Page 97 of Out of the Shadows
“Well, you did get out,” Xander said. “And you did a damn fine job. Though I must say, egging Branson on about Constance was risky. However, the bit about that woman’s dirty, used pussy was fucking hilarious?—”
“Hey!” Gavin glared at his friend as laughter filled the conference room.
Xander held up his hands. “What?Shesaid it, not me. I’m just repeating. Besides, it was hilarious. Risky, but hilarious. And I, for one, am in complete agreement with B.” Xander glanced at Bean and then nodded at Gavin. “He almost lost his shit though.”
Alvarez smothered his laugh with a fake cough. “Anyway, good job out there. We all know you’re fucking smart, and no one is surprised you outwitted the fucker and got him to turn his back on you.”
“Again, totally thought Frazier was gonna lose his shit, but what can you do?” Xander shrugged, grinning. “You’re his woman, B, so you can’t fault the guy, right?”
She glanced at him, grinning. “Your woman, eh?”
“Damn straight.” He winked at her, tipped her chin up with his finger, and pressed a quick kiss to her lips. “All right, everyone out. I’m not gonna tell my woman just how much I love her in front of all of you.”
“Oh, come on,” she said, her tone teasing as chucklesbroke out in the room. “I love you, so what does it matter if they’re all witnesses?”
His heart locked in his chest, and his gaze bored into hers. She stared at him with a look of love he still wasn’t sure he deserved. But he was taking it, dammit. Taking her. Forever.
“Everyone, get out,” he growled.
Laugher filled his ears as his teammates cleared out. Bean waved and thanked them all, but he didn’t take his eyes off her.
The moment the room was clear, he pulled her onto his lap and pressed his forehead to hers, unable to speak. The fear and worry, the hours of not knowing where she was or if she was okay were lodged in his throat like a rock blocking his words.
She was safe in his arms, but he still couldn’t quite believe it.
Her soft hands cupped his jaw, and his eyes filled with tears. Closing them, he savored her touch.
“I love you, Gavin. Thank you for coming for me.”
His chest squeezed with emotion. Her words, her touch eased the panic gripping his heart. “I love you so much, B. I was so scared I wasn’t going to get the chance to tell you, to show you how much I love you.”
She pulled her forehead from his and tilted his face up so he met her steady blue gaze. Her thumb brushed away a tear he hadn’t realized had fallen. “But you have shown me in so many ways. I know you love me. I was too busy getting stuck in my own head, but your love fueled me today, made me want to fight, to not let him win.”
She pressed a kiss to his lips, and more tears spilled down his face. God, this woman...
He crushed her to his chest and held her tightly, memorizing her scent, the feel of her in his arms. He never wanted this moment to end.
“I love you so damn much,” he whispered, dropping his face into her neck. “So much.”
“I love you, too.”
With a sniff, he pulled away and took a deep breath in, wrangling in his emotions. “You’re going to have to bear with me though. I’m not sure I can let you out of my sight for a while.” He shrugged and gave her a lopsided grin. “I’m basically going to be your shadow.”
She smiled and pressed another soft kiss to his lips. “That’s fine.” Then her eyes narrowed. “Wait. How long are we talking?”
“Forever, baby. You’re stuck with me forever.”
She laughed. “We’re going to compromise on the shadow part.”
“And the forever part?” He held his breath.
Her expression softened, and his heart expanded. “You’ve got yourself a deal on the forever part.” The smile she gave him was blinding. “Now shut up and kiss me.”
A grin split his face. “Yes, ma’am.”
He was more than happy to do her bidding. Forever.
EPILOGUE
