“It’s not hard, which is something your team might want to consider.So much for a secure location?—”
“You’re nuts!That was three flights.”
“Actually, no.It was a walk up to the rooftop dining area of the restaurant and then a scramble up to the balcony.”He nodded to the jutting terrace just a story below.
She leaned over.Twinkle lights edged the eating area, a few patrons at tables, enjoying the balmy early September night.
“Besides, I wanted to bring you this.”He leaned down and picked up his bag, opened it.Pulled out?—
“A...a Snickers bar?”
He shrugged.“Felt like the right thing.”
“The right thing.”
“I thought you...I thought you left.”Oh,the wavering in her voice didn’t help at all.
He stepped toward her, frowned.“I was going to.And then I realized—” He took a breath.“The mission’s not over.”
“We got Axiom.”
He took a step closer, his blue eyes holding hers.“That’s not my mission, Emberly.”
Oh.
“I don’t know what’s next for me, but I do know I don’t want to leave you.”He swallowed.“I don’t know why, because you’re unpredictable, and dangerous?—”
“And trouble?”But she stepped up to him.From somewhere on the street, music rose, along with laughter, the night crowd eating.
“Maybe a little trouble,” he said softly.
Her heart thumped, the richness of the autumn night in the air, the stars blinking overhead, the scent of adventure and even mystery on his skin.“I don’t mean to be trouble.But this...this is me.”She gestured to herself, her dark pants, the green sweatshirt.“This is me.Or I thought so until you...you...you...showed up.And you totally?—”
“Messed up your world,” he said, dropped the candy bar back into his pack, then closed the gap between them.His hand went around her neck, his eyes held hers, just for a moment; then his mouth took hers, as if it belonged to him.
As if she was his.
And maybe she was.Maybe she had been for a long time, like Luis had said—“I knew you two...”
She wrapped her arms around his waist, holding on, lifting herself on her toes so she could have more of him.
And him, more of her.
He tasted salty and yet sweet, his kiss deepening as his strong arms curled around her.He took another step, and her back touched the cool stone wall of the ancient building.She made a noise and he lifted his head, met her eyes.
“You okay?”
“I have no idea what I am.”
He smiled.“You’re beautiful.And smart.And brave.And crazy?—”
“The first thing that actually sounds like me.”She laughed.
He cut her off with another kiss, this time slower, taking his time, although his arms tightened around her.
As if he couldn’t bear to let her go.
She’d kissed him before—stolen kisses, really—and the one in the yard might have been for show.But this...this one bore the sense of something real.As if he was giving over a piece of himself.His heart?His future?—
