"It's incredible."
"Even when it's cloudy, or stormy, Calusa Cove always has the best sky."
"I won't argue that." He turned off the main stretch onto the gravel that led back to her place, the headlights swinging across saw palmetto and the pale trunks of cabbage palms. He'd never been a city boy. Hated the noise. Hated the traffic. But he hadn't been a country boy, either. He went where the government sent him. Lived where it made sense. And he didn't complain about it. Nor did he give it much thought. He’d never owned a home before. Just a place to hang his hat and rest his head.
Working for the Aegis Network had taught him the value of balance, and Calusa Cove reminded him what family meant.
"Do you think Cullen's going to be okay? I worry about him, and I didn't like what Royce said tonight about you letting him go. What did he mean by other options?"
"Lots of questions. Should I start anywhere in particular?" Sterling glanced in her direction. For as long as he'd known her, she'd always asked questions. But they were more generic. More like how was your day? Anything interesting happen at the office? Any new wild cases come your way? Things that a lot of people in Calusa Cove asked him.
These were specific. He was officially dating her now, so not abnormal. He shouldn't be surprised by her new interest in his opinions. He was simply out of practice with dating, if he'd ever been in practice to begin with.
"Start with Cullen, and work your way forward." She lowered her chin. "It's a natural progression."
"Right." He chuckled. "He'll be fine. He has Harley and Silas to watch out for him. As far as what Royce said, well, our clients don't dictate who we hire or fire. And if Royce doesn't like it, he can go to our competition. We don't care. His threat means nothing to us, even if he thinks it does. Cullen matters more than a paycheck."
"Do you think he'd take his business to Doyle?"
"Are you trying to make me jealous?"
"Are you the jealous type?" She angled toward him in the seat and smiled.
"When it comes to you, I think I might be." That was about as honest an answer as he could muster. "Can I say something and have it not come out sideways?"
"That's a terrible way to start a sentence."
"I know."
The dashboard light caught the side of her face, showing off her rosy cheekbones, plump lips, and lush lashes. He forced himself to look back at the road. If he kept looking at her, he'd drive into the inlet. "I like you. I've liked you for as long as I've known you. It borders on stalking."
"If that were the case, I have a town full of stalkers."
He shook his head. "You know what I mean, and I'm trying to be serious here."
"You're always serious, but now you're being serious about us, and I'm… I have no idea. Continue."
"I just want to be real clear that tonight, whatever happens or doesn't happen, I'm not in this for one night. That's what I'm trying to say. And now that I've said it, I realize that it sounds awkward, but I wanted it out there."
"I wouldn't say it was the worst. I'd just say it was extremely… dorky."
"I've regressed to my fourteen-year-old self." Actually, he'd turned into an agent again, fishing for information. So far, he hadn't reeled in what he was looking for. But maybe, he'd find a hint of it. He wanted to believe she was dating him for one reason—she liked him. And if that was it, nothing else would matter.
At least, that's what he told himself.
"I've liked you too for about as long. I've wanted to say yes every time and kicked myself for saying no. I came here to start over, but when the opportunity to do so knocked, I got scared. I don't want to hide from what I feel anymore." She reached over and laced her fingers through his. "Would you like to come in?"
"I would." Sterling trusted his instincts, and he believed every word.
"Good."
He pulled into her drive, killed the engine, and for a second, they just sat there listening to the tick of the cooling motorand the racket of the cicadas—two grown adults pretending they didn't know exactly where this was going.
He lifted their entwined hands, kissed her skin, then reached for the glove box. "I'm sorry, but this has to come with me wherever I go." He removed his handgun and secured it to his ankle. "I'll put it in a closet or cabinet once we’re inside."
"It's fine," she said. "I understand."
He slipped from the driver's side and raced around the hood of the truck like he was on roller-skates. His heart hammered in his chest with a combination of excitement and trepidation.
