“Are you sure?”
“I know one thing. I know what it means to love Phoebe Grant, to want to protect and adore her. So I know what Jamie would want. Marry me, Phoebe. Take the chance again because it’s worth it. Because we’re worth it.”
Tears flowed down her cheeks and a sob was wrenched from her chest. He’d seen her cry, but not quite like this. He held her tight because this was a storm and he would never leave her alone. He held on while she wept and couldn’t help but cry a little with her. For her and Jamie. For himself.
“I love you, Phoebe. I love you.” He told her over and over again because she’d been deprived of hearing it. If he said it enough, maybe she would believe it.
Finally, she began to quiet and her arms wrapped around him. He kissed her and then slowly undressed her. He was certain she’d dressed for a quick retreat, but now those little bits of armor were no longer needed. He smoothed the clothes off her, worshipping her body with his lips, murmuring “I love you” as though he could breathe it through her flesh and into her soul.
He eased them both back, settling on the bed. The world had long since turned to night and a sweet weariness settled over him, like he’d done a good day’s work and it was time to rest.
She settled her head on his chest. “I love you, Jesse.”
He brought the covers over them. “Will you marry me? You said yes before but that was easy because you thought I would walk away. Now you know I won’t ever leave you, not if it’s in my control. But I could die. I want whatever time I have on this earth to be spent loving you, Phoebe. So I’m going to ask you again. Will you marry me?”
“Yes. And I’ll stay with you. I’ll stay here with you and we’ll finish this together.”
Together. It was everything he wanted.
He held her close and slept.
Phoebe stepped out into the hallway, closing her robe around her. The sun wasn’t up yet, though it wouldn’t be long. Phoebe had slept for the longest time, missing dinner and whatever discussions had happened among the team. She’d woken and showered and couldn’t quite slip back into bed without trying to talk to Ten first. There was very little time before they were all supposed to be at the airfield. She’d made her decision and she prayed he understood.
“Hey.” Ten sat in the suite’s shared living area, staring down at his computer. “I was wondering if I was going to have to wake you up. My flight’s in two hours.”
“I have to talk to you about that.”
His face came up, an affectionate smile belying the weariness she saw there. “I said my flight, sis. I know you’re not going to be on it. I knew it the minute he kicked in that door. Well, and when the screams started. You could spare me those. Please.”
She felt herself blush. “Sorry.”
He gave her a wan grin. “You tell that boy he better take care of you or he’ll answer to me.”
Relief washed over her. At least she didn’t have to convince Ten. “I love him.”
Ten closed his laptop and stood up. “I’m so glad. I’m glad you found your way out.” He closed the space between them and enveloped her in one of his big, all-encompassing hugs. “I’m going to miss working with you, but I expect to be invited to all your very normal holiday celebrations. Well, normal if Taggart doesn’t show up.”
She held on to the man who’d been her brother for half her life now. When she thought about it, he’d always been her brother. They just had to find their way to each other. Family was like that sometimes. “You have to promise you’ll come and visit us often.”
He squeezed her tight. “I promise I’ll try. Hell, darlin’, I might be sleeping on your couch soon.”
Because he wasn’t certain of his job. She was scared about that too. “I think we could find you a spare bedroom.”
He kissed the top of her head and then moved away, sitting back down and crossing one leg over the other. He hadn’t changed clothes. He was still in his usual uniform. Black T-shirt, jeans, and boots. “I’m sure Murdoch would love having a roommate. I’m putting him on a clock, by the way. He’s got a year to ask you to marry him.”
“He already did.”
“Damn. That boy works fast. You say yes?”
She nodded. “I did. I know it’s quick and…”
He held out a hand. “No need to explain. Life is short, baby girl. You take every little piece of happiness you can get. I’m happy for you. Jamie would have liked Jesse.”