“Do you want me to explain myself or not?”
Olivia huffed, “You’ve got about two seconds.”
She saw the hesitation in his eyes just before he squared his shoulders.
“The truth is, I didn’t tell you about this place before, because I knew if I did, then you’d want to see it.”
“And that would have been a problemwhy, exactly?” she asked, clearly confused.
He lifted his hand and tucked a wayward curl behind her ear. “Because, sweetheart. I knew if I saw you standing here, in the one place where I truly feel at home, I’d screw everything up by telling you how I really felt about you.”
And just like that, every ounce of anger was gone. Smiling, Olivia grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him down to her.
“I love you, too.” As Jake’s lips found hers, she began to wonder if someone’s heart could actually burst from being too full.
****
Three days later...
“Are you sure you’re okay with this?” Olivia asked him for the third time since that morning.
Jake smiled and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I’m sure. It’ll do you some good to get out of the house and have some girl time. Plus, I’ve got some stuff with the business I’ve been putting off for far too long. Phone calls, paperwork, you know...theexcitingside of R.I.S.C.” He made a gun gesture with his fingers and pretended to shoot himself in the head.
Olivia grinned. “Okay. If you’re sure. I was surprised when Mac asked me to go shopping with her, since we’d only just met, but I’m actually kind of excited. I don’t remember the last time I had a girls’ day.”
Jake hadn’t planned on them staying at his place when he brought her here a few days ago, so they hadn’t brought anything with them. After seeing it, Olivia hadn’t wanted to leave.
With her blessing, Jake had called Mac—R.I.S.C.’s other sniper—the next morning and gave her Liv’s security code and a list of things to pack. Later that day, Mac brought Liv’s things to the cabin, and she and Liv hit it off instantly.
“Truth be told, I think Mac is more excited about your little outing than you are,” Jake said, smiling. “I’m pretty sure she likes to shop as much as she likes to shoot.”
That made Olivia laugh. “Yeah, I gotta say, when you first told me ‘Mac’ actually stood for ‘McKenna’, I was surprised. I was even more shocked when this petite, cheerleader-looking blond walked in carrying my stuff.”
Jake chuckled. “She tends to have that effect on people.”
Jake’s doorbell rang, and he went to answer the door. “Speak of the devil.”
“Hey, boss. Your lady ready to roll?” Mac greeted Jake with a smile, her blue eyes hidden behind her designer sunglasses.
“Yes, I am!” Olivia spoke up from behind him, not giving him a chance to answer.
Jake moved to the side to give Olivia room to get by. She stopped in front of him and raised up on her toes for a kiss. Even in heels, she still had to lift up to reach his mouth.
Mac mumbled something about waiting in the car, but Jake didn’t pay much attention. He was too busy kissing his woman goodbye.
Goodbye.A sharp pang struck his chest as Jake thought of the conversation he had planned for them tonight.
It was another reason why he’d been more than happy to let her spend the day away from the cabin.
He needed time to plan. Strategize. Jake had to figure out a way to tell her about her brother that wouldn’t end with her telling him she never wanted to see him again.
Jake deepened the kiss. If this ended up being their last, he was determined to take in every last drop of her love while she was still willing to give it.
“Wow. That was some kiss goodbye, soldier.”
Jake forced a smile. “Have fun today.”
She tilted her head, those little wrinkles forming between her brows. “You okay?”
