Page 55 of The Long Game

“I’m not,” Grady said, running his fingers through Jack’s silky hair again.

With a deep breath, Jack stepped back and Grady forced himself to let him go.

Jack’s smile was thin, his expression apologetic. “I’m sorry I pulled you away from work.”

“Don’t be. I’m glad I could help.”

“Yeah, but what if you’d been in the middle of something? You would have felt bad that you couldn’t do anything, and I was fine on my own.”

“I don’t doubt that.” And there was almost nothing he could have been doing that he wouldn’t have walked away from to get to Jack. “If I couldn’t have gotten away for some reason, I would have sent someone else to help.”

“You can’t just send in the troops.”

The hell he couldn’t. And, in this case, he even had valid reasons. “Technically, Babcock is being suspicious. And now that you’ve made it clear you don’t want him around here, he’s being predatory.”

“I guess,” Jack said dubiously.

“I could also send someone else,” Grady added. “I’m not your only friend.”

Jack smirked. “Liar.”

“What? I’m not.”

“No, you’re not. But are you actually suggesting you’d send Barnaby to defend me against scum like Babcock? Or maybe call Callum and risk him charging over here in his minivan packed full of kids?”

Grady’s lips twitched. “Okay, maybe not ideal.”

Jack laughed. “Can you picture it? Barnaby trying to curse Babs into submission while Callum backed him up with a small human strapped to his chest?”

Now Grady was grinning. “Be realistic. Eleanor is too big for a chest carrier anymore.”

With another laugh, Jack grabbed his groceries and started up his steps. “Let’s be real, McDonnough. If there are villains to be vanquished, you’re the action hero for the job.”

“What?” Grady asked, his heart doing a weird fluttery thing in his chest as he followed Jack. “What are you talking about?”

Jack unlocked his door but turned to face Grady before opening it. Grady tried not to loom, but the stoop was narrow.

“I, uh…guess what I’m saying is thank you.”

“For tearing over here like a lunatic?” Grady asked. Jack’s eyes were so serious, his full pink lips so close.

“For making me feel safe.”

Grady’s iron grip on the railing was the only reason he didn’t either fall back down the stairs or tip forward until his lips crashed into Jack’s. His body shook with the desire to take Jack into his arms and kiss him breathless.

“Always, Jack.Always.”

Jack stared up at him, maybe hearing the vow for what it was. His cheeks flushed pink and he nodded once. It felt important.

God, they needed to have a fuckingtalk.

“Do you have to get back to work?” Jack asked, his voice hushed.

“Yes, sadly.”

“Dinner tonight?” Jack asked, looking hopeful.

Grady wet his lips, screwing up his courage. He pretended he didn’t notice Jack’s eyes dart down to watch his tongue. “Spend the night at my place?”

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