Had she reminded herself to breathe? Her chest was growing tight now. She forced herself to focus, slowly breathing in and out.
Jace shut off the car, turned to face her, then slipped a hand along the side of her neck. His blue eyes, filled with a blend of confidence and concern, narrowed as he leaned in. “It’s going to be okay,” he said under his breath.
Amy’s eyes drifted closed in time for him to kiss her, strong and certain. He pulled back briefly, only to move back in and press kisses to both of her cheeks. He moved his parted lips back to hers, his breath as soft as a whisper.
Cherished.She’d never felt so cherished in all her life.
He rested his forehead against hers and sighed. “I’m…” He paused there and gulped.
Amy’s heart slowed in anticipation for what he might say. Every ounce of everything buthim evaporated.
Jace lifted his chin. “I’m in love with you, Amy.” He held her gaze, as if making sure she believed him.
She tested the words as they replayed in her mind, pleased to find that she did.Jace Burns loves me.
Tingly warmth sprouted in her chest. A growing, swelling ripple of peace. There’d been so much erosion over the weeks. A hollowing out of sorts, where Amy had been left with only remnants of who she was. Jace’s declaration put the motion in reverse. Filling every gap and crevice. Sealing off cracks and fractures.
He came in again for another slow, gentle kiss, further convincing her that what he said was true. And just for a moment, Amy gave in to the sensations he roused in her. Allowed herself to fly on the wings of that love just enough to forget what they faced.
A sudden desperation gripped hold of her as she realized she hadn’t returned the sentiment. She broke from his kiss, uttered the hushed words against his lips. “I love you too, Jace.”
He pulled back, his blue eyes alive with barely-controlled emotion. Desire shot through her, fierce and fast as he held her gaze. And then his lips were on hers once more. Coaxing Amy into an even deeper connection. It was different from the way he’d kissed her before. His touch, filled with a fevered need to match the love they’d just declared. A moment that might last them a lifetime, should they not make it out alive.
Amy sighed, sinking in to the passionate ebb and flow. Praying the kiss wouldn’t be their last.
With one final whimper, she brought things to a slow, aching end and leaned back to search his face. Hope swelled, warm and welcome in her chest. Jace loved her. And it felt good to declare her love for him in return.
He gave her a soft smile, that dimple sinking into his cheek. But all too soon that familiar furrow gripped hold of his brow. The one that had nearly owned him over the last three days.
“Let’s get this over with.”
Jace helped her out of the SUV then, holding her hand as she stepped down from the running board. At a near corner of the garage, a tinted glass door awaited them. A diamond, matching the design on the gift certificate, was etched into the glass. The wordsRough Diamondwere scrawled across the design in gold lettering. Yet, as Amy approached the door, clinging onto Jace’s hand with clenched fingers, she imagined it said something very different:Welcome to the lion’s den. Where Denver’s hero might become a fallen hero at last.
