Page 202 of Beyond the Badge: Nox

She took it from his fingers with her mouth, savoring the salty crunch. “What about your sled?”

“I’ll worry about that tomorrow.”

“Nox…”

“You’re more important to me than any fucking bike, Liyah. Eat, then we can talk.”

They remained quiet as she did so. She could only manage half of the burger, so he finished off the rest.

Once he did, he gathered up the trash, tossed it out, then got undressed and slipped back into bed with her, immediately pulling her into his arms.

She curled around him, placing her cheek on his bare chest. Listening to his strong, steady heartbeat. Basking in the warmth he emitted. Feeling secure and content enveloped in his arms.

“It could’ve turned out so much worse,” she whispered.

“Yeah,” came out on a breath.

“Someone was looking out for me.”

“His name is Magnum.” His fingers strummed soothingly along her arm. After a few more heartbeats, his low voice rumbled against her cheek. “I’ve decided to move out of The Plant and find somewhere safer to live.”

He was going to do what? “You don’t have to do that.”

An idea popped into her head.

Should she mention it?

She didn’t want to freak him out.

Screw it.“You could move in here.”

His brow wrinkled and his fingers stilled as he echoed, “You don’t have to do that.”

“Of course I don’t.”

“Liyah…”

“I’m throwing it out there as an option, but don’t feel pressured.”

“Moving in with you is a huge step.”

She couldn’t get a good read on the idea in either his expression or his tone. “You’re right, it is. And I’ll understand if you’re not ready.” She wanted to give him an out without feeling guilty.

He tucked a finger under her chin and tipped her face up. “Are you?”

She shrugged one shoulder. “Tonight made me realize that life is too damn short to waste time. You need to make the most out of every day.”

One eyebrow rose. “You only realized that tonight?”

“No, it whacked me right in the forehead when Mark died. As I’m sure it did for you when you lost Jackie, but tonight was a rude reminder.”

“It was. For both of us.”

“Think about it. No pressure. No rush. The offer will still be on the table tomorrow, a week from now, or even months from now.”

“Months? Do you think we’ll last that long?”

She lifted her head and watched him carefully. “Don’t you?”

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