Getting a glimpse behind the layers and layers that made up Rose Floris had felt like an honor. That she’d trusted me, that she’d bared her soul to me the same way I had done to her. We were open books with each other now, and there was something so freeing that came with that.
Rose loved me. She didn’t need to tell me, but when she did, I’d felt some sort of validation. That I was worthy of her love. And I swear, when those words escaped her lips, something deep down inside me healed. A strength renewed. I had Rose. She loved me. And with her at my side, I could do anything.
Wecould do anything.
Together.
Sometime after one in the morning, I forced myself outof her bed for a perimeter check. I slipped out quietly, checked the locks, the deck, even walked the property line. Spirit had wandered into the edge of the trees like she always did, but she was back, calm and steady—just like I needed her to be. After that, I called Jagg—because the bastard never sleeps—and asked for updates on Andrew’s case. Still no trace of the stuffed bear or video recorder. He’d spent the day chasing dead ends—credit card data for anyone who bought blue-handled scissors in the last year. Which, in a town like Berry Springs, may as well be every woman with a junk drawer. I’d told him only as much about Rose’s past as he needed to know—that she had trauma, yes. But she wasn’t a killer.
She was a survivor.
And now, she was mine.
38
PHOENIX
After the sun rose, we drank coffee together in the living room, facing the deck, thunder growling in the distance and streaks of lightning crawling across the sky. We didn’t talk much. We didn’t need to. There was a stillness between us, a quiet understanding I hadn’t known I was capable of sharing with another person. She sat tucked under my arm like she’d always belonged there.
We fit.
We both knew it.
And hell on earth wasn’t taking this away from me.
Rose glanced at the clock then reached over and grabbed my hand.
“I’ve got to get into the shower.”
My brows popped up.
“No.” She laughed. “I mean, I have toactuallytake a shower. Get ready for the day.”
I looked at the clock—6:47 a.m.
I didn’t want that morning to end. I didn’t want to face reality. I wanted to stay in our little bubble, day after day, and have sex until we both couldn’t walk.
She grinned, reading me like a book. “My first appointment isn’t until nine, but I do have something I have to do before then.”
I raised my hand. “It’s me. I’m the thing.”
She laughed. A beautiful, smooth laugh. Relaxed. “No, not you. If we have sex again, I’m going to need a pair of crutches to make it through the day.”
“I’ll carry you.”
“All day, huh? Carry me around from room to room, to work, to the grocery store.”
“Call in sick to work and I’ll run your errands.”
“No. Theo’s supposed to make a decision on a business proposal I presented to him about the equine therapy clinic. I’d like to hear that answer… at least before he fires me when he finds out that I hooked up with one of my clients.”
“Hooked up?”
“Okay, fine, mind-blowing, best-in-my-life, soul-shatteringlove making.”
“Can I get that tattooed across your back?”
She smirked, then looked out the window, a sudden worry crossing her face.
