Page 12 of One Night Redemption

It is. But if I have to fight for it, is it even meant to be? But I’m not ready to walk away. Giving that up is the last thing I want. I’m greedy for it—for him and the way he makes me feel. Nothing ventured, nothing gained and all that bullshit. “If you break my heart, Cam, I’m gonna take it out of your hide. Do you hear me?”

His lips curve slightly, just a hint of a smile. But it’s what I see in his eyes that hits like a sucker punch. Relief. Hope. That’s not just for show. Whatever happens between us, Cam’s heart is in the right place. His intentions are good. Now, I just have to see if he can make it stick.

“So are you coming to my place, or am I staying here? Or are you kicking me to the curb for the night?”

I look around my little house. It’s only ever been for me. Everything in it is girly and frilly. I took that Victorian cottage theme and ran with it like I was in a damn marathon. He always looks out of place here—but not in a bad way. But that sharp contrast only highlights so many of the things that make me love him. And I do love him. God help me, I always have. And that’s not going to change. Whether I try to guard my heart by ducking and running or whether he decides he’s done playing house with me and runs like the devil, the end result will be the same. I’ll be alone in this house without him.

“No. I like having you here,” I finally answer. “I like seeing you in this space.”

“Because I look like a bull in a China shop?”

I laugh at that. “No. Because … there aren’t any men in my life. No father. No relatives, really. It was my mom and whatever boyfriend she had of the week or my Mamaw. And Mamaw didn’t have the time or patience to tolerate a triflin’ man. Being in your house is fine, but I feel like a guest there. And that makes it feel like this is temporary. You being here … being in my space, that makes it feel more solid. And I know that’s stupid.”

He walks toward me, and when he gets close, he lifts his hands to my face, cupping my cheeks. “It’s not stupid. And I get it. You’re not the only one who’s scared. You’re not the only one who feels just how big and how important this is.”

When he leans in to kiss me, it’s not like anything else that’s passed between us. Oh, it’s hot as hell, and the man’s mad skills are prominently on display. But there’s a tenderness in it that takes my breath away. And sore or not, I want him. I want him to make me forget all the fear and doubt. So I break the kiss and take one of his hands in mine. “Come with me.”

“Where to?”

“Bed.”

“Anytime, Cass. Any damn time.”

Chapter

Ten

Cam

Fuck my life. This shift has been a shit show from the moment I let dispatch know I was available to take calls. I'm rolling up to Bellehaven Memorial, Troy flanking me in his SUV. When I get out, he's already standing there, shaking his head, thumbs tucked in the straps of his bulletproof vest.

"What the fuck is even happening tonight?" he questions, as I come around the front of mine department vehicle.

"Full moon, but I haven't seen anything like this in years. Donita was screaming that she was going to murder Virgil, and he was yelling that he was gonna jerk a knot in her ass. The next thing I knew she'd broken away from me, and had launched herself at him. I lunged for her and all I felt was the fabric of her T-shirt going through my fingers." I recount what happened less than an hour ago.

Troy scoffs, chuckling slightly. "She is fuckin' spry for sixty, man. I tell you. She ran from me last time, and damned if she didn't almost get away. I feel you."

"I'm never going to hear the end of this shit. It was all over the radio. The text messages I've gotten are downright embarrassing. Chief Wellington told me to head over here and make sure they haven't harmed one another. They put them in the same ambulance." I wince. "But apparently it's the only one they had available because of all the shit happening in the county right now."

"Goddamn." He blows out a breath. "Okay, let's go in and see what needs to be done before we take them in."

"They're gonna hate that too," I complain. "They relish calling the po-lice on each other, but when it comes down to either one or both getting arrested, they become a twisted, toxic united front that no one understands. Blows my mind."

He looks back at me as we walk through the automatic doors leading to the ER. "I know, I'm not looking forward to this. The only saving grace is gonna be that Cass is here."

"Maybe she can get us that good pudding they have. I don't know what they put in it, but it is the best pudding I've ever had." Troy rubs at his stomach. "I'm starving, I haven't even had time to take a break tonight."

"Oh, join the fucking club. It's not like you're special. We're all running on energy drinks and protein bars."

He flips me the bird as we approach the registration desk.

I step in front of him. "Hey, Hailey. We're here to see Donita and Virgil Womack. They were brought in by ambulance recently. They should've had security requested, but I do realize tonight's a little bananas," I say as I scan the waiting room. Every single chair is filled, and there are some sitting on the floor, slumped against the walls.

"Deputy, you have no idea. Flu is rampant tonight, so you might wanna mask up if you haven't had your flu shot." She dangles two masks on her fingers, looking pointedly at Troy and me.

I've had my flu shot, but I am one-thousand percent a germaphobe who hates being sick. "Shit," I mumble under my breath, before putting the mask on. "You got any hand sanitizer back there?"

Troy chuckles. "If you've got enough for him to take a shower with, he'll take it."

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