Page 122 of Reset

“About an hour ago.” He brought a plate loaded with cholesterol sandwiches over to the table and sat beside her.

“You can’t quit your job,” she said, her brain at least two steps behind her mouth. “You love it.”

“Ah, but not as much as I love you.” He stood. “Forgot my coffee.” He strode over to the counter.

Sarah was back to saying, “What?”

“Plus,” he said as he sat back down. “I have hand spasms and headaches that make my job hard. And there’s a whole bunch of newspaper people who won’t leave me alone.” He frowned. “Nobody has annoyed you, have they?”

“No.” She’d been really grateful that her name had been kept out of everything and had wondered why Ryan’s hadn’t.

“Good. An idiot cop let it slip that the guy leading them back into the tunnels was the one who’d escaped the killer. That’s how they found out about me. I’m glad we managed to keep the lid on your identity.” He took a large bite of the sandwich, which, she had to admit, smelled wonderful.

“Are you talking this much so that I can’t get a word in?” she asked while she could.

He swallowed, took a sip of coffee, and stared at her. “Do you have anything sensible to add to this conversation?”

“Ryan.” She placed a hand on his arm, which was a huge mistake. Because now all she could think about was how fantastic it was when those arms held her. “I can’t live with you resenting me for making you leave your job.”

“You didn’t. We’re good.” He shrugged like the topic was over.

“I’m serious. I know how much you love working for Benson Security. You thrive on the adventure and excitement. You won’t get that from me and you’ll resent me because of it.”

He leaned forward in his chair, his eyes never leaving hers. There was such serious intent within them that it made her nervous.

“I’m only going to explain this once, and then this conversation is over forever, okay? I can find adventure and excitement anywhere. I don’t need to risk my life to get it. More to the point, I can show you how to have excitement and adventure along with me. It wasn’t you who changed my direction in life, it was a bullet to the head. All you did was give me a choice for the future that’s way better than anything I could have come up with on my own. Whether we spend our lives together or not, I’m not going back to Benson Security. It’s done. It’s over. And now, I need to find a new way forward. I want that way to be with you. Not to replace my team, but because I love you and I choose you. The question is, do you choose me?”

“I want to believe you,” she whispered, holding his gaze. But she’d never had anyone who chose her.

“Then get a move on, Stats. I’d rather be doing other things than talking.”

Sarah hiccupped out a laugh as tears streamed down her cheeks. “I’m scared.”

“You’ll be fine. I won’t let you get hurt.”

“If you do, if you’re lying, I’ll call Rachel.” And Rachel would probably do something they’d all regret.

“I seriously regret introducing you two,” he said with a shake of his head. “It’s one of life’s mysteries that you can even talk to each other, let alone scheme together.”

“I mean it,” Sarah said. “I couldn’t handle it if this was just you being wonderful and thinking of me instead of yourself.”

“Trust me, baby, I’m very much thinking of myself. But if it makes you feel happier, sure, keep Rachel on speed dial. I know it will take a while for you to believe me. Until then, I’ll just keep telling you that you’re my choice and I love you.”

Damn it, she was crying hard now. What a sissy! She cleared her throat and flashed him a smile. “So, living together, huh?”

“Too soon?” He caressed the tears off her cheek. “Because that’s the toned-down option, I was going to start with proposing but figured it might freak you out completely.”

“Good decision.” Her stomach did somersaults just at the thought of marrying Ryan Granger.

“So, can we live here?” he asked, reminding her of an eager puppy.

She was standing on a precipice. The drop was too far to comprehend. But Ryan was telling her he’d be her safety net. Did she have the courage to step off the edge? To fly free instead of clinging to the safety of her small, boring life? To believe he’d catch her?

Staring into his eyes, she said the only thing a person could say when they were offered everything. “Yes.”

“About bloody time,” he muttered before taking her mouth in a kiss that was tender and needy, and tasted of bacon.

When they finally parted, Sarah felt drugged and desperate.