Page 31 of Ranger Bravery

When the embrace ended, she was breathless. Jackson rested his forehead against hers. His hands cupped the sides of her face, her pulse pounding against his thumbs. “I was terrified when that bomb went off. I thought…”

“Me too.” Worry seeped into the warmth his kisses had left. Piper pulled back slightly. “But we can’t simply pick up where we left off.”

“I don’t expect us to, but I would like for us to finally be honest with each other.” He touched her cheek. “Why, sweetheart? Why did you leave without talking to me first?”

Fear gripped her. It stiffened her muscles and iced her blood, washing away any warmth from his touch. Piper pulled back more. She touched her slightly swollen lips. What had she just done?

She rose from the piano bench. Distance. She needed distance from him. Blindly, she faced the window overlooking the backyard. Darkness stretched beyond the gleam of the porch light. Trees rippled in the wind, and farther away, lightning flashed. A storm was brewing. It matched the whipping emotions whirling through her.

She’d left to protect him. Jackson deserved so much better than her. It was true before the attack, but after… it was undeniable. Her PTSD was overwhelming. No one could touch her. She wanted to cry and hide under the covers. It took every ounce of will to keep drawing in a breath.

She’d been weak. Broken. And she’d hated it.

Piper was better now, but she was also changed. The attack taught her to be cautious about reaching too high. Despite her childhood, she’d studied hard and gotten into college. Fallen in love with Jackson. Just as she thought her life was finally going in the right direction…

It’d all come crashing down.

God loved her. Piper knew that with every ounce of her being, but she also understood that trouble followed her. She was damaged. It wasn’t fair to drag Jackson into that mess. They weren’t meant to be, no matter how much she wished otherwise.

“We were young, Jackson. There were so many differences between us. What more can I say?”

The words were hollow in the aftermath of that passionate kiss, but she couldn’t tell him the truth. Jackson was honorable and brave and beyond loyal. He’d argue with her reasons, but it wouldn’t change the underlying truth.

Silence stretched out. Piper felt rather than heard Jackson come up behind her. She didn’t dare look at him.

“Yes, we were young, but we also loved each other.” He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Being apart made it easy to believe that what existed between us was fleeting. Just a summer romance that ended abruptly. Until I saw you again. Until that kiss.”

She closed her eyes, wanting to shut out his words. “We shouldn’t have?—”

“Don’t. Please don’t tell me you regret it because I know it’s not true.”

No, she didn’t regret it. How could she? It was a stolen moment that she’d carry with her for the rest of her life. Piper swallowed hard. “It wasn’t smart.”

She whirled away from the window, seeking distance once again. Piper couldn’t think with him near. “We’re working together to find a killer. This case is complicated. Letting our stuff impede the investigation is a disservice to Elena.”

“Neither of us would ever do that, and you know it.” His jaw tightened as he reached for her. “Don’t push me away, Piper. I deserve better than that.”

He did, but she didn’t know how to move beyond her fear and limitations.

Piper’s cell phone rang, interrupting their conversation. She sucked in a breath and pulled the device from her back pocket. It was Derek. Shock quickly followed by a bolt of worry. She answered. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s another victim.”

SEVENTEEN

Jackson’s headlights cut through the darkness. Rain battered against his windshield. Thick woods lined either side of the lonely, two-lane country road. In the passenger seat beside him, Piper was pale. Her mouth firmed into a hard line, and one hand gripped the door handle. They hadn’t said a word since getting in the SUV. By unspoken agreement, they’d put their personal conversation aside to focus on the horrible task ahead.

He was hurt though. The kiss they’d shared… it was like Jackson had been wearing foggy glasses, and in an instant, he could suddenly see clearly. What existed between them wasn’t a faded teenage love or a figment of their imaginations. It was real. Deep. Powerful. It was a bond that couldn’t be explained rationally.

On one hand, it was a relief. Jackson could finally understand why he hadn’t been able to forget her. Or move on. He’d tried. Dated some wonderful women with amazing qualities, but somewhere in the back of his mind, Piper lingered like a ghost he’d never been able to get rid of. So, yes, it was a relief to realize he wasn’t a commitment-phobe. Those woman, as great as they were, weren’t right for him.

Unfortunately, Piper’s reaction left him frustrated. Worse, Jackson felt alone. Alone in his feelings and alone in his desire to make their relationship work. Once again, she’d rejected and distanced herself from him. Jackson knew she cared about him. For a long time after she’d left, he’d questioned that, but after the kiss they’d shared, there was no doubt.

Nothing made sense. How could she ice him out so easily? Maybe Piper cared, but not to the same degree as he did. Or maybe it was just easier for her to shut down because of her childhood. Either way, the result was the same. Jackson was left struggling and uncertain. Emotions he abhorred.

God, I’m lost. I don’t know what to do.

Even now, Jackson wanted to reach across the distance between them and take her hand. Comfort her. Piper was distressed, and the tension pouring from her was nearly palpable. But he didn’t give in to the urge. In times of distress, she’d resisted any compassion.

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