I tap my glass to hers. “To tonight.”
We sip. She curls her legs under herself, gazing at the twinkling tree like she’s memorizing it.
“This,” she whispers, “feels like something I never thought I’d get.”
I shift closer, letting our shoulders touch. “Feels like something I didn’t know how to ask for.”
Her breathing wavers, the sound vulnerable and real.
I slide my arm around her and pull her gently into my side.
“Stay with me tonight,” I murmur. “No pressure. Just you in my arms in one of those ridiculously plush beds.”
Her answer comes quick, making me so glad I asked. “I’d love that.”
CHAPTER 18
When the fire gets low and the room chills, I untangle myself from Liberty, regretting the separation.
“Stay put. I'll be right back.”
Liberty blinks up at me from her cocoon of blankets, looking soft and drowsy and so beautiful it physically hurts. “Where are you going?”
“Security check before bed. Won't take long.” I press a kiss to her forehead, forcing myself to step away before I get distracted and climb back in next to her.
“You mean you're going full operator mode on a cave in the middle of nowhere on Christmas Eve?”
“Old habits.” I'm already moving toward the control panel near the entrance. “Humor me.”
Her laugh follows me down the hallway, warm and easy. “You're ridiculous.”
Maybe. But I need to know every door is sealed, every sensor active, every backup system online before I can fully relax.
It's not about actual threats—it's about being able to give her my complete attention without my brain running security scenarios in the background.
The master control panel glows green across the screen. Perimeter sensors active. Main entrance sealed. Emergency exits are armed but accessible from inside. Generator at full capacity with enough backup fuel for weeks.
Perfectly ready for anything.
I make my way back to the great room, dimming lights as I go. The cave transforms in the low light, even more of an intimate sanctuary.
Like it was made just for this purpose.
Liberty's exactly where I left her, but she's sitting up now, watching the tree with an expression that makes my chest tight.
“All secure?” She asks without looking at me.
“Locked down tight. Nothing's getting in here that we don't want.” I crouch beside her, adjusting the fire screen to make sure no sparks can escape. “You good? Need anything before bed? Water? Snack?”
She turns to me then, those whiskey-brown eyes searching my face. “I'm good. Really good, actually.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” But there's something uncertain in her voice, a thread of nervousness she's trying to hide.
I settle beside her, pulling her back against my chest. “Talk to me. What's going on in that beautiful head of yours?”
She's quiet for a moment, her fingers playing with the edge of the blanket. “I've never... I mean, I've obviously never spent the night with someone. I tried to date a few times after high school, after the abuse, but nothing felt right.”
