He wrapped his arms around her, staring up at the ceiling. “If this gets any better, it’s gonna kill us.”
“Not a bad way to go.”
“Nope.” He kissed her nose as she stared up at him. “Just give me those seventy years, first, okay?”
“I think I can manage that.” She groaned when her stomach growled.
He laughed. “And that’s my cue to stop ravishing you and take care of your other needs.” He took her with him as he sat up. “Quick rinse, then we’ll face the team. Get some food.”
Neve followed him into the bathroom. They showered and dressed then made their way to the door. She stopped him as he turned the handle, cracking the door an inch. “You know they’re going to tease us, right?”
Coulter grinned. “Good, then no one’s gonna say shit when I do this.” He kissed her like he had in the shower — as if they’d been apart for years. Though, considering how long he’d kept her waiting, it definitely felt that way. He brushed his thumb across her lips. “It’s gonna take me a while before I can adequately control myself.”
“I thought you weren’t a big PDA kinda guy.”
“That was the old me. The one who didn’t realize what I had until I lost it. The new me doesn’t give a fuck what others think, so…”
She smiled up at him. “Have I mentioned I love the way the new you thinks?”
“Hoping it’s more than just my brains you love, sweetheart, because I’m so far through the looking glass, there’s no pill to bring me back.”
She froze, eyes wide, mouth slightly open, and he knew she was working out if he’d just told her he loved her without saying those three words. And he had. In fact, he needed to say it for real. All the words in the right order.
He leaned in. “Speechless? That’s a first.”
She swallowed, coughed. “Coulter, I?—”
He cut her off with another kiss. “Surely, this isn’t a surprise. Though, I should have told you from the start. But I was too damn scared by the way you made me feel, it took a while to get my head out of my ass. So, for the record, I love you, Neve. Have since our second unofficial date. Back when we couldn’t even call them dates, and I will until the day I die.”
Silence.
No whisper of air, no reply just her gorgeous blue eyes staring up at him as if he’d spoken in another language. He frowned, wondering if he’d gotten it wrong, when she tiptoed up, kissed him like her life depended on it before mimicking his action, brushing her finger across his mouth.
She closed her eyes for a moment, then inhaled, looking as if she’d breathed him in. “Do you know how long I’ve been holding back those words? Afraid I’d scare you off?”
“If you’re like me, too long. Newsflash — everything about you scares me. The way you run toward danger, always thinking about your team, getting them to safety, before ever worrying about yourself. How you never back down from a fight, even when you’re outmanned, and outgunned, facing men who’ve got drugs pumping through their veins. But what’s really crazy, is that I’m more afraid of living without you, than admitting how much control you have over me. That I won’t survive losing you, again.”
Her eyes softened, a warm glow emanating from her skin. “I’m not going anywhere. And I love you so much it’s embarrassing. But… I’m having a hard time caring about that. About anything other than how the rest of our lives are gonna play out, so… Don’t worry, baby. I’ll catch you if you fall, and I’ll always have your back.”
Another kiss, only it felt different. Charged with the shared energy moving between them. The intense emotions weighing down the room. He took her hand, led her out the door and down the hall. Dishes clattered in the main area, the scent of something baking making his mouth water.
They rounded the corner just as Shepherd walked over to the island, shoved two mugs and a plate of scones their way.
He placed the sugar bowl next to the cups. “I figured you two needed a caffeine and sugar boost after all your… activity.”
Neve took a sip, then munched on a bite of the scone, moaning in a way that made Coulter’s jaw clench. “First, these are delicious. And second, go on, get it out of your system.”
Shepherd grinned. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re referring to.” He motioned to the comms room. “Zadie just called Scout in to look at something. I think she’s got a lead, which, considering the girl rarely sleeps… Scout either, but that’s for an entirely different reason.” Shepherd leaned in closer. “Turns out, that guy she had to give up in order to go dark, Quinton Taylor, was on that RCMP chopper that nearly spotted you at the drone site. She’s been a bit… preoccupied since.”
“We’ll go have a chat.” She picked up the coffee and what remained of her scone, then headed for the other room.
Coulter walked behind her, wondering if they’d all given up far more than just their careers. If Zadie had a similar story. Just another reason to end this — grab Ramsey and force the bastard to give up Finch. Put this whole ugly mess to rest.
Scout looked over her shoulder when they walked in, a wide smile shaping her mouth. “Well, look who finally came up for air.” She arched a brow at Neve. “Someone looks radiant.”
Neve shoved Scout. “Shut up.”
“And here I thought a few good tumbles would do you some good. Maybe you two need another round.”
