Chapter 17
The weight of the moment sits on my shoulders as I say, “With you.”
I say it simply, because it’s the truth and the only answer that makes any sense.
She’s very still, eyes searching my face.
When I glide my hand beneath her hair, cupping her neck, she sighs.
“The rest is just logistics.”
There’s a softening of her entire face, and then she kisses me again.
We take our time, feeling the words we just shared. The promises. The opportunities, and everything in between.
“Is this really my life?” she asks, scrunching her nose cutely.
“Yeah, sweetheart. Thanks to fate and some probable covert maneuvers.”
We laugh together as the hot tub bubbles around us, steam rising soft and hazy, and for the first time in a long damn time, the future doesn’t seem bleak.
It feels like a gift.
But the heat between us is rising fast, and I have boundaries to protect tonight.
“We should go,” I murmur, lifting her easily from the water.
Her slick body glides against mine, and I curse inwardly as I place her gently on her feet.
The towels are thick as blankets and heated. Pulling one around her shoulders, I wrap her up, snug, protectively.
Trying not to think about how hard I still am in these clingy wet briefs, I turn to grab my own towel and promptly slip on the wet stone like a rookie.
Liberty bursts into laughter. “Graceful. Very elite for a super soldier.”
I shoot her a mock glare, blinking water from my eyes. “The blame is squarely on you, babe.”
“Oh, right? Because you were staring at me instead of watching your footing.”
“Correct,” I say without shame, tightening my towel. Her eyes flick down, then dart away, cheeks coloring. Good. At least I’m not alone in this torment.
We head inside, our damp footprints trailing behind us, her shoulder brushing mine with every few steps. It shouldn’t short-circuit me, but it does.
“All that swimming made me hungry,” she says, adding air quotes around swimming.
I cough out a laugh. “Swimming, huh? Is that our code word? Every couple needs one.”
There is a stumble in her next step.
Couple hit her. It hit me too, but I meant it.
“Kitchen raid?” I ask, knowing the night is still young and there’s no way I’m done hanging out with her.
“Only if we take the food to the tree.”
The idea makes my chest feel like it’s glowing. “Deal. But I’m picking the snacks. Can’t trust a civilian with mission-critical dessert decisions.”
She swats my arm as we walk into the kitchen. The low lighting makes the space feel like it was built for midnight mischief. Which is why I want the island between us.
“Have a seat,” I point.
After giving me a look, she hops onto a stool, watching me while I open the fridge.
I do a quick assessment. Grabbing lots of cheese because she needs something besides sugar. Then a box of chocolate truffles because they are romantic AF.
Home-baked cookies wrapped in wax paper and tied with little ribbons join the mix.
Chocolate-dipped strawberries are next.
Her eyes sparkle as I arrange everything carefully, systematically.
A bottle of sparkling cider clunks as I place it on the counter.
“Ooh,” she murmurs. “This looks incredible.”
“Holiday feast, high-end grazing style. I could get used to this chef thing.”
“You’re not kidding. Think Marshall and Luke would let us just move in here?”
“I can work on that.” Ideas start to spin in my head. The owners of Agile S it softens instantly, warm chocolate smearing as she bites into it.
Her eyes close again. “God. That’s amazing.”
She unwraps a cookie with reverence, breaking it in half. “Smell this. You can tell it’s homemade. The little tag said these are Grandma MacLennan's Cherry Christmas Slices “
I inhale then bite, nodding my approval. “Damn good, Grandma MacLellan, wherever you are.”
We eat the cookies and truffles slowly, the way you do when something feels special. When you’re with someone who feels special.
She nudges my knee. “Best midnight kitchen mission ever executed.”
“Easily.”
Liberty pours two glasses into the resort’s fancy crystal flutes, handing me one.
“To… whatever this is,” she says shyly.
I tap my glass to hers. “To tonight.”
We sip. She curls her legs under herself, gazing at the twinkling tree like she’s memorizing it.
“This,” she whispers, “feels like something I never thought I’d get.”
I shift closer, letting our shoulders touch. “Feels like something I didn’t know how to ask for.”
Her breathing wavers, the sound vulnerable and real.
I slide my arm around her and pull her gently into my side.
“Stay with me tonight,” I murmur. “No pressure. Just you in my arms in one of those ridiculously plush beds.”
Her answer comes quick, making me so glad I asked. “I’d love that.”