Page 76 of Protected Hearts

Damn the man. Working when he was just out of his death bed? She’d promised no bloodshed like their last wedding day, but how was she ever supposed to deliver on that when he was so stubborn?

She stalked out of the living room to the office. The door was shut, bringing her up short. She stared at the wood slab. From inside came the low rumble of male voices as they conducted Black Heart Security business.

Was it her imagination or did she hear the name William? Her nerves danced in her stomach, and her pulse hammered faster.

She reminded herself that William was no longer a threat to her or to anyone she cared about. He was in prison. Oaks had shown her his mugshot as a way to prove to her that she was safe, to grant her peace of mind.

Should she knock? Walk away? Oaks was a grown man. If he didn’t feel up to sitting at the conference table and working, he would take himself off to bed for a nap.

Was it silly that she wanted to interrupt just to see for herself that he was okay?

She raised a hand and rapped lightly on the door. She heard the shuffle of a chair being pushed away from the table, and a second later she was looking at Colt. For a man of few words, he was very astute. His gaze roamed over her face. In that one second, he seemed to take in the strain that was probably plain in her expression, and he stepped back.

She instantly searched out Oaks. In one fluid move, he gained his feet without so much as a wince. The man was as hard as the steel in his eyes.

“Can I see you for a minute, Oaks?”

“Of course.” He glanced at the head of the table where Carson sat and moved to the door.

As soon as the door closed, he took her hand. “You’re not okay.”

She shook her head. “I am. You’re the one who got shot!”

“I’m fine. Just a little scratch.” His white teeth flashed with his smile. “Come on.”

Instead of heading to the guest room, they walked to his bedroom. This was new to her, but ever since he came home from the hospital, they’d been sleeping in his private space. The room suited the man far more than the neutral guest room, however comfortable it may be.

The deep shades of green contrasting with modern black furniture made his eyes stand out even more. Taking the lead, she led him to the bed and made him sit on the edge.

When he did, he drew her to stand between his splayed knees, and she looped her arms around his neck.

“I’m sorry I interrupted your work. Layne told me to take a break, and then I realized how badly I wanted to have some alone time with you.”

His hands tightened on her hips, and he drew her an inch closer. “Oh yeah?”

A husky laugh bubbled up her throat. “Believe me, I want that too. I’ve been aching for you in my bed…”

Their gazes clashed with a fire that flickered on the edge of a blaze.

“The doctor said two weeks before we can be intimate. As soon as the staples come out.”

“That doesn’t mean I can’t make you feel good.” He smoothed his hands up her torso to cup her breasts, zeroing in on the spot he knew would drive her craziest. A shudder of pleasure rolled through her.

She moaned. “As much as I want you to touch me, I want both of us to feel good. Let’s just…hold each other for a little while. And talk?”

“Sure, honey.” He drew her down on the bed with him, and they stretched out in each other’s arms. When he used a knuckle under her chin to lift her gaze to his, he studied her eyes for a long moment.

“Did you get a chance to speak to Megan?”

When he set Shiloh up with the counselor in the veteran program, she had been pretty nervous. But as soon as they started talking, Megan had put her immediately at ease.

“Yes. She’s wonderful. So patient and insightful.”

He nodded. “She helps a lot of people. I just wish…” He cut off, lips tightening with an internal struggle.

“You wish your friend Eric had gotten a chance to get help too.”

He nodded. “This is why I love you. You already know what’s going on in my mind.”

---