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She leans back against me, and I don't take the move for granted. I wrap myself fully around her, nuzzling into her hair. "Talk to me, baby."

"He's out there. I can feel him."

I squeeze her more tightly before turning her to fold her against me, lowering my head to kiss her temple. "I've got you, Vi."

Her arms slide up my chest and around my neck until her fingers slip into my hair. She tugs gently, rises on her toes and presses her mouth against mine, taking the kiss deeper. I feel her urgency. Her fear.

"Ah, sunshine. Stop," I murmur, cradling her face in my hand as I end the caress. "I don't want you to do something because you're scared."

"I'm not."

"You are," I say, gentling my tone.

"Fine," she murmurs. "Maybe I am a little."

That's quite a confession coming from her. Huge, actually.

"But more than anything, I just…"

Her words trail off, and I wait for her to finish her sentence. She frowns up at me in a visible fluster, and I can't help but lower my head and kiss her again because she's adorable in her consternation. "Tell me."

"He's taken so much from me," she says in a gush. "Not just recently but before, and—I don't want something bad to happen and regret… I don't want any more regrets."

My frown deepens because is she saying what I think she's saying?

She lightly punches my chest.

"Are you really going to make me spell it out?"

"I think you may need to," I murmur, wondering if I've drifted off and am dreaming, since I've wanted this—her—for so long.

She uses her palms to shove me backward, push me step by step, until my knees hit the bed behind me. I sit with a plop and stare up at her, heart pounding against my chest. "Okay, you've got my full attention."

"Sully?"

"Yeah?" I grip her waist, watching as she lowers her head, her nose nudging against mine, hair falling around our faces in a cascade of silk as our gazes lock and hold and she shows me…everything.

"Shut up and kiss me."

Chapter 41

Violet

* * *

Working the bar is easy. Or it would be if I didn't get distracted every time the door opens and someone walks inside. And then there's the memories. Thoughts. Emotions piling up inside my brain and body that make me feel like I'm crawling out of my skin for an altogether different reason other than being stalked by my ex.

My mind is a whirlwind of all things Sully, and I feel as though I'm wearing a beacon that reveals our change in relationship. Taking that step was huge for me. Because—trauma much?

But Sully was Sully. Sweet and adoring, tender. Sexy.

Repeatedly—annoyingly—checking that I was okay that night and the nights we've spent together since before he went back on shift at the firehouse yesterday.

And despite the fact that my life is literally one big target at the moment, I have no regrets. Because if Thad finds me? Gets through the battalion of men bent on protecting me?

I'll always have my time with Sully. Always have us.

Thad can't take that from me. That freedom and joy and…love. I let that word soak into me even more and realize…just how deep it goes. It’s a scary concept. But a good one. One that makes me think of the future and whatever it may bring with hope.