Page 72 of Sworn to Protect

“You ready to meet the town?”

Mackenzie flashes her smile, the kind that brought me to my knees from day one. The glow of the streetlights catches in her bright green eyes, making them shine. Behind her, laughter and music spill out from the bar. Small-town pride at its best.

“I’ve met some of them,” I say, adjusting my stance.

“Yeah, but this time will be different.” She nudges me playfully. “After saving Liam, you’re on their radar. Be prepared for pats on the back and an interrogation.”

Lovely.

I’ve spent my life flying under the radar. Attention, especially this kind, makes my skin itch. But there isn’t anything I can’t handle with Mackenzie by my side. “I’m with you. Nothing else matters.”

The teasing disappears from her face, her expression softening into something more serious. She liked hearing that.

“And you know what?” I tug her closer, inhaling the faint scent of vanilla clinging to her hair. The temptation to kiss her right here is almost unbearable. It’d be so damn easy to take her home, away from the noise and the people, and remind her exactly how much I want her.

“What?” she asks in a hushed tone.

“Not one single person in there compares to you.”

I brush my lips against her lips, just a taste because anything more would have me hauling her out of here. Since Liam’s accident, I haven’t had her the way I want, and my restraint is running dangerously thin.

She gives me a knowing grin. “I think you’re just sweetening me up so we could leave.”

I laugh. “I meant what I said, but leaving may have crossed my mind.”

She gives me the sexiest grin. “We don’t have to stay long.”

“I’ll hold you to that.” I suck in a breath and disclose a piece of myself. “Crowds aren’t my thing.”

“I know.” Her fingers tighten around mine, reassuring me. “Come on, Mr. Fix It. Once we get through this, then you can bring me home and fix me.”

My pulse spikes. “Hmm, I like that option. Very much.”

With those words, we step inside.

The bar thrums with excitement. Laughter fills the air along with clinks of glasses and music, which I assume is Sabrina McMahon’s latest album. My gaze sweeps across the packed space. The tempo is livelier than the last time, but there’s a familiarity buzzing in the air.

“There’s a small table in the far corner. Maybe it’s free?”

We weave through the crowd, and I offer to get us some drinks once she’s seated.

“Your usual?”

“Yes, please.” Her eyes linger on me, filled with something deeper. She likes that I remember the little things. If only she knew how much I actually remember.

I should’ve come clean by now. Iwouldhave if her brother hadn’t interrupted last week. The truth was on the tip of my tongue, ready to spill, but the timing had never been right. At least, that’s the excuse I keep telling myself. The reality? I’m terrified of what it might change between us, revealing the truth.

That changes tonight.

I’m coming clean.

“Nate, just the man I’ve wanted to talk to.”

Mark claps a hand on my shoulder, pulling me from my thoughts. We shake hands, his expression unreadable. “There’s another house coming up for rent. The landlord’s willing to do a six-month lease, maybe four if I push.”

My chest tightens. Six months. It’s funny. When I first started looking, six months seemed too long. Now, it feels too damn short.

“There’s a place I’m about to list that would be perfect for you,” Mark continues. “You could move in as soon as tomorrow.”

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