Chapter 2
I Can’t Let Her Go
Remmi
I place my trembling hand in Wire’s. He pulls me to my feet, then guides me past my car and into his truck. He buckles my seat belt for me, then hurries into the driver’s seat. The engine roars to life. He whips out of the parking spot and onto the main road, then holds my hand the rest of the way.
My place is just on the outskirts of town. I’ve always liked nature and waking up to the sounds of birds singing and falling asleep to the soft chorus of crickets. It’s when I quiet my mind that I do my best work. Creating art from a piece of clay may seem easy, but it’s hard work.
Hollywood makes it look sexy in the movie Ghost, with Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze, but there’s a lot more to it than tossing clay on a wheel and running your hands over it.
It’s about texture, design, and incorporating glazes and other techniques that make each piece unique.
That’s what I’m known for and how I’ve built my business.
About five years ago, I started making a few pieces, and after I sold them, I approached a few small boutiques and placed some pieces on consignment.
Slowly, the word got around, and now the orders come in regularly.
I make a good living doing what I love, but I don’t really need to work.
I’m an only child, and Mom and Dad have more money than they’ll ever be able to spend.
They’ve made it quite clear that the trust they have in my name will provide for my children, when I have them, and me.
But I like to work. It gives me purpose, and when someone buys a piece I created and displays it proudly in their home, it’s the best feeling in the world. Many of the people who have purchased my pottery have emailed me personally to let me know how much they love it.
As we approach my cottage home, it dawns on me that my car is still at the bar.
“My car—”
“Got it taken care of, baby. Rebel’s going to pick it up and drop it off tomorrow,” he answers.
“My keys are in my purse.”
“He’ll be by in the morning to get them.”
“I’m causing too much trouble.” Guilt is setting in. These guys save people’s lives. I should know because they saved mine. They don’t have time to pick up and drop off cars. “I can call an Uber and go get it myself.”
“It’s all set, Remmi. No worries, we got your back,” Wire returns with a grin.
“Maybe you can drop me off on your way to work,” I say, still feeling bad about the whole situation.
He squeezes my fingers. “Stop stressing. Rebel doesn’t mind, and we’re sleeping in tomorrow. It’s Saturday, and we’re on a break from any major cases.”
“We’re sleeping in?” Wire’s staying the night? He’s done this occasionally, but he hasn’t done that since he installed the state-of-the-art security system.
“It’s late, and I thought I’d crash on your couch. You don’t mind, do you?” he asks casually.
“N-no. Not at all.” I release the breath I’m holding. I wasn’t looking forward to being in the house by myself.
“Good. That’s settled. Let’s go inside.” He slides out of the truck and comes over to my door in seconds.
He wraps an arm around my waist and leads me up the steps to my porch then takes the keys from me and waits for me to go inside first before he moves to the security panel and resets the alarm.
My house is tiny. Essentially, the living room, kitchen, and eating area are all one open-concept space, and off to one side is the laundry room and bathroom.
On the other side is the master bedroom with a connecting bathroom and another small bedroom that I use for storage. It’s small, but it’s home.
Wire goes into every room to make sure that I feel safe. Even though the alarm was on, Wire does this to set my mind at ease.
“I know it’s late, but do you want to watch a movie?” I point to the array of DVDs I’ve collected. I know there are a ton of streaming stations, but I like having the DVDs. It’s silly, but then again, I’m me, and that’s what I do. I’m also too wound up to sleep.
“Sure, but only if snacks are provided,” Wire teases. This is because after spending time with me, he knows that movies and snacks go hand in hand in my book.
“Deal,” I reply, smiling up at him.
“My turn to pick.”
“I’m on snacks. Do you want a beer?” I walk to the kitchen cupboard and reach for the chips, chocolate-covered almonds, and the cookie container with freshly made chocolate chip cookies.
“Sounds good,” he answers.
I come back with a tray filled with goodies. Wire is sitting on my couch, his feet up on my coffee table. He pulls me down beside him, leaning me into his body, snuggling with me.
This is new! I peer through lowered lashes at his face.
He’s got the remote in his hand and is focused on starting the movie.
He’s completely relaxed, but my heart is thudding wildly in my chest. This time, it’s not in fear but excitement.
