Immediately, I wince because my question sounded far more accusatory than I intended. Rhodes doesn’t seem bothered by my outburst as he gives me a look filled with understanding.
“Never,” his voice is firm and sure. “I’m not giving up, but I can’t use all my resources on a case that has gone cold when we don’t have any more leads. If I keep chasing something that isn’t there to find, I could be putting people in danger because deputies are chasing ghosts instead of being there for someone who needs it.”
As much as I hate the end result of it all, I can’t argue with his reasoning.
“Yeah,” I whisper, “I get what you’re saying.”
His large hand cups my cheek and his thumb sweeps across my skin in such a way that is comforting and ignites my need for my man. Having a serious conversation is almost impossible because he’s so fucking distracting.
“I’m not giving up,” there is steel and resolve in his voice. “I’m going to keep my deputies looking whenever they can, to keep their eyes open. The last thing I want is for someone to take advantage of the size of my county and all the little places where they could hide something like this. I want to keep everyone safe and take these assholes down if I can.”
“I know you will,” I whisper and swallow hard.
I have no reason to not believe him. And the everything this man has shown me is that his words hold weight and he will do everything he can to follow through with his promises.
“Thank you,” his voice is rough and something in his tone has me snapping my gaze up to look at him.
My eyebrows pull together as I ask, “What are you thanking me for?”
“For believing me,” his words are measured before he emphasizes his words, “Believing in me.”
I smile at my man and scramble out of my seat to straddle his lap. Even though I do it to be closer to him, I can’t help the way my body reacts.
“Rhodes,” his name is plea on my lips, or maybe more like a prayer.
My fingers brush against his beard and my thighs clench from the memory of how it feels as it rubs against the inside of my thighs when he buries his face there.
“It’s easy to believe you and believe in you,” my words are soft.
I know they land when he closes his eyes and a look of peace crosses his face.
“I trust you,” I tell him, every word dripping with sincerity.
His eyes pop open and then drop to half-mast with lust as he looks at me. It makes me want to squirm in his lap, but I stop myself. Fucking barely.
When his mouth tips up into a sinful grin, my nipples pebble and practically beg for attention. My man’s eyes don’t leave mine though as his hands land on my hips and squeeze.
“You have no idea what that means to me,” his voice cracks slightly before he clears his throat. He takes another deep, steadying breath and then lets it out slowly. His fingers tighten on my body, and it grounds me. Maybe it does the same for him. “I think there’s one more thing we need to talk about.”
I can’t help my reaction and freeze in place as I’m straddling his hips. The way his eyes are soft and filled with affection as he looks at me. My heart starts to pound in my chest because whatever he’s about to say feels big. Huge.
“The last thing I ever want to do is rush you, but I want to make it clear where I’m at and what I want to happen in the future,” there’s a steadiness in his voice which has calm rolling through me.
“Happen with us?” I know my eyes are wide and round as I ask the question.
“Yeah, Sweetheart,” his voice takes on an indulgent tone, “happen with us.”
“Okay,” I whisper.
“I want you here,” he blurts out the words like they don’t realign my entire fucking world. “I want you to move in here with me. If you’re ready now, then I’ll go and help you pack up all of your things right now and make it happen.”
A giggle bubbles up in my chest, and I shake my head as I admonish him, “You’re ridiculous.”
“Hell, no,” he denies, “I’m not ridiculous. I just know what I want and I’m not going to slow down or pretend like my entire future isn’t tied up with you. I know it is and I’m ready for it all. I want it all,” he implores me.
My heart is trying to escape my chest with every beat. I try to slow it down by taking a deep, slow breath. “I want it all too,” I admit, “but don’t you think this is moving a little too fast?”
“No,” his voice is full of conviction, “it’s not moving nearly fast enough for me.”
