He had his cop face on, and his fingers under her chin kept her from hiding her face against his chest.

Where had all her courage gone? “I…I did some thinking about stuff.”

His lips twitched. “Stuff, huh?”

When she pulled in a shuddering breath, any trace of laughter died in his face. Putting that compelling sexuality of his away, he slid his hands down to grip her waist. “Did you come to any conclusions?”

“Oh, you jerk. Is it any wonder I love you?” she muttered.

Light filled his eyes, and he pulled her back into his arms. “You do, huh?”

When he brushed his cheek over hers, the slight rasp of stubble was as heady as champagne. “Can I have it in the proper form, a real sentence and all that?”

“You’re such a rule-bound, law enforcement person. Will I get a ticket if I don’t say it properly?” She couldn’t keep her lips from turning up.

“No.” His nip on the edge of her jaw sent tingles quaking through her. “If needed, I’ll interrogate you.”

His teeth nibbled on her ear lobe. “As long as needed. Maybe all night long.”

Oh…my.

“Tell me, Audrey.” His whisper in her ear was husky and deep.

Courage. “I love you, Gabe MacNair.” Her knees started to buckle.

His arms tightened, and he held her firmly against his solid body. “That’s a good start.”

His long exhalation said he’d been worried.

Worried if she loved him? Arms around him, she burrowed closer.

“What about Chicago, sweetheart?”

“If…if it’s all right, I’d like to stay.” She had just enough courage to lift her head and watch his face. If he looked unhappy or displeased, she’d…she’d just die.

Instead, he grinned.

Grinned.

“Fucking-A and yes, it’s all right.” He squeezed her so hard her ribs complained. His mouth came down on hers.

As he lifted her to carry her up the stairs, her head spun. “What are you doing?”

“I think it’s an old tradition—celebrating.”

“People eat when they celebrate.”

“I can do that. In fact, I will do that. Yeah, before I’m through, the only word you’ll be able to say will be please.”

His merciless grip and his dark, sexy promise sent heat combusting through every cell in her body.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

In the screened gazebo, Audrey wiggled, trying to get comfortable in the Adirondack loveseat. Really, the slatted wood chair was nice. She just couldn’t settle. Because of what was to come.

A door shutting caught her attention. Caz was coming out of his cabin. All five log houses had the same architecture with decks and tall windows facing the lake and compound. But each cabin held unique touches. Gabe’s shutters and trim were a gray-blue. In contrast, Mako’s were a solid black. That sure fit what she’d heard of the sergeant.