He pushes her hair behind her ear. “You got a lot of people, Lace.”
She lowers her eyes, overwhelmed by emotion. “Why are you so nice to me?”
He chuckles. “Because I like you.”
His words, choked by something she can’t place, have her breath stalling. “You do?”
“Yeah.” He gathers the sheet, pulling it up around them. “I do.”
She’s quiet for a long moment, staring at him from beneath darkened eyelashes.
The confession’s out before she can stop it.
“I’m glad you’re here,” she whispers. “I feel safe.”
His face goes tight at her admission, then soft. Handsome in all the right places. He smiles. “Good,” he says, his voice husky. “You deserve to feel safe.”
He reaches for her, his eyes asking, and at her small nod, Seth takes her in his arms. He pulls her close, pressing a kiss to her forehead.
Lacey tenses at the contact, untenses. She might as well enjoy it. She’s cold and he’s warm. It makes perfect sense.
Ping.
Lacey sighs, not wanting to leave Seth’s comforting hold but knowing she should get her phone. Prentiss is probably having an aneurysm, and at the thought, Lacey’s mind runs through a checklist of all the remaining things she still needs to get done.
As if reading her thoughts, Seth tightens his grip. He sweeps a finger under her chin, bringing her gaze to his. “We’ll get it all done. I promise.”
Lacey closes her eyes, fighting the urge to mentally plan for tomorrow, to try to get it all done in her head, and instead quiets her mind. Seth’s reassurances are like a salve. She trusts him.
They’ll get it done. Her and Seth.
Together.
Perfectly professional.