Page 65 of Line of Resistance

Nate pulled her close, dragging his lips up her neck. “He should probably figure out a way to make that up to you.” The list of ways he wanted to show Eloise how much he appreciated her was long and varied and not a single bit of it could be accomplished here under Reggie’s nosey watch.

But there would be time. As long as he could get them out of here.

Because, if the past few days had shown him anything, it was how well he and Eloise worked as a team. How much their skills and personalities complimented each other. How strong of a force they were even in the face of unimaginable adversity.

But that wasn’t all he’d been lucky enough to witness. He’d seen Eloise’s strength. Her bravery. Her quick thinking. The vulnerable side she protected at all costs. Eloise was so much more than he could have hoped for and it only deepened his resolve to make it through this.

Because he needed as much time with her as he could get.

“Well, he did offer to take me anywhere I wanted when this is over. I’m sure a trip to Disney World will even things out a little.” The teasing line of her mouth flattened out as she tried to hide her amusement.

Her happiness.

Because Eloise wasn’t at all what some assholes made her believe. She wasn’t bitchy or unlikable. Not in the slightest.

She was just like he was. Afraid of being alone. Willing to do whatever it took to make sure that didn’t happen, even if it meant sacrificing her sense of self.

And he was done lettingthathappen.

“I’m not sure that’s enough.” Nate reached up to smooth down a bit of hair that had come loose from the braid she’d woven her wet strands into after their shower. “I definitely owe you a warm shower.” He trailed his fingers down the column of her neck. “A night or two in a comfortable bed.”

Eloise’s eyes moved over his face, no doubt looking for any hint this would go the same way it had so many times before. “I guess we’ll see.”

They would. She might not believe him now, but eventually Eloise would realize he was done backing off. Finished getting in his own way. Tired of sacrificing one happiness for another.

Nate traced the line of her jaw, skimming one thumb over her lower lip. “Does that mean you’re willing to give me the chance to make everything up to you?”

Eloise focused on Reggie as the older woman straightened up the table where they’d spent most of the day. Her gaze came back to his face and she moved a little closer, voice low as she leaned in. “I thought you were already doing that.” The pink flush of her cheeks told him exactly what she was referring to. Maybe she didn’t hate their cold shower as much as she claimed.

He lifted one brow. “Is it working?”

Eloise tilted her head and gave him a little shrug. “I guess we’ll see about that too.”

Nate chuckled as she walked away, going to the table to help Reggie clean up their empty plates and used glasses. He turned back to the window, eyes lifting to the sky as the newest wave of snow began to fall.

No doubt Heidi was losing her mind. She probably had half the company out looking for them along with as many members of GHOST as she could blackmail Vincent into parting with.

But part of him hoped they wouldn’t be found. At least not tonight.

He wanted one more chance to hold Eloise close. To wake up to her smiling face before they were faced with reality. Especially since reality was probably not going to look like Eloise believed it would.

She didn’t realize it now, but her days of living alone were over for a while. Between whoever shot at them and stole their cars and Matt’s unexpected appearances at her home, there was no way in hell she was going to get rid of him anytime soon.

Reggie yawned, the sound loud and long and a little too dramatic to be completely genuine. “I’m ready for bed.” She snagged a book from the small end table next to her recliner. “You two wore me the hell out, making me entertain you all day.” She tucked the book under one arm and headed for the small hall at the other side of the house. “I take my hearing aids out at night, so if you need something you’ll have to come get me.” She wiggled her brows at Eloise as she passed. “Fair warning, I sleep in the nude.”

Eloise’s eyes widened like she was shocked, but nothing Reggie said surprised him at this point. Somehow they’d managed to find their way to the mouthiest, wildest old woman in the mountains.

And he wasn’t mad about it.

Reggie moved past him, leaning in and lowering her voice. “Help yourself to the prophylactics in the nightstand. Better not be any babies being made on my watch.” She gave him an exaggerated wink before disappearing into the hall opposite the one leading to the guest room.

He stared after her, shaking his head. Maybe he could be a little shocked by what came out of her mouth after all. Never in his life had an old woman offered him condoms, and he’d be more than happy if it never happened again.

Not that it mattered. There was no way his first time with Eloise would be in the same house as the meddling old woman. Not because he believed Reggie would listen in or invade their privacy again. But because you didn’t fuck in your grandma’s house, and Reggie already felt a little like his grandma.

“What did she say to you?” Eloise came to his side but didn’t come close enough for their bodies to touch, which showed just how far he had to go.

She still wasn’t completely confident he was going to stick around. Her uncertainty showed in every sideways glance and every hesitant touch. His feral little kitten was moving into her skittish stage. Desperate for contact, but still too scared to initiate it.

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