Charley laughed, and it lit up the Jeep more than his dashboard’s lights.
“And for the record, I like you too,” he said and winked.
The rest of the drive was easy after that. The tension had melted, replaced with casual conversation.
Pierce slowed the Jeep as they turned into her quiet complex, headlights sweeping over the familiar row of buildings. The comfortable conversation and easy laughter they’d fallen into since their talk earlier had done a lot to ease the lingering tension he’d felt all night. But there was one last thing he needed to tell her before the evening ended.
He flicked a glance her way, noting how relaxed she looked. She was smiling, her arms resting loosely in her lap, and her body slightly angled toward him.
“Hey,” he said, voice low. “Before we get out, I wanted to let you know I talked to Ray about what you told me. The stranger and the envelopes.”
“You told him?” she asked, more curious than upset, but still guarded.
“I did,” he nodded, resting his wrist on the wheel. “Ray was involved in that operation you mentioned. He might be able to help us piece things together or figure out if someone’s trying to send a message. He’s got a lot of connections that run deep. He said he would ask around.”
Charley studied him for a moment, then sighed, her shoulders relaxing. “Thank you,” she said softly, her gazeflickering to the dashboard before returning to him. “I appreciate that. I know I’ve been trying to handle it on my own, but it’s getting harder to ignore. It means a lot that you care enough to bring someone in.”
He didn’t say anything right away, just reached over and gently squeezed her hand. “You’re not alone in this anymore, Charley.”
A small smile tugged at her lips, and it took every ounce of his restraint not to lean in and kiss her right then.
But he’d wait. For her, he would wait as long as he had to.
???
“Thank you,” Charley said. “I appreciate that, Pierce.”
As she reached for the door handle again, Charley’s chest filled with something she hadn’t felt in a long time, the steady comfort of knowing she wasn’t carrying everything alone anymore. She wasn’t used to anyone stepping up for her, especially without being asked. And though she had been carrying the unease of those cryptic notes and the stranger’s warning around like a weighted backpack, somehow tonight she had almost forgotten about it. Between the laughter at dinner, having Pierce beside her, that ever-present tension had eased.
She got out of the Jeep. Pierce walked with her up to her apartment. He walked close enough that their arms would brush against each other.
The closer they got to her apartment, the more questions she had swirling through her head. Was he going to kiss her? Should she invite him in? Did she even want to say goodnight yet?
When they reached her door, she paused, searching his face. “Do you want to come in for a bit?” she asked, casually, though the nerves bubbling in her chest made it sound a little too hopeful.
Pierce chuckled, and the way his eyes warmed made her stomach flutter. “As tempting as that sounds,” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “If I come in, I’m not sure I’ll be able to keep taking things slow.”
Her breath hitched as his words sank in, and the implication made her cheeks flush. She laughed nervously, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. “Okay, fair point.”
He stepped in closer, his hand gently finding her hip while the other lifted to her cheek, his touch both grounding and electric. Her breath caught again, but not from nerves this time. It was in the way his gaze held hers, as if she were something worth protecting, something worth cherishing.
“I’d settle for a kiss, though,” he murmured. “If you’ll let me.”
Speechless, she nodded. Literally just nodded like a damn bobblehead. Because what on earth was she supposed to say to that when her brain had gone completely offline?
He leaned in slowly, giving her time to stop him. But she didn’t want to. His lips brushed hers, soft and sweet and unhurried. No tongues, no urgency. It was just a kiss full of promise.
Her eyes fluttered closed, and she leaned into him, her hands resting lightly against his chest before sliding up and wrapping around his shoulders. His arms came around her fully then, pulling her into a hug so strong, so comforting, she felt like she could melt into it. For a second, she did.
When they slowly pulled apart, Pierce kept his hands on her waist, his thumbs rubbing slow circles near the hem of her shirt. He looked down into her eyes.
“Do you have any plans tomorrow?” he asked her, his voice low and sexy.
Charley’s stomach fluttered as she licked her lips nervously. Hell, she was still coming down off their kiss.
“Not really. I was going to put a few hours in at the Foundation since the grand opening is next week. But that was about it.”
He smiled. “Would you like to have dinner with me tomorrow? Like a real date.”
