Page 39 of Knight's Fall

“Well, yeah, it would. I mean we can’t make this relationship work if we’re both spies.”

She wasn’t sure how she managed to deliver her announcement with a straight face, but his look of shock was priceless. Her giggles bubbled over into a full, raucous laugh that had tears leaking out of the corners of her eyes.

“Gotcha!” she said as soon as she caught her breath.

A devilish glint shined in his eyes. He moved his chair over next to hers, and she started to wonder if she’d gone too far. Then his hand rested against the back of her head. With a gentle nudge, he pushed her head forward until her lips met his. The kiss was quick but devastating. The explosive taste of marinara and garlic mingled with the taste that was all him. It was a heady combination.

He pulled away and traced the outline of her lips with his thumb. “I had this built up in my head to be a deal breaker for you, and you managed to show me how I overreacted.”

She shook her head, her mirth dissipating. “Not an overreaction, but you can’t look at me and assume I’m too good for you. Not when I look at you and think the same thing.”

“Honey,” he breathed, and she felt the endearment warm her from her head to her toes. “Never, ever, think you aren’t good enough for someone. It’s a lie. You are amazing.”

“And you know exactly how to make a girl feel special. Now, let’s get back to our dinner before this delicious food gets cold.”

He smiled. She expected him to move back to his side of the table, but he instead moved his plate and glass in front of him. Having him so close made it hard to focus on her meal, but soon he carried the conversation onto less intense topics. She couldn’t remember the last time she enjoyed a meal so much.

As they left Mama Bella’s, Courtlyn knew she didn’t want the night to end. She could feel her levity leave when he parked his truck at his house and walked her to her back door. The hour wasn’t late, but she had an early shift at the diner and couldn’t prolong the evening as she wanted. She was tempted to ignore her responsibilities for a few more moments in his presence.

“Thank you for dinner.”

“Thank you for listening,” he said. “I hope what I told you hasn’t changed your mind about me.”

“About us, you mean?” He nodded, and she smiled. “No. I like you. A lot. I want to see where this goes.”

He lowered his forehead to rest against hers. “Me too.”

Then their lips met. This time the kiss was soft and probing, starting as sweet but growing in passion until she clung to his shoulders to keep from melting at his feet. She angled her head, and he took the opportunity to deepen the kiss. Swirls of desire permeated her body as their tongues tangled in a dance that was only theirs.

This man held the power to destroy her, but she didn’t care. It would be worth it to be with him, to be loved by him, even for a short time.

She whimpered when he pulled away, and his hand caressed her cheek. He struggled to catch his breath, and she felt a surge of pride that she could affect him this way.

“Baby, you need to get inside. You have an early shift at work, and I don't want to be the reason you’re not at your best. If you don’t go inside right now, I won’t be able to walk away.”

She wasn’t sure she could go inside on legs that were still shaky from the soul-shattering kiss. “I’m not sure I want you to walk away.”

“We have time, baby. This isn’t the end. It’s only the beginning.”

The beginning.Just what she yearned for with this man and never thought she’d ever get. She smoothed his beard with her hand, savoring the softness against her skin.

“Goodnight, Wings. I had a great time.”

“Sleep tight, Courtlyn. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

She stepped inside and closed the door behind her. She leaned against the frame, reluctant to put any more distance between them than she had to. Their relationship had shifted, and it felt right to her, more so than any relationship she’d ever had.

Indulging in a moment of indecision, she strengthened her resolve. She threw open the door, ready to shout across the yard, but drew up short to find Wings still on her doorstep just as she left him.

“I don’t want to go to bed here. I want to be with you. If all we do is sleep or talk or whatever, I don’t care. I just want to be with you tonight. Tell me you want that too.”

He reached for her and pulled her flush against him, his breath hot against her face. “Hell, yeah, I want that too. But if you come over, baby, we won’t be sleeping.”

The thrill racing through her body was exquisite and exciting and all the things her life was missing — at least until she met Wings.

“Good thing I took a nap earlier then.”

He chuckled as he grasped her hand in his and pulled her along across their yards and into his house.

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