Page 68 of Unbridled Fire
And now, here I was, down one thumbnail and doing quick work on the other. A shuffle sounded at the back door, and I rose. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up and I searched my brain, trying to remember if I had locked the door and the outside gate behind Nick when he left. Yes, I was sure I had...
Leo stepped through the doorframe, and I shrieked, running toward him and jumping into his arms. My legs wrapped around his waist as I pressed frenzied kisses to his face.
“Ohmygod,” I breathed in between kisses. “I was so worried. Did you get arrested?”
Leo carried me toward the couch, plopping down as I straddled his thighs. Grinning, he palmed my cheek. “Hey, don’t stop kissing me. It was just getting good.”
Breathing a sigh of relief, I shook my head. “Don’t you tease me right now, Leo Stabler. I was worried sick! And Dima’s upstairs, so no more kissing for now.”
Leo formed a cute pout. “Damn. I’ll definitely need a raincheck.”
“Leo,” I said, unable to keep the worry out of my tone. “What the fuck happened?”
He brought me up to speed on everything: the arrest, the offer from the task force, and his acceptance of it. After he’d laid out all the details, I exhaled a long breath as my lips fluttered.
“Wow. You had one hell of a morning.”
Chuckling, he leaned his head back on the couch. “No shit.”
His eyes filled with sentiment as he gazed at me. “I want you to take some time and think about if you can accept the changes I’m making. It’s going to create some instability as I acclimate to the job. But the good news is that it will fast-track Dmitry’s green card.”
“I’m in this, Leo,” I said, smiling. “As long as you’re safe, we’ll figure out the new job together. Also, I told Michael to rent out my apartment, so I kind of need to live here.”
The lines under his eyes crinkled in that handsome way as he grinned. “I like the sound of that.Mywoman inmyhouse.”
Wrinkling my nose, I swatted his chest. “That’s pretty misogynistic, but I’ll forgive you.”
He traced a finger over my arm, causing bumps to form beneath. “If you marry me, we can put you on the deed.”
I bit my lip to contain my grin. “Is that so?”
He nodded as his smile deepened.
I’d been slightly holding back, and Leo had been incredibly patient as we navigated our new path together. Although I was all in, there was one more thing I wanted to take care of before I made the commitment to him.
“Let’s talk about that more at sushi dinner,” I said, waggling my eyebrows. “I think by then, I’ll be ready for the serious discussion. Sake will probably help too.”
“Then, we’ll orderlotsof sake,” he said playfully.
Aching to hold him, I slid my arms around him and buried my face in his neck, grateful he and Dmitry were both okay.
Tomorrow, I would take the last step toward creating the new life I was finally ready to live. Until then, I was content to holdmyman in the house that would soon beours.
The next morning, I told Leo I was heading to the local coffee shop because I needed a change of scenery. Instead, I walked to the corner and called a rideshare to Michael’s house.
When I arrived at the gate, Burns buzzed me in and met me at the front door.
“Ma’am, he’s just arrived home from the docks. Can you wait in the living room?”
“Sure, Burns, but only if you call me Katia.”
“Sorry, yes, Katia. Would you like some water?”
“That would be great. Are Alexis and Bianca here?”
“They’re attending Alexis’s Lamaze class. Bianca has been going with her when Nick has other commitments.”
“That’s sweet,” I said, entering the living room and sitting on the couch. Burns brought me the water and I sipped it as I waited for Michael.
