I bent my head and captured her lips in mine, savoring the taste of her, even though it mingled with the tears that streamed down her face. I held her, the relief of her in my arms again buoyed further by the fact that she’d admitted she’d been falling for me.
“I didn’t help things either,” she admitted when I finally lifted my head. “I shouldn’t have told you to get out of my face. I should’ve let you explain. I didn’t exactly learn from the best when it comes to relationships.”
“We can relearn everything together.”
She smiled, and my entire world lit up. “Yes, let’s do that.”
Our next kiss was interrupted by a pounding at the door.
“Shit,” I said softly for her ears only. “That must be the EA.”
Her eyes went wide. “Are you going to be in trouble?”
“No. Mateo called them in case I couldn’t reach you in time. They probably just have a few questions and to make sure you are okay.”
We were greeted at the door by an EA investigator who quickly and efficiently had us give our statements. He looked peeved that I’d left so little of Owen for him to question.
“But we have enough on him to prove he was trafficking a magical being so that it won’t cause too much tension between us and the NYPD. They’ll be eager to rinse their hands of him.”
“What about Michelle?” Meera asked. “She got away.”
“Don’t worry about her. There’s a big underground illegal trade of magical artifacts and folks, and sometimes letting someone go is just as important for the investigation. She just might lead us to more suspects. Now, miss, while we don’t think you are in any further danger, I recommend you get someone to stay here with you for a few days just in case.”
“I can do that,” I said.
Before long, I was alone with Meera again.
“You know, if you don’t mind, I think I might feel more comfortable somewhere else,” Meera said, looking outside her window, which overlooked the alleyway where she was assaulted.
“You can come back to Darlington with me.”
“But my work…”
“How much do you enjoy being a real estate agent here?”
She laughed. “I hate it.”
“Great. You can relocate permanently.”
“I’ll think about it.”
“You can do that at my place.”
“Fine. But this time, I’m actually packing my clothes.”
“You can pack them all if you like, but you won’t be wearing them much. Clothes are overrated anyway. They’ll just end up all over my floor.”
She rolled her eyes and started toward the closet. “You’re a menace.”
“And you’re Trouble.”
“You love it.”
I pulled her back into my arms. “I do. I do love it. Because I love you. And one day you will say it back to me and mean it.”
Meera’s fingers tightened in my shirt. “Graham, there’s no ‘one day,’ because I already do. I love you too.”
I cupped her face, my thumbs brushing her cheeks. “Say it again,” I demanded, my voice low.
