“Thank you.For coming to get me.For everything,” she told him.
Brick stood in the doorway, fingers curled around the frame like he needed to brace himself.“Serpents won’t lay a hand on you.Not while you’re under this roof,” he said.
Her eyes softened.Too soft.Warm enough to melt concrete.
“Does this happen often?”she asked quietly.
“No.”His voice came out rougher than intended.“They’re pushing their luck.”
“And because I’m working with Dillon...”
Brick’s jaw flexed.“Dillon was family.His dad was one of ours.That kid deserved better.”He paused.“You didn’t do anything wrong.”
She looked down, toe tracing the edge of the floor tile.“I know you’re only helping because of your job but it means a lot.”
Brick swallowed hard.Only helping because of his job?He wished that were true.
“You should get some rest,” he said, voice tight.“I’ll be right across the hall.”
Tessa bit her lip, and Brick’s stomach dropped.
“Brick, are you mad at me?”
The question gutted him clean.
“No,” he said instantly.“Of course not.Not even close.”
She looked down at her hands, twisting her fingers together.“But you’re...”She made a little gesture toward his whole body, frustrated and adorable.“You’re very ...stern.”
Brick blinked.Stern?
That was the nicest possible way to describe the slow, simmering fury he’d been choking back since he’d seen her car.He pulled his brows tight.
“I’m not mad at you,” he repeated.“I’m trying not to crowd you.Trying to give you space.”
She gazed up at him, eyes dark and soft and devastating.
“You don’t have to,” she murmured.“I feel safe with you.”
That did something to him, something sharp and warm that twisted deep in his chest and settled there like it belonged.
Brick swallowed hard.“Tessa...”
She waited, hopeful and patient.
She’s too trusting.
He forced the words out past the thick knot in his throat.“If anything happens, or if you need anything, anything at all, you know where to find me.”
Her smile bloomed, small and sincere.“All right,” she said.
Silence stretched between them, charged and fragile.A wire pulled too tight.Brick stepped back first, retreating because if he didn’t, he’d do something reckless.
“Goodnight, Brick,” Tessa whispered.
“Night,” he managed.
He didn’t turn away however and neither did she.She took a tiny step forward, hesitated, then rose onto her toes and pressed her lips to his.She tasted soft and warm.Sweet enough to tear open a man’s ribs.
