Claiming Sarah (Ace Security #5)(40)

“Why are you so good to me?” she murmured. “I’m a mess. I’m an adult, and it’s been years since Jackson and Mike were killed. Why is the thought of selling bothering me so much?”

“It’s normal,” Cole said. “You’re about to make a big change, and up until now, you haven’t had to face losing the only home you’ve ever known. Cut yourself some slack.”

“You’re right.”

“I know.”

Sarah laughed softly. “I hate that I gave away his favorite books,” she said sadly.

“Tell me what they were, and I’ll replace them. We can read them together and discuss them.”

“Cole . . . that’s . . . I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever offered to do for me.”

“I keep telling you that I’m not the nice one in this relationship,” he teased.

“Whatever.”

“Angel, it’s late. You have to get up in less than four hours. Go to bed. The boxes will be there later. In fact, how about I come up and help you? You’ve got one more day of work, then you’re off for a few days, right?”

“Yeah.”

“Right. So I’ll come over the day after tomorrow, and we can spend the day together. I’ll help you pack up some more stuff, and we’ll haul it to Goodwill. Then we can come back to Castle Rock, and you can fill out the background-check form for the apartment. You can’t move in until that’s done. Logan’s also been bugging me about getting you back to Ace Security so they can discuss with you what they’ve found out about Owen. Then maybe we can finally have that third date I’ve been looking forward to more than you’ll ever know.”

There was a lot there, but the only thing Sarah could really think about was spending the day with Cole and maybe, hopefully, finally being able to see if the reality lived up to her fantasies when it came to kissing him.

Putting the stack of books she’d been staring at to the side, she stood up, wincing at how badly her back hurt. She’d been working longer than she’d realized.

“Okay.”

“Okay? That’s it?”

“I’m not sure you’re ready for what I’m really thinking,” she blurted.

“Try me,” Cole urged.

If she hadn’t been as tired as she was, Sarah knew she probably would’ve declined and simply said good night. But she was exhausted. And worried. And so sad after going through her dads’ stuff. So she said exactly what she was thinking.

“I’m worried that I haven’t received anything from Owen in a week, and I don’t know what he’s planning. I’m stressed out about selling the house and all the stuff I have to do in order to get it ready. I’m excited about the new apartment, but I still can’t shake the feeling that I’m stealing it from someone else who might need it more.

“And last, but not least, I miss you. I know we’ve talked and texted every day since last week, when we last saw each other, but it’s not the same. It’s crazy because we haven’t known each other that long, but you’re the first person I think about when I wake up and the last person at night. I’m frustrated that our schedules haven’t meshed, and I’m nervous that you’re gonna decide going out with me is too much hassle. Between my weird work schedule, the fact that I don’t live in the same town as you, and with the weirdness with Owen, I’m not exactly the best girlfriend material.”

Sarah was almost panting by the time she finished, and she immediately wanted to take back everything she’d just said, but it was too late.

“If it wasn’t quarter to one in the morning, and you didn’t have to get up in three and a half hours, I’d be on my way to you right now,” Cole said in a deep tone. “Sarah, I’m one hundred percent committed to this relationship. Yeah, it hasn’t been typical, but if we feel the way we do without being able to see each other much, what do you think it’ll be like when we do? You fascinate me. I love the loyalty you have to your job. The fact that you’re reluctant to give up the only home you’ve ever known is not a negative in my eyes. But I also want to help you make a new home. One where we can make new memories. I’ll do everything in my power to make sure Jackson and Mike are never forgotten.

“Owen will eventually get a clue and leave you alone, even if it takes Ace Security getting up in his face to make him realize his infatuation with you is futile. And you’re overlooking the fact that I’m not exactly the best boyfriend material either. Some people judge me because of my tattoos, and I don’t give a shit. I’m too abrupt and downright rude sometimes. I work too much and too hard, and my best friend is a woman.

“But together, you and me just make sense. You’re the light, and I’m the darkness. You’re everything good, and I’m walking the fine line of being an asshole all the time. We balance each other out. I can’t wait to see where our relationship goes . . . and you should know, angel, that I’m hoping it goes all the way.”

Sarah inhaled at that.

Cole obviously heard her, because he said, “Yeah. That should tell you that I’m in this just as deep as you are. One more day, and we’ll get to spend some time together.”

“I can’t wait.”

“Me either. Now go upstairs and get some sleep, angel. You’re gonna be dead on your feet tomorrow.”