Everything hinges on this moment.
We don’t go to the kitchen.
She touches her throat, running delicate fingers over her pulse as she shifts between her feet.
Then she moves toward me, stepping into my arms as I open them for her.
"I’m so glad you said that," she says with a trembling voice.
Fuck. Me. Sideways.
"So am I."
CHAPTER 8
I make it for a half hour.
That’s when I lose it and I hit the fridge like I’m raiding an enemy compound to make two combat sandwiches. Gather up some assorted snacks. And add a few more of those cookies.
The whole room is watching me as I snag some bottled water and carry the food off toward our room.
Our room.
Jade’s still sitting on the kitchen stool staring at the doorway with a cute expression when I return.
“Don’t disturb us until tomorrow,” I tell everyone else as I scoop Jade off the stool and toss her over my shoulder.
She squeals. But it’s a light sound that makes my pulse trip.
“G’night,” she calls to them as we round the corner.
I kick the door shut and lower Jade to the bed—the one away from the window.
“This is much better,” I force out through straining vocal cords that seem to be tied somehow to my raging lust.
“It is. I’ve had enough socializing for a while. I guess I’m just a loner. Unless it comes to being with you. I like that.”
She’s smiling, and I can’t look away.Holy fuck.
It hurts so goddamned good.
Before I think, I sit on the bed next to her, my thigh pressed against hers, overwhelmed by the crowding sensation behind my ribcage.
“Your smile stopped me dead in my tracks.”
“Mine?” She asks, laughing.
“Yeah. You need to tell me if stealing you away over my shoulder can make you this happy every time. I’ll be doing it every day.”
Jade’s whole body softens as she carefully reaches out and strokes her fingers through my hair.
My eyes want to close, my body wants to lean closer.
Whispering, she says, “I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but right now I feel safe and really happy.”
She deserves to feel safe all the time. That uncertainty makes my brow tense as I catch her hand and kiss the soft curve of her palm.
“We’re going to get to the bottom of what you found on your father’s computer. I’ve got Agile’s intel team looking into some of those names.”
