Page 45 of Deadly Force

She sighs, dramatic. “That you’re jacked.”

I have to bite back a grin. She’s trying to make this clinical, matter-of-fact. Like she’s reading off a grocery list instead of describing the man she talked about with her mother. But I can hear the slight hitch in her voice, see the way her eyes dart to my shoulders before snapping back to my face.

I arch a brow, one corner of my mouth twitching.

“And?”

“Charming,” she mutters.

Now I do smile. Can’t help it. The way she says it, like it’s an accusation, like she’s annoyed that I have the audacity to be charming, is the most honest thing I’ve heard from her yet.

I take another step, not touching her. Just near enough that she’d only have to lean in.

“I’m flattered you chose me over Mateo,” I say softly.

Her voice dips to match mine. “You’re enjoying this.”

“Sure am, sweetheart.”

And I am. More than I should. More than is smart or professional or appropriate given everything that’s happened.

She shifts slightly, but doesn’t move away. Doesn’t look away. Her guard’s still up, but it’s shaky now. Like she doesn’t know if she wants to defend herself… or dare me to keep teasing.

I’m hoping for the latter.

“What else did you say?” I ask, voice rougher now.

She tries to look annoyed, but it’s paper-thin. “That you’re infuriating. Bossy.”

I nod. “Fair.”

“Always five steps ahead,” she says.

“Six,” I murmur.

Her lips twitch. She’s fighting the smile, and losing.

“There were a few more,” I press.

Her gaze flicks to my arms and back up again. My pulse spikes, sending heat straight through me.

“Calm,” she says, breath hitching. “Capable.”

I step closer. Close enough that if I wanted to, I could reach out and touch her.

“Strong?” I ask, even though I already know the answer.

She swallows. “Yes.”

The way she says it, soft, almost reverent, makes something tight and possessive unfurl in my chest.

“Anything else?”

Her voice drops to barely a whisper. “You love the Lord.”

She’s not teasing anymore. And she didn’t say that to her mom just now.

The shift in her voice, in her expression, tells me we’ve moved past the playful back-and-forth into something else.