“Welp, I guess that’s my cue.” Liam wiped his mouth with a cheap paper napkin and grinned. “Thanks for the pizza. Saves me from having to stop for take-out on my way back to the hotel.”
The smile that lifted her lips was automatic. Being around the men of Delta always felt so different. Until now, she didn’t realize it was because, with them, she felt like she belonged.
“Thanks for keeping our boy safe while I was at work,” Natalia teased.
An expression of heavy exacerbation fell over Liam’s handsome face. “It wasn’t easy, but somehow, I managed.”
“Oh, brother,” Jagger groaned.
She and Liam broke out into simultaneous chuckles.
“Okay, seriously though.” Liam grabbed the keys to his rental from the top of the wooden coffee table. “Now that you’re both inside for the night, I’m going to try to get some Zs.”
“Already?” Natalia frowned. “It’s barely eight-thirty.”
“Yeah, but Hunt, King, and I are meeting with the arson investigator looking into the explosion at your place first thing tomorrow.”
She arched a pair of hopeful brows. “Let me know what he says?”
“Of course.” Liam put a friendly hand on her shoulder. “I’ll call as soon as we’re done.”
In an uncharacteristic show of affection, Natalia brought a hand up to his. “Thanks, Liam. I really appreciate the help.”
“No thanks needed, Tal.” The computer genius winked. “You’re one of us, remember? That means we’ve always got your back.”
After another wink and a half-assed wave to his friend, she and Jagger were alone for the first time since she’d left the apartment that morning.
“I know you aren’t happy about having Vaughn as your escort today.” He inched closer. “But I appreciate you not fighting me or Ryker on it.”
“And Emmett and Blake?” She sent him a pointed look, referring to the two members of Echo Team before lettingherself smile. “You do remember I was CIA, right?” Natalia began moving toward him. “Did you honestly think I wouldn’t notice a tail?”
“More like I was hoping you wouldn’t.”
Her shoulders shook with a breathy chuckle. “I’m not going to lie, I’m feeling a little underestimated at the moment.”
But Jagger merely gave an unapologetic shrug and said, “I had to at least try.”
“Why?” They met in the middle of the apartment’s small living room.
“I had to know you’d be safe.”
“Why?” Natalia asked again.
“I think you know why.” Jagger’s dark brown gaze burned deeply into hers.
Her pulse spiked and her heart felt as though it would leap right out of her chest.
“Maybe I need to hear the words, too.”
Was this actually happening? With this man? WithJagger?
He reached for her, then, keeping his movements slow. Gentle. The breath in her lungs ceased to exist when the palm of his hand cupped one side of her face.
“I need to know you’re safe because I’ve fallen for you, Natalia.” He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. “Head over heels, ass over boots…however you want to put it, I’m there.”
“Oh.” A breathy exhale because she couldn’t bring herself to say more.
“I love you, Tal,” Jagger said those three not-so-little words. “And just so there isn’t any confusion, as far as the two of us goes, I’m all the way in.”
