Page 210 of Falling for the Grumpiest Protector

His eyes meet mine. Something warm moves through them. Then his hands settle at my waist.

"You came back."

Three words. Quiet. Almost careful. I know what they mean to him. I know what they mean to me.

"I did."

His thumb brushes my side.

"Can you stay for dinner?"

I look at him, at the man standing in the warm greenhouse with dirt on his jeans and hope he isn't quite letting himself believe in yet.

"I'd like that."

Something in his face eases.

"Good."

I glance pointedly at his chest.

"But you might want to shower first."

He looks down at himself.

"Probably."

I laugh. He kisses me once more, then retrieves his shirt and jacket. Once he's dressed for the cold, he takes my hand and leads me to his truck, parked a short distance from the greenhouse. Atlas climbs into the back seat. Javier opens the passenger door for me, then gets in beside me and drives us down the lane to the cottage.

Chapter Thirty

Javier

By the time we reach the cottage, I'm still not convinced Maddy is actually here. She stands beside me while I unlock the door, our hands linked between us. I look at her.

"You're really here."

Her smile softens.

"I'm really here."

I kiss her. Just once. Otherwise, we may never make it inside.

The moment the door closes behind us, Maddy looks pointedly at my dirt-streaked shirt. "Shower."

I glance down. “Right.”

“Unless you plan to cook like that.”

“I thought you were cooking.”

“You invited me to dinner.”

“I did.”

“Without a shirt, might I add.”

“I was already shirtless.”