Page 25 of Found By the Surly Ranger

I scoop my girl into my arms, pulling her inside. "I'm sorry," she starts, but I instantly cut her off with a slow kiss. From the way her body melts into mine, I can tell that she doesn't blame me for what happened. Still, I need to say it. If I'm going to keep this incredible woman in my life, I need to start expressing myself a lot more.

"Baby, I have only been utterly terrified twice in my life: when I was four, and a huge coyote walked right through our backyard, grabbed my stuffed owl, and took off with it. And today, when I thought you might be out in the forest, hurt and alone."

Kara frowns. "And in the end, you're the one that got hurt."

I wave my hand dismissively. "It's nothing, other than an excuse for a little teasing from my brother."

She smiles sweetly. "I can't believe you called in all those people to help. No one's ever done anything like that for me before."

"I'm just sorry I didn't protect you better," I murmur, kissing across her forehead. "I should've kept you right beside me. Kept you safe so you had no reason to panic. I can't stand the thought of you out there in the woods alone."

"It's all my fault." Her head shakes against me. "I've been so high strung for the past little while that I just freaked out and ran. But I'm sorry… I should have run to you."

She relaxes more as I chuckle, keeping my arms around her. "It sounds like we both need to reprogram some old thought patterns."

"No kidding." Her chin sets with determination as her lovely eyes meet mine. "For example, from now on I'm only going to take jobs with quality people, and thoroughly check their references."

My palm slips down to circle her lower back. "Baby, what if you didn't need a job at all? I have plenty of money. Plenty of space. What if you came and lived with me?" I love the way her eyes light up. "You could get a new programmer and work on your app, or do anything else you wanted. But you wouldn't have to worry about bills."

"I've never cared about money beyond having enough to survive," she says softly. "And I'd love to live here with you." Her eyelashes flutter as she looks up at me. "I just can't believe you're asking so quickly."

Giving her a big squeeze, Kara laughs when I hold her too tightly, squishing her a bit. "Yeah, it's too fast. Who cares? I know it's right. Don't you?"

Her chin tips up and down. "Absolutely."

Then her face falls, her bottom lip trembling. "But what are we going to do about Brad?"

I grin. "Oh, he's taken care of. He's probably still handcuffed in the…well, it's the closest thing to a jail cell we have in town. He'll be dealing with my family's lawyers for a good long time, especially once we forward them all those threatening emails he sent you. And when they let him out, I guarantee he won't bother you again." I can't stifle my smirk. "I put the fear of God into him. I honestly think he may have pissed himself a little when Riggs was holding him by the throat, and I was growling in his face."

Her mouth falls open. "What?"

"Don't worry about it, baby. It's over. It'll all be dealt with over the next few days."

She squeezes her hands around my waist and back. "Thank you, Jace. Thank you so, so much."

My head dips for another quick kiss. "Anything for my girl." I glance at her quizzically. "You are my girl, right?"

Her smile is pure joy. "Yes. If you'd like me to be."

Her breathtaking blue eyes meet mine as I finally utter the words I've been holding back for so long. "Of course I would. I love you, Kara."

It takes her a second to find her breath. Then she whispers, "I love you, too."

It feels like my cheeks are going to split, my smile is so wide. "Good. Done." I step back and nod firmly. "Now, I don't like that you were outside for so long in just that little sweater. Would you like to take a shower? It'll warm you right up."

"Yeah. Except you can't get your hand wet."

"Says who?"

That luscious bottom lip puffs out as her hands land high on her hips. "The Queen of Showers."

"Showers too? Wow. Okay, sure."

We go into the bedroom, and I'm impressed by the way she strips her clothes off quickly this time, with only a touch of shyness when she glances back to catch my hungry stare. I follow right behind her as she adjusts the water in the shower, and gets in first. Draping my bandaged hand over the curtain rod, I manage to keep it dry while scrubbing her perfect breasts one-handed.

Kara cuddles against me in the warm spray. "You really want me to live here with you?"

"Yes. Immediately, if that works for you."

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