Page 56 of Unplanned Target

That last part sticks with me. Because for the first time since moving out on my own, I’m on my way home too. Not to a physical structure, or a specific location. But to what has always constituted home for me. People I care about. People who care about me. People I want to take care of and people who take care of me back.

I know technically I saved Miranda and Allie’s lives. But that’s something I would have done for anyone. What they’ve done for me? That’s what’s genuinely special. They’ve given me a reason to look at my future differently. They’ve given me the sort of companionship I don’t have with my friends or coworkers. I am technically part of the team here at Alaskan Security, but that’s different from the team Miranda, Allie, and I are forming.

I hope we’re forming it, at least. I’ve been away from them longer than I was there, so it’s possible Miranda has had time to reevaluate her feelings toward me. Maybe she’s discovered what was between us was based on nothing more than adrenaline and fear. That she only felt connected to me because I was what kept her safe.

The possibility is fucking terrifying.

I’m out of the car almost as fast as Maddox is when we reach campus. Without breaking stride, I grab my bag and march straight into the building, taking the path most likely to lead me to Miranda. It’s late in the evening, nearly past her bedtime, so hopefully she’s exactly where I want her to be. Curled up and cozy in my bed.

Keeping my actions as silent as I can, I quietly punch in the code and carefully turn the knob, pushing the door open.

I stop short when I see things aren’t as I hoped.

They’re actually better.

Miranda is coming out of the bathroom, her wavy dark hair damp from a shower. One of my long-sleeved T-shirts is cuffed at her wrists, the hem brushing against her thighs. Knowing she now has pajamas of her own, yet still chose to sleep in something of mine, soothes the uncertainty our time apart tried to create.

It also sends every plan I had to hold her close while she slept flying out the fucking window. Now all I want to do is give her a reason to sleep well. I want to show her how good it can be between us. I want to remind her I can please her.

And I’d like to do it for more than thirty seconds this time.

“You’re back.” Her words are soft. Breathy. “I was starting to get worried.”

I’m not happy to have worried her, but that doesn’t mean her admission doesn’t please some deep, dark, needy part of me.

“I missed you.” I match her admission with one of my own. “I didn’t like being away from you and Allie.”

I worried as much about her daughter as I did Miranda. Not in the same way of course, but I know this is a big change for a sixteen-year-old to face. And big changes can lead to big feelings. And big feelings might result in Allie doing something dangerous again. I was terrified that would happen when I couldn’t be there to stop it.

“Allie’s been fine.” Miranda gives me a little smile. “Trying to stay on top of her schoolwork and annoying the shit out of Heidi.”

That’s actually a brilliant thing. Heidi is probably the best person for Allie to get close with. Especially since our hacker had a habit of putting herself in dangerous situations when she was the same age Allie is now.

“What about you? What have you been doing?” I drop my bag to the floor, moving toward her, my hands itching to touch her skin.

“Boring things. Trying to make the most of my downtime by reworking some of my processes and onboarding systems.” Miranda reaches for me when I get close, her fingers hooking into my belt loops. “But mostly I just waited for you to come back.”

I rest both hands on her hips, fighting my own urges. “I guess it’s good to have a hobby.”

Her laugh is light and easy. “I’m not sure it’s something I want to do all the time.” Her eyes move over my face. “But I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”

I’ve always known that would be the most difficult part of finding someone to be with. They would have to be accepting of what I do for a living. They have to be independent enough to be okay on their own. Understanding enough to get that when I’m sent away, I have to go.

And Miranda checks every one of those boxes.

“I shouldn’t have to go again for a little while.” I skate my hands up her sides, teasing past her ribs. “So you should have me all to yourself for the next few weeks.”

“That doesn’t sound too bad.” Miranda inches closer, her palms flattening over my stomach. “Did everything go okay?”

“Everything went exactly the way I thought it would.” I want to tell her more, but knowing exactly what I did while I was gone might change how she sees me. I don’t want to give her any reason to think I’m not who I’ve shown her I am.

Miranda’s dark eyes move over my face. “Did you get to kill any bad guys?”

So much for not having to tell her more.

I take a deep breath. “Yeah. I killed some bad guys.”

A smile blooms across her face. “Good.” Her hands slide up my chest, the heat of her touch smoothing over my pecs and up to my shoulders. “Hopefully someday you’ll get to kill the men who tried to take Allie.”