Page 36 of When It Rains He Pours

She didn't resist, she didn't try to pull away. Glory allowed herself to fall into my arms, her head dropping back, eyes settling on mine.

“And I know I'll never be able to forget you.” Swooping my hands around her cheeks, I kissed her.

I kissed her because that was all I really wanted to do. I kissed her because it was the only thing that felt right in my life. I kissed her because we felt so perfect together.

Her lips were tempered, parting slowly as she gave in, accepting the feelings between us.

It was strange to know something without ever speaking the words. To know that two things fit so perfectly together when they have nothing in the past to connect them.

We were strangers, but in my mind, in my heart and soul, she was the missing link to who I was.

Pulling away slowly, Glory lifted her fingers to her lips and touched them gently. “So, dinner you said?”

“Yeah, dinner.” Thumbing her jaw, I smiled. “If you'll say yes.”

Her lips turned up and I caught a glint in her eye. “Alright, dinner sounds good.”

“That's not a yes,” I said as my lids hooded. Pinching her chin between two fingers, I tipped her head higher. “Say it, say yes.”

“Yes.” Her whisper carried through the air like a tender song, one I had waited years to hear and never knew it existed until right then.

Smirking, I placed a kiss on her cheek. “Let me walk you home.” Slipping my hand down over her neck, I stroked her arm and braided our fingers together. “It really does look good in there.”

“Thanks, I'm happy all that shit is gone. It's finally starting to feel like mine again.”

“So does this mean you're not changing the name to Glory Hole on the sign?”

Giggling, she smacked my chest. “Not a chance in hell.”

“Hey,” I barked, rubbing where she had hit me. “I need to tell you something.”

“Okay, what is it?”

“I talked to my friend in the police department, but I don't have good news for you.”

“Why? What did he say?”

“He did some poking around, made a few calls, but came up empty. He said that right now it's a dead end, there's not much he can do. Without a name or description of the guy and no other witnesses that we know of, all he can do is file a report for you.”

Scrunching up her lips, her face sunk in as she frowned. “Well, that sucks.”

“Look, I don't want you to worry about it. I have a guy coming down tomorrow to replace your door with a better one and some new locks. I'm also getting you a security system, this way I'll know you'll be safe.”

“Liam, no, I can't accept that.” Glory stopped short, her fingers trying to separate from mine, but I refused to let go. Squeezing tighter, she turned and grabbed my other hand. “I appreciate that, I really do, but I can't accept that from you.”

Shaking my head, I grumbled. “You really are stubborn, aren't you?” We stood in the center of the sidewalk, the world around us unimportant as far as I was concerned. People walked around us, splitting off on either side. “It's a gift, Glory, just take it. It's not out of pity, it's not some sort of buyout to make you like me. It's just a gift.”

“I just can't—”

Cutting her off, I released one of her hands and started walking again, pulling her along. “You can, and you will. He'll be there around ten tomorrow, it's already done.”

Glory frowned, her eyes turning into thin slits. “Who's calling who stubborn? I think that's the pot calling the kettle black.”

Grinning, I let out a laugh. “Yeah, well, I guess I win.”

Glory smiled the prettiest of smiles, as she nodded. “Fine, you win.”

We walked hand in hand, talking about old memories of the town from when we were kids. She told me how her parents had decided on Vienna after they came on a vacation and her father fell in love with the place.

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