He nodded, and then the moment went slow as her dark eyes filled with warmth. This was his moment. Finally. He bent his head to hers, heart racing. Anticipation swirled through his veins.
A soft rap came on the door, pulling him away from Alice’s lips. Again.
“Yeah?” he called.
“Pardon me.” Price opened the door a crack. “Is all well?”
“Yeah. We’re good.” Robbie couldn’t even get the words out to tell Price he appreciated him as he usually would.
Alice pulled back and slid away from him. She focused on the door.
“All right. Take care.” The door shut softly.
He stared at Alice and willed her to look at him. “Alice?”
“Yes.” She moistened her lips and looked at him.
He smiled, hoping she would melt into his arms as she had in the ocean earlier today.
“Thank you for waking me up from the dream,” she said, her voice stiff and her dark eyes closed off.
Robbie was being dismissed, but he didn’t want to walk away.
He stood and glanced down at her.
“What?” she asked.
“I … thought you might need, or want, a goodnight kiss. For comfort or distraction from the nightmare?” It was not a smooth or confident line by any means, but Alice had never cared if he was smooth and polished. She’d always claimed she loved that he was genuine and trustworthy. She probably didn’t know how to trust him after fifteen years of separation.
Alice looked him over. Her cheeks darkened and hope blossomed in his chest.
She resolutely shook her head. “I’m not kissing you with that bush growing on your face.”
Robbie’s eyes widened. Did that mean she’d kiss him if he shaved? Did he dare ask?
“Goodnight, Robbie.”
Robbie nodded, turned, and strode to the door, pushing through it. If only he could shave and get his hair trimmed.
He shook his head. He couldn’t shave or get a haircut. For the undercover jobs he excelled at, it was important that his hair obscured his face. His wild, unkempt look helped him fit in with the rough traffickers and foul drug runners.
Aiden probably had other ops Robbie could do that didn’t require a hairy bush on his face, like when he’d helped Tess Gem in Jade Valley, Arizona, find a counterfeit smuggler using her bike shop as a delivery spot.
Yet he felt like he made a bigger difference fighting against human trafficking or taking down drug rings or crime lords from the inside out. That was why he hadn’t shaved or trimmed his hair.
Yet if Alice would kiss him … his insides warmed, and he selfishly wanted to shave right this moment.
Chapter
Twelve
Alice wasgrateful Robbie had been there for her last night after she had the nightmare. She’d longed to get lost in a mind-numbing kiss with him. When Price interrupted their almost-kiss, the fact that Robbie hadn’t been there for fifteen years hit her. She appreciated him being here now, but their relationship was far from the trust and love they’d once shared.
She wouldn’t let down her guard and kiss him. The beard had been an excuse. She still missed the way her Robbie looked, but she couldn’t deny the manly appeal of this new Robbie. With all his experiences and growth, he was still enticing, even if a trip to the barbershop wouldn’t be out of line.
The next morning, she slept in. When she woke, she showered and dressed in a sundress, wishing she’d remembered to ask Robbie what they were doing today. She doubted they’d have another beach day. Hopefully she hadn’t missed out on anything by sleeping in.
Only Curtis was downstairs, lounging on the couch and studying his phone. He stood and gave her a nod and a smile. “Morning.”
