I turn around, a brow arched in confusion. “Chief?”
“You’re perfect, keep torturing these big babies.”
We exchange a grin before her face sets back into cold annoyance and she turns away towards her office, followed closely by Matthew and Raph who’s openly scowling at us.
My gaze follows him until they take a turn and my body relaxes against Prue’s, my hands automatically going to her waist, and my eyes focusing back on her.
I always lose a few heartbeats when I look at her for the first time after a long day. It’s like my heart can’t get used to her beauty and the fact that she’s mine. Finally.
“Hey,” she smiles.
I’m melting under her soft hand, smiling at her too. “Hey.”
She rises on her tiptoes, giving me a quick kiss on the lips. It’s barelymore than a brushing but my skin burns and tingles anyway.
It’s the first time we’re open about our relationship here. The first time I’ve touched her in the middle of the precinct since I picked her up for our first date about a month ago. I think she’s worried about what Raph told her back then. Maybe in some part of her brain, she still believes that I’m not serious, and that people here will indeed laugh and pity her in her back.
I’d bend the knee for her right here and now if I was sure she’d say yes. She doesn’t even realize how far gone I am.
“Come on, sweetness. Let’s get out of here. I’ve got plans.” I grin at her confused look.
“Plans?” She asks, turning to grab her purse and little duffle bag with her change of clothes in it. “What plans?”
“You’ll see,” I grab her bag and slide it over my shoulder, then take her hand to lead her towards the underground garage where I’ve parked my car.
I open her door and she rolls her eyes but climbs in. I leave her duffle bag in the trunk and slide on the passenger seat.
“We’re escaping for the weekend,” I say as I put the keys in the ignition.
She frowns.Okay… Here comes the reluctance I knew was coming.“What do you mean?”
“I’ve booked us two nights in Avalon. It’s on Catalina Island, just an hour away by ferry.” She sighs, and I let myself fall against the back of my seat, turned slightly towards her. “I know you said you were not ready to go too far from Jack. But we’re still close, and—”
“What if something happens?”
“Jack and Ikram promised to call if there is anything wrong.”
Her eyes widen slightly. “They know you’re kidnapping me?” She gasps.
I can’t stop the rolling of my eyes. “They know. And you’re not a child, I’m notkidnapping you.”
“Same thing!”
“Jack even helped me pack your suitcases.”
She rears back. “He did?” A blush creeps up her cheeks and I grin.
“Well, noteverything. Yes, I found those lacy little red things hidden in a shopping bag in your closet… You’re definitely wearing that tonight.”
“Nate, I don’t think it’s—”
“Sweetness, please,” I plead, grabbing her hand in mine. “It’s just twodays. Jack was ecstatic about having a whole weekend exclusively with Ikram, and even more to know that I wanted to take you on our first romantic getaway.”
I see her throat work, her eyes shining with uncertainty. How I wish it was easier… How I wish Jack wasn’t sick so she could have a normal life and not be plagued by constant worries. How I wish he wasn’t sick sohecould have a normal life too.
“We’re not going far,” I continue. “It’s been a month since we’ve been back from Aspen. And you’ve spent nearly every night with me since then—”
“It’s not the same,” she groans, frustrated. “We were next door! If something happened I could be there in seconds!”
