Page 52 of Homecoming

That explained a lot.

“Well, I won’t turn on you. Even if we don’t work out, I’m not the type of person to grind your nose into the dirt or air dirty laundry.”

He stared at her for a long moment, before giving her a curt nod, some kind of tension easing in his shoulders. It was obvious to her that he’d really been worried about her response. She dared to reach across the table, to run her fingers down his knuckles. They weren’t beat up anymore, but he drew back like it hurt.

Grace straightened. “Sorry,” she said, focusing on her mug. Why had he reacted that way to such a simple touch?

“No, I’m sorry,” he said, opening his hands from the cup and reaching toward her. “Over the past few days, when I didn’t hear from you, I started to prepare myself for a negative response, and it’s taking my mind a minute to catch up.”

Grace accepted his touch, and she found herself leaning forward to clasp both of his hands in her own. “Well, catch up to this. The fact that you came down here at two in the morning to check on me? Makes me hope that you like me at least as much as I like you.”

“More,” he said immediately, his voice so deep it send a shiver down her spine.

Grace’s heart thudded as Owen’s single word—more—hung in the air between them, rough and unguarded, like he’d ripped it straight from his chest. His hand tightened around hers, the callouses scraping her skin in a way that felt grounding, real. She searched his eyes, those deep, storm dark irises that had always held so much back, and saw something new flickering there—something raw and unguarded that made her breath catch.

“More?” she echoed, her voice soft but teasing, trying to lighten the weight of the moment even as her pulse raced. “That’s a very ambiguous word for a man who loves details like you do.”

Owen’s lips twitched, the ghost of a smile breaking through his exhaustion. “Yeah, well, I’ve had a lot of time to think while I was tearing myself up over you not calling.” He paused, his thumb brushing over her knuckles, slow and deliberate. “And I realized something.”

Grace tilted her head, her teasing fading as she felt the shift in him. “What’s that?”

He took a shaky breath, his gaze dropping to their joined hands like he needed a moment to gather himself. When he looked up again, his eyes were steady, piercing, and her stomach flipped. “I realized I’ve been running from this—from you—for too damn long. Not because I don’t want it, but because I’m scared shitless of what it means. Of what I could lose if it goes wrong.”

Her chest tightened, and she squeezed his hands. “Owen…”

“No, let me say it,” he rasped, his voice rougher than ever, like every word was a battle. “You see me—the real me. You’ve seen some of the mess I am. I’ve been through a lot of shit with the Dogs, and I’ve got no business dragging someone beautiful and colorful like you into my fucked-up world. But you’re here. And you’re still looking at me like I’m worth something. I—” He swallowed hard, his jaw clenching. “I don’t think I can let you go, Grace. I don’t know when it happened, or how the hell I let it, but I think I’m in love with you.”

The words hit her like a wave, stealing her breath and flooding her with warmth all at once. She blinked, her eyes stinging, but she couldn’t stop the smile that spread across her face. “Owen,” she whispered, her voice trembling with emotion. She slid her hands free and reached up to cup his face, herthumbs brushing over the stubble on his jaw. “You think you’re the only one who’s scared? I’ve been terrified for months that you would pull away and disappear up on your mountain, never to be seen again. And since Christmas night I’ve been terrified I’d lose you if I couldn’t handle everything you told me. But I’ve been thinking about you nonstop, even through the screaming, sick kids and the chaos. You’re in my head, in my heart, and I can’t shake you.”

He leaned into her touch, his eyes fluttering shut for a moment like he was savoring it, and when they opened again, they were softer, unguarded in a way she’d never seen. “So what’re you saying?”

“I’m saying I love you too, you stubborn, quiet, ridiculous man,” she said, her voice breaking into a laugh. “I love how steady you are, how you care about those guys up there like they’re your family. I have no doubt that you would have walked away if it meant keeping them safe, and that shows a selflessness that is so rare. I love that you came down here at two a.m. just to make sure I was okay, even after I left you hanging. I loveyou, Owen Black—all of you, the mess and the history and everything else. And I’m not going anywhere.”

For a heartbeat, he just stared at her, like he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. Then he surged forward, closing the small distance between them, and kissed her—hard and fierce, pouring everything he couldn’t say into it. His hands slid into her damp hair, tugging her closer, and she melted against him, her fingers curling into his shirt as she kissed him back.

When they finally broke apart, panting, he rested his forehead against hers, his breath warm against her lips. “You mean that?” he murmured, his voice so low it vibrated through her. “You’re really in this? It could be dangerous. I’m serious, Grace. Armed men could show up tomorrow and try to take us away. Or try to destroy us.”

“Then you’d better teach me how to shoot a gun, or whatever,” she said, brushing her nose against his, “because nothing is coming between us. You’re worth everything, Owen. I don’t care how complicated it gets, or what’s waiting up that mountain. I want you. I want us. And I’ll fight for it if I have to.”

Owen let out a shaky laugh, the sound rough but lighter than she’d ever heard it. “You’re gonna be the death of me, Grace. But I’d take that fight any day if it’s with you.” He pulled back just enough to look at her, his hands framing her face, and the love in his eyes was so clear it made her heart ache. “I’ve never had someone like you in my corner. Never thought I could. But I’m not letting you go. You’d better be sure about this.”

“I am,” she said, grinning through the tears clinging to her lashes. “Because I’m pretty stubborn myself. You’re stuck with me, Cap’n.”

He smiled then—a real, full smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes and made him look younger, freer than she’d ever seen him. “Best damn thing I’ve ever been stuck with,” he said, and pulled her into his arms, holding her tight against his chest like he’d never let go.

Grace buried her face in his neck, breathing him in—pine and coffee and that faint hint of motor oil that was so uniquely him—and felt the last of her doubts melt away.

Standing, she tugged him up by the hand. “I think we both need some cuddling. Maybe you should take my temperature again. Apparently, it raises when I’m around you.”

Owen tipped back his head and laughed. And it was the most beautiful thing Grace had heard and seen in a very long time.

EPILOGUE

Hey, babe. Gonna be late finishing these displays. Tell everyone I’m sorry I have to miss dinner. Love you dearly!

Owen frowned down at the text. Of all the days to be late.

Sighing, he typed out a response.Love you too.Then he pushed up out of the chair. Tonight was their six-month anniversary, and he wasn’t going to let it pass by with a text message and Grace working late. Then her falling asleep in the apartment over the shop because she was too tired to drive up the mountain.

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