Blog Tour Review: Keeping You by Aurora Rose Reynolds

Unlocking the back door, I let myself into the house with my duffle bag over my shoulder. I carefully nudge Lola back with the side of my sneaker so I can close the door in time to shut off the alarm. It’s much later than I expected to be home, but there was a shooting involving two officers in town, so it was all hands on deck to find the person responsible. It took us hours, but before I left, we had a suspect in custody and word that both officers would be okay.
Once I punch in the code to reset the alarm, I kick off my sneakers, then bend to rub the top of Lola’s head, giving her whining pups the same attention. After a couple of minutes, I head down the hall, noticing a light flickering in the living room. My gut twists when I hit the kitchen and spot Bridgett on the couch, asleep under her blanket, the TV on a local channel playing on low as a news anchor covers the shooting.
Fuck.
I should have thought to call her or send a message, but I didn’t want to worry her. Dropping my duffle on one of the stools at the island, I walk into the living room and grab the remote off the table.
“You’re home.” Her sleepy voice sounds through the dim room before I can shut off the TV, and I watch as she sits, pushing her hair back away from her pretty face.
“You should be in bed.”
“I was worried.” Her gaze wanders over me, taking me in from my hoodie to my sweats. “You changed?”
“Showered at the station.” I take off my sweatshirt, toss it onto the back of the couch, and sit next to her. She eyes me for a moment, then lunges and wraps her arms around me, burrowing her face against my neck. “I should have called.”
“You were working,” she whispers, and I close my eyes while dragging her onto my lap so I can hold her easier, not sure if it’s her or me who needs the closeness more. “Did you catch the guys?”
“We did.” I rest my lips against the side of her head. “They were hiding at a friend’s house. It took some time to track them down, but when you’ve got every officer from here to Knoxville looking for you, there aren’t many places you can lay low.”
“And the officers?”
“Both of them should be released in a couple of days.”
“Good.” She pulls her head back, then rests her hand against my cheek and smooths her thumb over my bottom lip. “You scare me.” Her gaze moves from my mouth to my eyes. “I’ve never worried about anyone but myself until you.” She lets her forehead drop to my chin.
“Baby.”
“I know that sounds horrible, but it’s true. The idea of something—” She cuts herself off and shakes her head. “I can’t handle that.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me.”
“You don’t know that. You have one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.”
“I now have a reason to make sure I make it home,” I tell her softly. Her head flies up so her gaze can search mine.
“You—”
“You’ve turned my life upside down in just a few short weeks,” I insert, then capture her face in my palms. “I wasn’t expecting this. Or you.” I shake my head. “I’ve tried telling myself that I need to keep my distance.”
“You should.”
“It’s too late.” I laugh. “Look at where you are right now, babe, and tell me that this shit doesn’t feel right.” I give her a minute to lie to me, to tell me that she doesn’t feel like she fits in my arms, in my home, in my life. But she doesn’t. She can’t deny it, just like I can’t.
Sliding my hand back into her hair, I drag her forward and brush my lips against hers. The cute little sound she makes in the back of her throat when I start to pull away and her fingers digging into my shoulders let me know she’s not ready to end the kiss.