“I think I can deal with that.” I smiled. As soon as I was close enough Kyle reached out and snagged my hand, pulling me into him until I straddled his lap on the chair.
I wasn’t complaining. I was exactly where I wanted and needed to be.
Kyle studied me hard, the smile falling from his face and replaced with a serious look that worried me.
“What’s wrong?” I asked as I put my hands on his shoulders and looked deep into his eyes.
“I’ve been such an idiot.” He sighed.
“What? What do you mean?”
“I’ve been holding back, not allowing myself to jump into this relationship with you, because I was scared, Liv; scared if I dared to truly claim you as mine, that I would lose you…..lose you like I lose everyone I care about.”
“You were being cautious Kyle, and after everything you’ve been through, I get that. I get why you were scared.” I told him firmly. “It’s ok. There’s no need for us to rush. I can wait forever if that’s what you need, as long as I have you in my life. We have plenty of time.”
“But that’s just it. Why am I wasting the time we have? Time we could be spending together, really together? Anything could happen. I could be killed on a job tomorrow. Jesus baby, I almost lost you yesterday! I’m wasting time I should be spending with you, holding back because I’m scared I’ll lose you. It’s stupid and I’m over it. I’m over holding back. I want you Liv, all of you, and I’m not scared to tell you anymore.”
I was shocked by his declaration, by the sudden turn around in his attitude. By the time I finally realised I needed to say something, he was moving toward me, and I didn’t dare utter a word in case I shattered the magical moment.
His lips touched mine in a peck. Then another, and another. The scent of his minty body wash, mixed with his sandalwood aftershave intoxicated me and I wrapped my arms around his neck and pressed my chest up into his, needing more, desperately.
Thankfully he obliged, deepening the kiss and wrapping his arms around my back, holding me tight against his hard body.
The kiss turned firm, and almost wild, neither of us seeming to be able to get enough. My hands wound up the back of his head and I tangled my fingers in the short strands of his sandy hair, allowing him to take complete control of the kiss and of me. He hoisted me higher in his arms, so we were level and that allowed us both the ferocity we needed in that amazing, toe curling kiss.
By the time we pulled apart I knew my face was flushed and my heart was pounding as though I’d just run a mile on the treadmill. Feeling dreamy I opened my eyes, and was grateful to find Kyle looking as goofily love struck as I felt.
“You have no idea how long I have wanted to do that.” He sighed as he lowered me back down to his lap. I sat, then folded in, resting my head on his chest, feeling completely boneless.
“Oh, I think I do.” I had been waiting for what felt like forever for Kyle to kiss me. Now he had, now all of my guys had taken that next, magical, step with me, I felt all warm and complete. It just felt so right, that they were all mine, and I was theirs.
“I love you Liv.” Kyle whispered, as he placed a kiss on the top of my head lovingly.
“I love you too Kyle.”
Perfectly content in his arms, I just allowed the moment to stretch on as long as it possibly could, not wanting any part of the world around us to sneak in and burst the bubble of happiness and contentment we were surrounded by. I was safe and I was loved there with him, and I didn’t want to move and allow the events of the day before to seep back into my consciousness. I just wanted to stay in that blissful ignorance for as long as possible.
“KY! Breakfast is ready!” Matt yelled from downstairs after a while though, and that was it. The bubble was burst and we were back to reality.
“You hungry?” Kyle asked as I forced myself to pull away from the hug and sit up.
“Not really, but we can’t stay here all day. Can we?” I sighed.
“Unfortunately not. I have a meeting with Rob and the guys at work in an hour.”
“About The Shadow?” I asked.
“Yeah. Rob’s agreed we can work the leads CPD got yesterday, to try and track the fucker down.”
“Do you think you’ll find him now?”
“I think we’re a lot closer than we were before.” Kyle said confidently. I hoped that meant they would soon find Hailey too, because it was killing me thinking of all she must be suffering, and how scared she must be. More than anything, I wanted them to catch The Shadow because I wanted them to save that little girl. The relief it would bring to know I would be safe, was secondary. If there was any way I could trade places with that poor child then I would, in a heartbeat. I was already broken. I could survive it again if it meant that little girl got away intact.
“Come on. Let’s go eat.” Kyle prompted, pulling me from my thoughts. I took his hand and stood, then we both headed down to the kitchen hand in hand.
“Morning Beautiful. You ok?” Cole asked as he walked past me to the refrigerator, as we entered. He chastely kissed my forehead as he went, and his bright smile was contagious.
“I’m good.” I replied. Kyle led me to the island and helped me up onto a stool, then went for coffee.
“Did you sleep?”