This can’t mean anything. Wire is only being sweet like he usually is.
He’s taking care of me as he always does when I get upset.
Okay, so this time I’m wrapped in his arms, when other times, he’s gotten a blanket and wrapped it around me, sitting close, but not this close. His fingers are grazing my arm leisurely, as if we’ve done this before, but we haven’t. I’m reading way too much into this.
I force myself to stare at the screen. Always Be My Maybe begins to play. It’s one of my favorite movies. It’s a romantic comedy, but mainly, it’s about being afraid to move on and taking a leap of faith to make a change.
Wire leans forward, grabs the bowl, puts it on his lap, takes a chip, and pops it into his mouth. His very sexy mouth. He catches me staring. I can feel the heat rising in my cheeks.
“I love sweet chili chips,” he says with a smile.
“I know,” I whisper.
“You bought them for me?”
“I like them too.”
“But you buy them for me.”
“Yeah,” I admit, suddenly feeling vulnerable.
“Thank you, beautiful,” he says, then I feel his lips graze my forehead before he turns his attention back to the movie.
What’s going on? This thing going on between us right now is different. I like it. What if I’m wrong and this is just Wire being the sweet guy he always is? Maybe I’m making more of this than it really is.
“Relax, Remmi.” His voice is a soft rumble. I give in, letting my body relax against his, and rest my head on his chest.
Wire
Remmi melts against me as she watches the movie. It’s not long before she’s out cold. The rush of adrenaline from her scare earlier has worn off, and she relaxes and closes her eyes. Soon, she’s snoring softly.
I like her where she is and don’t make a move.
Remmi and I have watched this movie several times.
It’s her feel-good movie, and after the night she had, I knew this would be comforting.
If you were to have asked me six months ago if I’d be watching a romantic comedy, I would have called you crazy.
But for Remmi, I’ll watch them. And to be honest, this one is pretty good.
I end up watching the whole movie before trying to wake up Remmi.
She murmurs something that I can’t make out.
I lift her into my arms and carry her through to her bedroom, laying her gently down on the bed.
I remove her ankle boots, then take off her jacket.
I draw the covers up over her and am about to walk away when she opens her eyes.
“Please don’t go,” she whispers.
“I’m not leaving. I’ll be right outside on your couch,” I tell her, stroking her face gently.
“Stay with me,” she says, then adds, “Here. With me.”
“You don’t know what you’re saying.”
“I do.” She stumbles for a moment, then says, “Just sleep. If—if you’re okay with that.”
I don’t reply but shrug off my jacket, dropping it on the chair near the bed.
I take off my shoes and belt, but leave the rest of my clothes on.
Remmi needs to feel safe with me, and as much as I would love to feel her skin against mine, it’s far too soon to make my move.
I’ve allowed myself to go further tonight than I ever have.
Holding her close and now sharing her bed, even clothed, is huge for both of us.
I lie on top of the covers, and Remmi shimmies closer to me.
She closes her eyes, but reaches out and slips her hand in mine.
Remmi falls back to sleep in no time, but I spend hours watching her.
She’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.
Remmi is a natural beauty; she wears minimal makeup, jeans, and T-shirts, and her hair looks like she works on it for hours, but I know for a fact that she steps out of the shower and leaves it loose to dry.
Her long, straight, chestnut hair is like fine silk to the touch.
The guys I call brothers, my team, know how I feel about her.
I fought it at first, but I knew I was hooked when I spent more time checking in on Remmi than I was working.
Falcon gave me time, but he finally had to pull me aside and have a heart-to-heart.
He reminded me that Phoenix, Bull, and Rebel depend on me being on my A game.
When we’re on a mission, one mistake could cost any one of us our lives.
“I can’t let her go,” I told Falcon.
“I’m not asking you to make that choice. I’m telling you to tell her how you feel. I don’t know Remmi well, but I’m thinking that she isn’t pushing you away, and that has to mean something,” Falcon replied.
I grab the phone off the bedside table and send two texts.
One to remind Rebel to pick up the keys to Remmi’s car.
The other to Falcon, letting him know I’m taking the day off.
I was going to go in to get caught up on paperwork.
I hate doing it, and it piles up, but the plan was to go in and get it done.
But now I’d rather spend the day with my girl.