“You don’t have to thank me.”
“Yes, I do. Because most people wouldn’t have done what you did. Wouldn’t have cared enough to put themselves at risk.”
“Most people aren’t—” He stopped.
“Aren’t what?”
“Aren’t falling in love with you.”
The words were quiet. Almost reluctant. Like he was admitting something he’d been trying not to feel.
Nora pulled back to look at him. “Is that what this is? Love?”
“I think so.” He looked almost uncomfortable with the admission. “I don’t have a lot ofexperience with it. But when I thought Dan was going to hurt you, when I saw that knife against your throat, all I could think was that I couldn’t lose you. That losing you would break something in me that couldn’t be fixed.”
“Carson—”
“Let me finish.” His hands moved to frame her face. “I know it’s fast. I know we’ve only known each other a couple weeks. I know this whole thing started because I was investigating your case. But somewhere along the way, you became more than a case. You became the reason I wake up in the morning. The person I want to protect and make smile and spend time with. And I don’t know what to call that except—”
“Love,” Nora finished. “It’s love.”
“Yeah.” He smiled, small and uncertain. “Is that okay?”
“It’s more than okay.” She went up on her toes, pressing her lips to his. “Because I love you too.”
The kiss was gentle—tender and careful, mindful of injuries and exhaustion. But it held a promise. A beginning.
When they broke apart, Carson rested his forehead against hers.
“I have to go to the station today,” he said quietly. “Give my statement about shooting Dan. Meet with the DA’s office. Process paperwork. But then I’m taking a few days off.”
“You don’t haveto—”
“Captain’s orders. And I want to. Want to spend time with you without criminals and danger and investigations hanging over us.” He pulled back to look at her. “I was thinking maybe we could go somewhere. Get out of Blackridge for a few days. Somewhere quiet where you can rest and we can just...be.”
The offer made her throat tight. “Where?”
“There’s a cabin about two hours north. On a lake. Private, secluded, peaceful. A friend of mine owns it, said I could use it whenever I wanted.” His thumb brushed her cheekbone. “We could go there. No phones, no work, no stress. Just us.”
“That sounds perfect.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah.” She smiled, feeling something warm bloom in her chest. Hope, maybe. Or happiness. Things she hadn’t felt in so long. “When do we leave?”
“This afternoon. Soon as I finish at the station.” He kissed her forehead. “Pack light. And, Nora? Bring something warm. It’s supposed to be cold up there.”
***
Carson spent four hours at the station, answering questions, filling out reports, and enduring looks from other detectives that ranged from curious to knowing.
Everyone had heard about Nora staying at his apartment. About him shooting two suspects to protect her. About the way he’d carried her out of that hotel suite like she was something precious.
They knew. And most of them had opinions.
Finn cornered him by the coffee machine. “So. You and the Bell woman.”
“Her name is Nora.”
