Page 100 of Known By You
Was I planning to fly back across the Atlantic within twenty-four hours of arriving? Sure was. Did it feel a little wild? Sure did.
But there was a peace in my soul I hadn’t experienced in… quite possibly ever.
Successful spies didn’t often retire—it was those who couldn’t stand the isolation, or the burnout, or the red tape that still cropped up sometimes. Occasionally, people at the top of their game did, and I’d seen the proof of that with my own eyes all along in Silverton, aka Eddie James-Williamson. She’d done it, had left a career destined to be a bright one, and was living her best life in this small town with friends, family, and the man she loved.
Somehow, this epitomized hope for me. Maybe I could, too…
Maybe I’d hit that wall, too. I couldn’t say I wasn’t burned out. But none of the why mattered when I knew thewho.Thewhere.And as soon as I could make it happen, thewhen.
I started a load of laundry, cleaned up a bit in the apartment, though it was fairly spotless since I’d cleaned it thoroughly before I left, knowing I wouldn’t want to come back to a mess.
The bell rang and I shuffled to the door, eager for sustenance since I’d not managed to get to the grocery store. I pulled open the door, already saying what great time the person made as I swiped through my phone for the app to confirm it was my order.
But I froze when I looked up.
“Kenny?”
His shy smile nearly catapulted me directly into his arms, but I resisted, still nailed to the spot where I stood.
“Hey, Liz.”
I laughed and it sounded a little crazed. “What are you doing here?”
His brow furrowed, but he pinned his gorgeous blue gaze on mine. “I’m here for you.”
Well, knock me over with a small gust of air. I was pretty sure there wasn’t anything more thrilling than hearing this man say that.
“You are? How? What does that mean?” My heart galloped in my chest. I couldn’t believe he was actually here.
Wait, he washere, and still standing in the hallway of my building. “First, come inside.” I stepped back out of the entrance so he could come in. He had only a backpack with him and he somehow smelled like himself—laundry detergent and mint and something else fresh, instead of airplane.
His eyes tracked over the small kitchen, living room, and the door to the bedroom. “This is… different than I imagined.”
“Oh? Did you think it’d be nicer?”
He shrugged a shoulder. “I honestly don’t know. I didn’t actually imagine anything specific. Maybe it’s just being here is the odd thing.”
I swallowed convulsively, nerves shooting through me. I hadn’t even felt elation or excitement yet because he was so serious and almost subdued, and I didn’t know what to make of it.
“Um, so, I’m here because I took a travel position with Saint. I’m the new European post.”
His eyes were glued to mine, and it took me a heartbeat to absorb his meaning. “You’re moving to Europe.”
“Yes. To be with you, if you’ll have me.”
My shattered heart knitted back together in this instant,like he’d hit rewind and every little piece that’d cleaved from the whole had been restored.
I launched at him and he caught me, his strong arms wrapping me up and his mouth meeting mine with as much determination and relief as I felt. We shifted, and then he was sliding his hand down, urging me to jump and I did, only halting the kiss for a moment to wrap my legs around his hips before I dove back in, wanting to be closer and closer to this man I loved.
He stumbled, tripping over something, and caught himself on the wall near my bedroom.
“Sorry. I’m really not trying to destroy your place,” he said between kisses.
Your place.
That phrase smacked me upside the head, and I pulled back, knowing he needed the truth more now than ever.
“I really don’t want to stop you from having your way with me, but I also really need to say a few things,” I said, breath heaving in the wake of his glorious kisses.
