Page 81 of Recklessly Yours

With a deep exhale, I angled in and brushed my lips tenderly against hers.

“Now, where’s your first-aid kit?” The look she sent me told me to not even try to brush it off again.

After opening the glove box, I pulled out a small kit and set it on her lap. I bit down on my back teeth as she quietly cleaned the wound.

“Not sure if it needs stitches or not, but it looks like the bleeding is slowing.” She pressed a large bandage over the cut.

“Your brother knows,” I blurted out as she began taping the bandage to my arm.

Her eyes went wide.

“I told him I’m in love with his sister.”

That brought a shy smile to her face. “Really?”

I nodded, though I was suddenly nervous to admit just how deep my feelings for her ran. What if this whole situation had made her realize how dangerous my job could be?

“Good.” She applied tape around the last edge of the bandage and then ran a hand through my hair, her eyes shining in the dim streetlight above. “’Cause I love you too.” Quickly, she pressed her lips to mine. “Now, can you take me home?”

Realization dawned on me then. She no longer needed my protection. But the thought of taking her back to her apartment didn’t sit well with me. Though if that was what she needed, I would do it. I’d do anything for her.

“Yeah, of course.” I searched her face, memorizing every inch of it. “I need to finish a few things up and give Aiden an update. He and Seabass should be back from Asheville any minute now. Plus.” I tipped my head to the ambulance that had just pulled up. “We both need to get checked out. But after that, I can drive you back to your apartment.”

Her eyes widened, and then her brows pulled together. “I’m fine going to the hospital or my apartment or your house, but I don’t want to go anywhere without you.”

“Then I would love nothing more than to take you back to my place after we both get checked out.” My body still buzzed with adrenaline, but pure joy coursed through me too.

If I had anything to say about it, my place would becomeourhome sooner rather than later.

Because I had every intention of spending the rest of my life with this woman.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

DYLAN

I crossedmy arms and leaned back in the chair, letting my head fall back against the cold plastic and closing my eyes. My arm only needed six stitches, and thankfully they were quick about it so I could be in here with Hattie before they took her back for a CT scan.

At the sound of a throat clearing, I straightened, finding Rhett standing at the entrance to the small ER unit.

Before either of us could say anything, Hattie’s sisters, along with her mom and Bella, appeared behind him. Knowing the front desk ladies, they likely let more people than typically allowed back here, but the rest of the family was probably still in the waiting room.

“Where is she?” Bella stepped up next to Rhett, scanning the room.

“She’s getting a CT. Should be back in a few minutes.”

“What happened?” Ashley asked with a worried frown, her blond hair pulled up into a messy bun.

I filled them all in on the details. I’d given them a quick summary through text and told them we were heading to the hospital, but I’d expected an inquisition when they arrived.

“Can we talk?” Rhett tipped his head toward the hallway. “Outside.”

With a nod, I stood and followed him out of the room. This conversation could probably wait, but we might as well get it over with. And frankly it wasn’t going to change anything. If he wasn’t okay with me dating his sister, then I’d have to hold out hope that he would eventually come around. Because Hattie was my future.

He turned the corner and stopped just down the hall, spinning to face me.

“Look, man,” I spit out quickly. “I know you’re pissed?—”

He held up his hand. “I’m not mad.”

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