Grace nodded. She hesitated, then added, “Thank you. For… everything.”
Luke studied her face like he was making sure she meant it. Like he was checking for cracks she hadn’t noticed yet.
“Lock the door when I leave,” he said gently.
She smiled a little. “I will.”
He didn’t move right away.
Neither did she.
Luke stepped closer.
He was going to kiss her. Again. Except this was her porch. Open. Public, even if the street was empty.
Grace’s heart kicked hard.
He reached for her like it was the most natural thing in the world—one hand settling at her hip, the other lifting to her face.
Grace closed her eyes.
He kissed her.
Right there. On her front porch.
Slow and warm. Her hands rose on instinct, sliding up his chest, fisting in the fabric of his jacket. She leaned into him fully, the world narrowing to the press of his mouth, the heat of him.
He’d never kissed her outside before. Never touched her where anyone could see. Never held her like this without walls to hide behind.
God.
This meant things were different. Didn’t it?
It’s dark. That’s why he is risking this. No one’s watching.
The thought was unwelcome.
She pulled back, just enough to end the kiss.
Luke stayed close, forehead resting briefly against hers, breath warm in the cool night air.
“Goodnight, Gracie,” he said softly.
He pressed a kiss to her forehead and stepped back.
Grace watched him walk down the steps, watched him get into the police cruiser.
She stood there for a long moment. Her lips tingled. Her heart wouldn’t settle.
Grace turned away, went inside and locked the door.
Only then did she hear his cruiser start, the sound of it pulling away.
She touched her mouth again, slower this time, replaying the feel of Luke’s hands, the certainty of the kiss.
On her porch.
“Wow.”
