to point that out. There had to be some rule about getting needy after a rescue. Besides, if he did stay, maybe love would come along in time. She could be happy with heat and desire and this unique bond that was so much more than friends with benefits.
“You would really stay?”
“Sweetheart, I only ever want to be where you are,” he said.
“Brookwell is rarely busy or glamorous.” She paced back over to the window. “We have special events, but that’s about it. Celebs show up.” Usually with bodyguards like him. “And then they…go.”
Like he should do. That was the crux. She loved him enough to insist he think of himself first. Put his needs ahead of hers. She was the worst for hoping that he’d stick around in her small world. She gave a start when his hands brushed her shoulders.
