Emily breathed in deeply, letting her eyes slide shut. "I could get lost out here," she murmured.
Dave grunted as they sat on the porch of his cabin, staring out at the trees. "Told you it was great out here."
She leaned her head against his chest and tucked herself into the side of his body. "It's beautiful," she agreed. Dave tensed beneath her, and she frowned. "You okay?"
He nodded, forcing himself to relax as he ran his hand up and down her arm. "You're not usually this tactile," he said quietly.
"We're usually at work," she countered. "Does it bother you?"
"The touching or the not touching?"
She snorted, rolling her eyes. "The touching."
Dave shook his head, moving his fingers into her hair. "I like the touching."
"I bet you do."
He grunted at that. "Smartass." He was quiet for another moment before speaking again. "I'm talking about the little touches, Emily. I'd like to have more of those."
Sitting up slightly, she looked him in the eye. "We could have that...outside of work," she clarified.
He gave her a small smile. "Outside of work," he agreed.
She snuggled against him again, and Dave felt a wave of tension ease out of his body. They may have been moving at a snail's pace, but he'd take any step forward with the woman in his arms. No matter how long it took them, he would make sure she knew that he loved her.
He just prayed she loved him back.