Page 84 of Guarded Hearts

“Of course. Tell me when you’re ready.”

“Now.”

He nodded, then sat up, pulling her up with him. As if galvanized by an order, he set off across the room to grab his boots. “Do we take Faye with us?”

“Not yet. I’ll go first and see how I feel about things.”

“Meaning you don’t know whether or not you want to stay there.”

Biting down on her bottom lip, she nodded. Then she moved to him, placing her palms on his sculpted chest. Beneath her fingertips, she felt the steady thump of his heart.

“And I want to read the rest of your letters.”

His mouth tightened.

“Whatever I read, it won’t change my mind about you. About us. You know that, right?”

He wrapped his arms around her and drew her flush against him. Dipping his head, he claimed her mouth. The brush of his lips across hers drew a moan from her throat. She leaned into him, taking, giving, tongue swirling in a dance of pent-up passion.

When he flipped his tongue over hers, making the kiss slow, thorough, her heart hitched in a new rhythm. She loved this man with everything inside her. She always had. And always would.

As she withdrew, she searched his eyes. “I’m ready when you are.”

He walked his fingers down her arm to clasp her hand. “Let’s go.”

During the short drive to her family ranch, neither one of them spoke. Their entwined fingers seemed to be all the language they needed. As long as they were touching, no communication was necessary.

As they rolled through the gates marked by stacked stone columns bearing the family crest on each, she stared at the car in the driveway.

Carson withdrew his hand from hers and went for his weapon.

Clutching his arm, she stayed him before he could pull it away from the spot where he tucked it against his spine. “It could be my father.”

He shot her a glance. “A rental car?”

She nodded.

“I’m going to run the plate before we go any closer.”

He took out his phone and punched in the license plate number. After seconds, he nodded. “It’s a rental. Stay in the car. Lock the doors. I’m going to check it out.”

After all that happened, she trusted Carson. She didn’t question his orders and did as he asked by locking the doors. She tracked his every step to the front door.

When he knocked and the door opened, she held her breath.

She couldn’t make out who answered, but Carson’s shoulders relaxed. He spoke to the person, who popped his head out.

As soon as she spotted her father’s head of silver hair, she let out a small cry. Before she could think about the changes he’d see plain on her face, she shoved open the door and jumped out.

Seeing her, he stepped onto the porch, and she briskly made her way to him. Part of her was relieved that she was here togreet him. Part of her was still ticked as hell about him blocking her from Carson.

But if the past couple weeks had taught her anything, it was that life was short. She could have died at the hands of her stalker, and things would be much different for her father and Carson.

Nearing the porch, she slowed her steps. Her father’s eyes widened as he saw her face.

“Layne! What the hell happened?” He jerked his head to the side, shooting Carson an unmistakable glare.

“Hi, Dad.” She mounted the stairs slowly, giving him time to recover.

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