“There, there,” Jack said in attempts to comfort her. “You will never see those men again.”
She pulled back, looking at his face. She shook her head. “It’s not that at all.”
Jack’s brows knitted. “Then what is it?”
“I’ve only been worried that you might not forgive me.”
Forgive her? Jack’s mind raced at the suggestion, combing over the entirety of their interactions for the past hour. “For leaving the loft? I’m beginning to get used to your obstinance.”
She shook her head. “For saying anything other than the truth.” She inhaled, tracing his facial features with a finger. “I told you I would not wager my badge for a whim. I was scared, and I didn’t think you could care for me…” Her finger stopped at his mouth.
The edges of his lips tugged. “You mean to tell me you aren’t upset about Brooks and the happenings tonight?”
Delilah’s eyes widened. “That was exciting, to be sure, but no. How could I worry when we are both unharmed and well?”
Jack laughed in disbelief.
Her eyes narrowed. “Of course I don’t like the man, but I think I did quite well in putting him in his place. First with my jabs and then with the book. I do believe I could have taught that man a thing or two more. We—”
Jack quieted her with a single peck to the lips. He drew back and shook his head. “I won’t let you run your mouth when there’s more important things to be discussed.”
Amusement gleamed in both her eyes. “Such as?”
Jack grinned. “An urgent whim.”
Delilah gasped, but she leaned in closer. “You wouldn’t dare try to kiss me again.”
“Oh, you don’t think?” Jack said, before pulling her into an emphatic and fervent kiss.
She did not protest in the least, and her mouth moved in tandem with his in perfect harmony.
Jack allowed the entirety of his feelings to play across his lips—in a way his words never would have been able to convey. He moved his mouth down her cheeks and to her chin and back to her lips. He adored her, in every way, and he needed to make sure she understood. For her part, Delilah returned each kiss with greater tenderness, reassuring Jack of her affection in return.
A flame flared across his chest, and he reluctantly pulled away. “Now that we’ve settled that, shall we collect the men on our porch and take them to town?”
She put her hands to her hips. “As soon as you give me my badge.”
Laughter found him again, and he kissed her stubborn lips once more. He would never tire of her feisty stubbornness. “Tell you what—I’ll give you that badge in exchange for your promise. Be my wife in earnest?”
Her eyes widened, and her mouth parted in surprise. “Do you mean that?”
A lump formed in his throat, and he set his hand against her cheek once more. “I’ve never been more serious.”
She considered his offer for a long moment before meeting his lips with another kiss—this time nearly stealing his breath with her intensity. When she had finished, she stood, leaving Jack in a foolish mess on the floor.
“Well, husband, let’s finish this.”
Jack followed after her. What had he gotten himself into now? He had a feeling like Samson of old, Delilah had found out his weakness—her kisses.
Delilah flattened the newspaper over her lap and scanned the columns. Her brows lowered in disappointment.
“It takes longer than three days to make the paper,” Jack said, nudging her side.
Word of the capture of Gunner Brooks and his gang would travel quickly—news article or not. Delilah only wished to see her name associated with the matter. She had imagined the prospect already, and she knew she would be sorely tempted to send a copy to her brothers and father.
Jack folded his arms and considered her. “You’re wanting to send the copy to your father, aren’t you? Or is it your brothers?”
She shrugged.
“Why? I’ve told you already. You’ve got nothing to prove to them or to me. You make an excellent agent and partner…and dare I say—wife?”
Delilah smiled. “You’re right. I don’t have anything to prove. But maybe they aren’t so bad.”
Jack’s mouth drew up in question. “You father and brothers?”
“Yes.” She leaned her head against the backrest and blew out a puff of air. “I thought they were terrible and unfeeling, but now that I’ve met a truly terrible and unfeeling man, my family doesn’t seem so…”
“Horrific?”
She laughed. “Exactly so. Besides, if it weren’t for their constant pestering and rowdiness, I might never have been so suited for the agency.”
“Mmm. That would have been a real shame.” Jack winked.
Delilah swatted his chest, though she rather enjoyed his flirtations. “I am still a better shot than you, Mr. Davis.”
“Better shot?” Jack frowned. “We’re going to have to settle that matter before the next case.”
“Undoubtedly.”
Jack placed his arms around her shoulders, pulling her to his chest. “Would it bother you terribly if I surrender now?”
Delilah gasped. “Surrender? I’ve never taken you as the surrendering type of man.”
Jack laughed. “I’ve learned a few things on this case, least of which is to never challenge you…you have more weapons that I’d care to admit, and I rather like this hat. Shooting it would be a shame.”
Her lips lifted into a smile. “Now those are the words of a wise man.”
“A wise man indeed,” Jack said, leaning down to kiss her.
Delilah found herself surrendering to his touch. For the first time in her life, Delilah found she quite liked this type of helplessness, for with Jack—there was safety and warmth, and inexplicable happiness.
The End
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An Agent for Delilah Page 10
