“Would you have come to me had I not been in trouble?”
I frown. “Is this what’s been on your mind? Some crazy idea that I wouldn’t have wanted to see you again if you hadn’t needed me to save you from a stalker?”
She doesn’t respond, merely looks away.
“Babe, I already answered that. I’d been thinking about you all along, I just never thought I could do anything about it and you were better off married to some lawyer in D.C.”
“Yeah, we see how that worked out for me.”
“I’m here now, Shannon. I quit my job. Partly for you and partly because I was offered a promotion I didn’t want, but?—”
“A promotion?” Her head snaps up. “Why didn’t you want it?”
“Sitting behind a desk in D.C. isn’t for me. I don’t need to be in the thick of the danger anymore, but I also don’t want to work within the constraints of the system of our government any longer. I did my time. Let the younger generation take over now. I’m ready for the private sector. Or maybe no sector. Everything from now on depends on you.”
“On me?”
I’ve just pulled into the driveway of the townhouse. I park in the garage and then lean over to kiss her. “Yes. You.”
“I’m feeling really stupid right now.”
“It’s been a couple of weeks of insanity. You get a pass. Come on.” I get her bag out of the back and lead her into the house.
We settle on the couch and she moves into my arms without saying a word, burying her head in the crook of my neck and pretty much melting into me. I stroke her hair and let her relax. After a few minutes, I figure it’s time to finish our talk.
“Why did you want to surprise me?”
She looks up and meets my eyes. “Ten years, seven months, and nineteen days. It had been way too long to do anything over the phone.”
“I will second that sentiment.”
“I came because no matter what we decided, I needed to see you. Because I’m falling in love with you too, and I needed to either let you go be who you are or make things right between us.”
“You have no idea how much I love hearing that, but I already told you—I’m not going anywhere. I don’t know where you got the idea that I would.”
“I had to give you the option to go or you might never really be mine,” she whispers on a jagged breath.
I move in to kiss her, my mouth finding hers possessively. The fact that she was willing to let me go if I wanted to leave again, without any guilt, means something. Hell, it means everything. I want this woman more than anything, in every way imaginable. Now more than ever.
“Ace!” She lets out a little squeal as I practically rip off her T-shirt and bra, pressing my face between her breasts.
“Have to feel you,” I breathe. “Taste you. Naked.” I tug at her jeans and she lifts her hips so I can get them off. Her panties come next and when she’s nude, I drop over the side of the couch, positioning myself between her legs.
“Ace.” Her eyes are wide but filled with desire as I look up at her. “Your shirt,” she whispers. “Take it off. Please.”
I yank it over my head, taking a few buttons with it since it isn’t a pullover, and sigh as she splays her hands across my chest. The sizzle between us is electric and while I’m dying to bury my face between her gorgeous thighs, she isn’t having it. She tugs me across her chest and finds my mouth again, her lips like silken dessert, so soft and sweet against mine.
We kiss heatedly, our bodies tight together, hands exploring almost frantically, somehow reflecting our need to re-establish the bond between us. I feel her wetness against my hand and fumble to unzip my jeans. I don’t even get them down before she’s reaching for me, stroking me, guiding me inside her. She feels so damn good I’m having a hard time staying in control, so close to getting off I have to grasp her hips to keep her still.
“You and me, baby, this thing between us is intense and I need to hear you say you want me.”
“I want you.” Her voice is a little breathy.
“Say it again.” I start to move once more, slowly at first, needing to draw this out.
“I…w-want…y-you.”
There.
