Page 102 of Nails

“Why haven’t you ever seriously dated anyone?”

Nails paused, and his jaw tightened slightly.He looked out at the water for a moment before answering.

“The team knows,” he said quietly.“But I’ve never really talked about it outside of them.”He took a breath.“My dad walked out on my mom and me when I was a kid.Just one day left and never came back.I saw what that did to my mom and me, and I told myself I’d never put anyone through that.”

Riley didn’t interrupt.She just listened.

“And this job…well, it’s hard.We leave at a moment’s notice.We sometimes miss birthdays and holidays.There are times when we’re gone more than we’re home.Most women can’t handle that.And the few who said they could, but they didn’t.”

Riley could hear the deep-rooted pain in his voice.She reached out and placed a hand on his chest.

“Not all women are the same.And the ones who cheat on their man while he’s out serving his country?Well, they should be ashamed of themselves.Those back-stabbing, crotch-chasing cowards make me sick.I’ve seen dogs with more loyalty.At least they don’t hump the neighbor while you’re out dodging bullets.”

Nails chuckled, the tension slightly.“There’s that fire,” he said, and she smiled.

“Sorry, I have strong opinions.”

“I like that about you,” he said, smiling.

She tilted her head.“So, how do you feel about dating someone like me?An HSI agent?”

He appeared to be giving it real thought.Then he nodded, looking her in the eyes.“It won’t be easy.You’re in danger a lot, and well, I’m a protector by nature.But I respect the hell out of what you do.And I’d support you.Always.”

Her heart felt like it would burst.

“That means a lot.And just so you know, I respect what you do too.And I know that it won’t be easy.But you can count on me to always stand by your side.”

He shifted closer, and he slipped his arm around her shoulders.

“I really like you, Riley.I want to see where this can go.I’ve never felt this way around anyone before, or I should say that I’ve never let myself feel this way around a woman.But you’re special.”

Her breath caught.Damn, this was deep.But she felt the same way.Hell, she could easily see herself falling in love with him.

She reached for him and pulled him in.She kissed him again, this time slower, and filled with everything she couldn’t yet say out loud.

When they finally broke apart, he whispered against her lips, “You’ll never have to feel alone again.”

And for the first time in a very long time, she believed it.

The last kiss lingered on Nails’ lips like the aftertaste of something sweet—something you didn’t want to end.Riley’s hand rested on his chest as her body leaned into his.Her head was tucked against his shoulder like it belonged there.And maybe it did.

He couldn’t remember the last time he felt this content.The water lapped softly against the edge of the harbor, the distant carnival music now just a whisper behind them.The city lights painted the water in shades of the rainbow, and here they were, two people pretending, if just for a little while, that they weren’t on the job.

Riley shifted slightly, her arm tightening around his middle, and he leaned in, pressing another kiss to the top of her head.

Fuck, he couldn’t stop smiling.

That last kiss had knocked something loose inside him.It hadn’t been about lust or heat or desire, though God knew all of that existed between them.That kiss had been the kind of kiss you gave someone when your soul had already decided.

Being with her felt so damn easy.It was comfortable and felt natural.She didn’t make him question himself.She didn’t flinch when he opened up.And when she told him she would always stand beside him, well, that damn near brought him to his knees.

She gets it.She gets me.

And now, he couldn’t wait for this whole mission to be over so they could go home.He wanted to take her out on real dates and introduce her to his friends without covers or backstories.He wanted to wake up with her in his arms every chance he got to.Hell, he wanted a life with her.

Riley moved again, her eyes glancing up at him.“You’re quiet over there,” she murmured as her lips curved into a smile.“You okay?”

“Yeah.Just thinking,” he said, running his hand gently along her arm.“Thinking about how good this feels.”