Page 20 of Tactical Revival

My thoughts drift to the bank account I’ve been saving money to buy my own place. I could help her. Offer to cover the cost and just stay here for a bit longer. But Margot is prideful. Would she accept my help?

And how would I even begin to offer it?

Reaching forward, I finish removing her glasses. She groans and turns into my touch, and I still, not wanting the moment to end.

How I would love to gather her into my arms and sleep right beside her.

But I can’t. She’s not for me.

I should leave her here, cover her with a blanket and go up to my apartment to take an ice-cold shower. No, colder than ice-cold. Is that a thing?

But I remember the last time she fell asleep in here she ended up with a tension headache that lasted her three days.

So, even as a voice in my head is screaming danger, I reach down and gather her into my arms. As I do, she groans and comes half awake. “Jaxson?”

“Hey, you fell asleep in your office. I’m just taking you to your apartment.”

“Oh, okay.” Half asleep, she loops an arm around my neck and lays her head against my chest. I want this. Forever. “Did you get the pie?”

I chuckle. “Not yet.”

“It’s really good.” She’s still half asleep, so her voice is a bit more gravelly than normal. What I would give to listen to her talk forever.

Carefully, I shift her enough so I can grab the keys off her desk, then make my way through the back of her office. I carefully shift her again so that I can unlock the door without waking Matty up.

Quietly closing the door with my foot, I carry her through her living room and into the back bedroom that serves as her space. I can smell her lavender shampoo the moment I step across the threshold, and desire churns in my gut.

I set Margot on top of her bed, then cover her with a blanket and start to back away. I need space. Distance. Fresh air. Because right now, being in her space, my mind is a foggy mess. I could lean down and kiss her right now, press my lips to hers for just a taste.

But that wouldn’t be what either of us needs.

“Wait.” She grips my hand, and I stop walking. I couldn’t move even if I wanted to. The feel of her slender fingers against my calloused palm is too much. Too overwhelming. “Did you see the pie?” she asks again.

“I saw the note. Thanks.”

“Yeah.” A bit more awake now, she releases me and stretches with a yawn. “There’s spaghetti too. I can heat you up some.” She starts to move the blanket, but I quickly cover her hand to stop her.

“I can do it. You get some sleep.”

Her gaze narrows on me. “Is everything okay?”

I long to ask her about the bills piling up. About letting me help shoulder some of this burden, but I’m not sure now is the best time. So, I ignore the warning bells going off in my mind and reach forward to brush the hair from her face. “It will be.”

Her lips part.

The thought of kissing her assaults me again.

I swallow hard and pull away. “Goodnight, Margot.”

“You really think this could be the same guy?” Lance asks as he swings on the heavy bag I’m holding.

“It’s possible.” I step away to grab a swig of water, and Lance does the same. “But my old partner is a great cop. If there’s a link, he’ll find it.”

“Elijah is looking into it, too. He’s trying to see if he can find any connections between our current cases and your old ones.”

“Great.” I take a seat on the edge of a stool. “If I brought trouble here?—”

“Don’t take too much credit,” Lance replies. “Trouble was always here.” He smiles at me, trying to put my mind at ease, but all it does is cement my fears. Lance is the best guy I know. The man lives his life by faith. Walking with God and trying to do everything according to His plan. He’s a brand-new dad though. What if the danger I brought here puts his family at risk?

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