Chapter 26
Jace stirred the pot of clam chowder with a wooden spoon beneath the warm kitchen light at Amy’s house. On the opposite side of the wall, Amy soaked in a nice, warm bath. He’d suggested she relax for a bit, take some extra time to mentally digest all that had taken place today. Jace had been doing that very thing since the takedown. It was a practice of his; reflect on each case and take note of what worked and what hadn’t.
Today had finally come and gone. The long-awaited sting operation—one that included the kingpin himself—had been a success and was behind him at last. A good hundred times or so, he’d offered a prayer to the heavens. Not just any prayer, but a heartfelt one like the ones Creed offered on behalf of the team. If Jace were being honest, he was a changed man now that Amy was in his life. He thought he’d loved Mindy, and in his own, limited-at-the-time way, he had. But this was different. This was life-altering.
But what now? Of course, it wasn’t appropriate for him to just stay at her home, yet the thought of leaving felt equally wrong.
He loved being here with her. Loved the sight of her all around him. From the to-do-lists she had scattered all over the house in her large, squiggly print, to the jackets, slippers, and hair bands she tucked into the cubby by the patio door.
The smell of the home had become a comfort of its own. After Amy showered, the place smelled like the cupcake body soap she used. He liked the way the scent preceded her down the hallway, competing—for at least a moment—with the aroma of fresh-brewed coffee.
The sound of the bathwater draining told him she’d be out of the tub soon. That was another thing he’d miss. Hearing her move from one activity or task to the next. Humming as she sorted laundry in her bedroom when she thought he’d gone to sleep.
Jace tapped the spoon and creaked open the cupboard to retrieve a box of crackers. He pulled matching bowls from the cupboard, fished through the dishwasher for her favorite spoon, and hand-washed it since the dishes hadn’t been cleaned yet.
“Smells good in here,” Amy said as she strolled into the kitchen. “Is that clam chowder?”
He glanced over his shoulder. “Canned, but yeah.”
She let out atsk.“Couldn’t whip up a fresh batch of soup, huh? What were you doing all day?”
Jace shook his head and turned to lean against the counter. He kicked his feet out, spread them apart so she might come in close, and straightened his arms to her. “Come here, cupcake.”
She giggled. “Cupcake?”
He nodded and flapped his hands like a child for her to come.
Another brilliant smile pulled at the corners of her lips as she stepped closer. She wore a pair of light, cotton pajamas. The color, a pale pink, accented the warmth in her cheeks. Had she done that on purpose—worn the very color he’d once deemed illegal? Amy leaned in against him, sandwiching one of her legs between his, and sighed as she rested her head against his chest.
Yes.He wanted her close, like this, forever.
He ran his hands up her back, pinching and pressing into the muscle around her spine and shoulder blades. “You never got your massage today,” he mumbled.
“You’re right.” She let out a soft moan. “Wow, this feels good.”
He chuckled under his breath while he moved up to the back of her neck, kneading the tightness he felt there. He enjoyed the way she whimpered in appreciation, lazily rolling her neck from one side to the next to give him better access. He moved up into her hairline at the nape of her neck, and Amy let out a small squeal.
“I’m ticklish,” she admitted, but she didn’t pull away. She simply stayed in his arms as he soaked in her warmth. “Thanks for the backrub,” she finally said. “I’ll return the favor after we eat.” She pulled away just enough to take in his face. Low light spilled over her flushed cheeks as the clock ticked. Jace scrutinized the look in her brown eyes, watching for any sign that she was taking a step back. Or maybe two. Sure, she was cuddling up to him now, in the aftermath of the incident, but he couldn’t help worry that all too soon she’d change her mind about being with someone like him.
* * *
Amy didn’t wantto disrupt the moment. Not with Jace and his muscular comfort cradling her from every angle. But she needed an answer. She’d waited long enough for it. She rested her face against his chest once more and sighed.
Jace had removed the bugging devices from the outside of her windows, not that there was anyone around to listen in on them anymore. And now it was just the two of them at last. The mission was behind them, and now was the time for the truth to unfold.
“Jace,” she said, the single word getting muffled in the nook between her face and his chest. “I need to know what you’re going to do. Now that the case is over,” she added. Her chest tightened like a pair of hands was squishing her lungs. She’d gotten the impression that Creed had only been trying to deter her with his comment about California. But she had to find out.
“Well,” Jace said, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “Obviously, I can’t just stay here.”
Amy’s shoulders fell. Forget her lungs getting squished, it felt like someone had ripped them right from her body. Left her gasping for breath. This was it. The horrific moment of confession.
“I did notice a little house down the street went up for sale though,” Jace said. “Cute little place. Pale blue. One car garage like the rest of the homes around here…” He continued talking about the place, adding that he hoped the little old guy who lived there hadn’t died or anything, but Amy was already starting to zone out. To focus in on what he’d revealed just now.
“So you want to stay in Colorado?” she blurted, pulling back to look up at his face.
Jace furrowed his brow as he considered her question. “Unless…” he said, his voice soft. “Unless you’ve changed your mind about us. I know what you went through today was traumatizing. I’ve got a few really good counselors who can help you through all of that. But if you think that being with someone like me is too difficult—”
Amy shook her head. “No, that’s not what I think. I couldn’t help but wonder if what you were feeling for me was real…” Her heart thundered out of beat. Her hands turned hot and sweaty. She cleared her throat. “Or if you were just pretending for the sake of the mission.”
