Page 25

Chapter Twenty

PAYTON

I think the memory of Lily watching the sunset will live in my head for the rest of my life.

As she took in the shifting colors and reflections on the water, I memorized every facet of her.

The delicate slope of her forehead and how her nose tips up at the end.

That adorable indent above her chin, just below her full bottom lip that I can imagine kissing and nipping until she sighs.

Never has a woman intrigued me the way she does. It took great effort not to pull her against me and make my imaginings a reality. Didn’t help that she continued to let me hold her hand as we walked the beach. I suppose I can only blame myself for that.

At one point, when the sunset reached its peak, blazing the sky like a bonfire, she squeezed my hand. But I’m not sure she realized what she did because of how enraptured she appeared.

Now we’re back in the safety of my apartment, and I’m trying to think of a way to prolong our evening together.

I’d like to believe tonight helped set a precedent for the possibility of us, but she’s so difficult to read. I’ve never met anyone so controlled and downright stubborn. Most likely part of her job, but the way she challenges me…this crazy dynamic between us is driving me crazy.

Somehow, I have to convince Lily that this attraction we share is just a precursor to something bigger. Something better than either of us has known before, I suspect. If she’d only give it a chance.

Give me a chance.

“Can I interest you in a game, perhaps?” I’m loathe to let our evening end just yet. Her reports can surely wait another hour or two. It’s not even that late yet.

“I’m not really a game person.”

“We can watch something on the telly?”

She shakes her head. “Not a TV person either.”

“Don’t care for it?”

“Don’t have the time, usually.”

Well, all work and no play haven’t made Lily a dull girl, but I can’t imagine a life without fun and adventure. However, I do recognize the irony since my job is playing a game.

“What do you do for fun?”

Her gaze shifts to some faraway place in her mind. “You’d laugh at me.”

I’d fully expected her to say nothing or that it was none of my business, but this…this feels like a door she’s allowed to open just enough for me to catch a glimpse of the Lily inside.

“What if I promise not to laugh?”

Her supple lips lift on one side. “You have to do better than that.”

“Right. Then how about a secret for a secret? You tell me what you do for fun, and I will tell you something I’ve never told anyone before.”

She side-eyes me. “Not even your friends?”

“Nope.” I pop my ‘p’ like she does.

A smile slides onto her face and grows. “You swear you won’t back out on me?”

With a hand on my chest, I muster as much emotion into my voice as possible. I want Lily to trust me. “I promise I will never back out on you.”

A myriad of emotions swirl over her expression so quickly, I’m lost in identifying any of them.

She gives her chin a subtle lift. “I watch videos of cats and otters on TikTok.”

Rolling my lips inward, I do my best not to laugh, no matter how adorable I find this. “And puppies, too, I suppose.”

Her expression turns dead serious. “No. They make me suspicious.”

“Suspicious? How can a cute little puppy make you suspicious?”

“They’re too happy. Now tell me yours.”

I run my fingers around my mouth. This will either endear her to me forever or shatter my chances with her. “When I was a teenage boy, I nicked one of my sister’s romance novels.”

Forget the smile. She’s all out laughing now. “Why?!”

Why did I choose this secret to tell her? I hold my hands out in surrender. “I was a teenage boy who wanted to understand what all the fuss was about. I never expected to actually enjoy them.”

Her eyes widen. “You still read them?!”

I spin around and head toward the kitchen. “I’m in the mood for ice cream. Care to join me?”

If it were any other woman, I’d be concerned at how she’s studying me with one side of her bottom lip tucked between her teeth like I’m a piece of chocolate she’s craving. Or that hamburger she wanted.

Did I just discover a way in to Lily’s heart? Is my bodyguard actually a bit of a romantic?

In that case, I’ll go with sweets. “I have cappuccino explosion and heavenly hash.”

I take both containers out of the freezer and hold them up .

She runs her tongue over her bottom lip, which kills me to watch. “Both?”

“Ah, I see. You’re an all-or-nothing kind of woman.” The very best kind, in my book.

“If you say so.” She sits on one of the barstools.

I bring two bowls from the cabinet and set them on the counter by the ice cream cartons. After dropping a scoop of each flavor into both, I slide one over to Lily and hand her a spoon.

“Thank you.”

“You’re most welcome, luv.”

A slight blush rides up her cheeks as she focuses on her first bite.

We Brits call everyone ‘luv,’ but I know Americans find it odd sometimes, considering its counterpart here in the States.

But I’ve already made peace with the fact that I’m in love with this woman, so I will let her think it’s a British quirk, but I will mean it in its truest sense until I can express it in truth to her.

I hope that if she hears it enough, she’ll start to believe how very lovely and worthy of love she is.

I settle onto the stool next to hers with my bowl in hand. And then an idea strikes me. “Practice ends early tomorrow. Can we get permission from your handler to go to the aquarium?”

She laughs and chokes at the same time. “My handler? I’m not a spy.”

“Sorry. Your Del, then. School’s back in session, so I’d imagine crowds will be light. Think she’ll approve?”

A soft giggle rewards me. “I’ll run it by her. Why do you want to go?”

“It’s one of Sarabella’s main attractions.”

“I thought the soft white sands and blazing sunsets were.” She mimics my accent quite well.

“Those too. But there’s something at the aquarium that I think you’ ll rather enjoy.”

“What?”

“I don’t want to ruin the surprise.” I smile at her, admire her.

After she finishes her ice cream, she stands up and places her bowl in the basin. “I have reports to do.”

I follow behind her toward her bedroom.

She stops just shy of her door and turns around. “What are you doing, Payton?”

“Walking you to your door.” I slip my hands into my trouser pockets.

“Why? We’re already inside.”

“If those romance books taught me anything, it was that you always walk the damsel in distress to her door to make sure she’s safe.”

Lily’s eyes appear almost misty as if my words hit an emotional place in her. “I’m not a damsel in distress, though.”

Perhaps, but I know what I just witnessed. Something tender and vulnerable peeked out just long enough for me to catch a glimpse, and I’m determined to see more.

She lets me touch her cheek. “I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”