Page 44 of Rescuing Micah (Prey Security: Cyber Team #3)
Because of the peace on her face.
There were no furrows in her brow, no tightness around the corners of her mouth, she wasn't having bad dreams, and she wasn't worrying about anything.
This was how he wanted her to always be.
No more pain, no more suffering, no more shouldering the load alone. He was there now, and while they still had a lot to figure out, he knew they would have those conversations and make things work.
Now, though, he slipped from the bed and crept out of the room, careful not to disturb her. It had been close to midnight by the time they were both in bed and asleep, and although she’d had about nine hours’ sleep, her body needed a whole lot more. No work for Teresa today.
Even if she fought him on it.
She needed a full twenty-four hours to recuperate from yesterday.
Actually, she needed a whole hell of a lot more than that, but he was pretty sure that was about all she would feel comfortable allowing herself.
It was better than nothing, and he intended to make sure she spent the day doing absolutely nothing but sleeping, relaxing, and taking care of herself.
In the kitchen, he bustled about preparing breakfast in bed. He’d made sure that the kitchen was fully stocked before they got there so they wouldn't need to leave for any reason.
Well, he was going to have to sooner than he’d like. His team only had a week left of leave before they had to be back, and he was pretty sure that even with the revelation they’d gotten from the young nurse, a week wasn't enough to close out this case.
A name was game-changing, but it wasn't magic, it didn't fix everything, but it was the beginning of the end, and his girl had done that.
He was so proud of her, he could feel the emotion clogging his chest. Every time he looked at her, he wanted to drag her into his arms, pepper kisses all over her face, take her lips and kiss her until neither of them could breathe, and tell her over and over again how amazing she was.
Since Teresa didn't love excessive praise, she probably wouldn't like it, but tough.
She was amazing, and he was incredibly proud of her.
Not that he ever wanted her to put her life on the line like that again.
From here on out, he wanted her tucked safely away in front of her computer, not taking risks that could get her killed.
Once he had the French toast made, he piled up two plates and set both on a tray. Then he added glasses of orange juice, a bowl with some sliced fruit, and a vase with a single white hyacinth, Teresa’s favorite flower.
Balancing the tray, he headed back for the bedroom.
He hated that Teresa was stuck in this bland apartment.
It was serviceable, but it wasn't homey, and she deserved something that made her feel comfortable as well as safe.
Hopefully, it wouldn't be much longer until the case was wrapped up and she could go home. Wherever home wound up being for her.
Maybe it would be with her friends again, or … maybe she’d want to create a home with him.
It was a lot to hope for given their past, but he wanted it nonetheless. For now, it would have to be on the West Coast, at least until he retired, then if she wanted, they could move back here or stay there. Honestly, Micah didn't care where they lived as long as they were together.
He’d hoped to find Teresa still asleep when he returned to the bedroom.
Had planned on waking her with a kiss, just like Sleeping Beauty or Snow White.
But he didn't find her all tucked up under the covers, instead, she was standing up, wearing his discarded T-shirt from yesterday, and over by the dresser with something in her hands.
“You were supposed to still be asleep,” he informed her as he set the tray on the dresser and wrapped his arms around her from behind, tugging her back so she was pressed snug against him.
“Woke up and you weren't there, so I was coming to find you,” she told him, tilting her head to the side, likely so he could trail a line of kisses down the column of her neck, which was exactly what he did.
“Made you breakfast,” he said, stating the obvious since she could clearly see the tray set out before her.
“What's this?” Turning in his arms so she was facing him, her hair all sleep ruffled, her eyes still slightly puffed, she was so adorable he couldn’t help leaning down to touch a kiss to the tip of her nose before he looked at what she was holding out to him.
As soon as he saw the small, crumpled piece of paper, he knew what it was.
“Don’t be mad,” he started.
“You know in the entire history of language, never has anyone started a conversation that way, and the other person has managed not to get mad,” she teased. There was amusement dancing in her eyes, but there was trepidation there, too.
“It’s not bad, not really. The letter you sent me all those years ago, the one I never opened, the one I told you that I’d kept, I asked one of my teammates to go into my place, get it, and send it to me,” he admitted.
It wasn't that he thought he’d done anything wrong, well, not exactly, but Teresa hadn't wanted him to read the old letter, and he didn't want to upset her.
“You shouldn’t have done that,” she said with a sigh, letting her forehead drop forward to rest against his chest.
At least she wasn't shoving away from him.
That had to be a good sign, didn't it?
“I absolutely should have. I let you down, pretty girl, let them pull you away from me the other night. I could have lost you.” It was something he didn't like thinking about, because he knew anything could have gone wrong and she wouldn't be in his arms right now.
For the rest of his life, he was probably going to feel guilty about not insisting Teresa stay there or not keeping a better hold on her. More guilt for him to shoulder.
“But you didn't lose me,” Teresa reminded him. “I'm right here.”
“Yeah, you are.” She’d lifted her head, so he brushed a quick kiss to her lips.
“I didn't want you to read it,” she whispered.
“I know, pretty girl, but I needed to. It was good for me, I had to see your emotions as they were back then.
I can't explain it, I just … had to. I had it with me on the helo when we came to rescue you.
I tore it up, threw it out, ready to focus on the future instead of the past. But as I jumped, I found this piece in the air.
It was like it was waiting for me. I need you .
Of all the pieces I could have found it was this one.
The reminder that I need, for both the past and the future.
You needed me back then, and I wasn't there. That won't happen again. I swear it.”
Needing her to know how serious he was, Micah dropped to his knees in front of her, his arms circling her waist, careful not to hold too tight and hurt her wound.
“I promise you, pretty girl, I will never let you down like that again. That’s why I kept that piece of paper when I found it. Why I'm going to keep it on me every day for the rest of my life. My promise to the only woman I’ve ever loved, the only woman I’ll ever love.”
“I love you, too, Micah.” Her fingers curled into his short hair, gripping him just tight enough to sting, and when he saw tears brimming in her big brown eyes, he pushed to his feet, scooping Teresa into his arms as he did.
“That makes me the luckiest man alive. I don’t deserve your love, your forgiveness, or this second chance, but I won't ever make you regret giving them to me. I will cherish you the way you deserve forever. I’ll be the man you need me to be.”
“Yeah, you will,” she agreed. “And I’ll be the woman you need me to be. A team. That’s what I want for us. To face life and all its challenges and craziness together.”
“Together.” Just the way he wanted it. “Now you need to eat, then I need to check your wound, don’t want it getting infected this time around, and you going all tough girl and not telling me.”
“Actually, I think you're forgetting something.”
“I am?”
“Kiss me, Micah,” she said with a laugh.
That sound was the most beautiful one in the world, and as he crushed his lips to hers, Micah knew he really was the luckiest guy in the world to be able to enjoy it for as long as he lived.