Page 55 of For the Birds

His admission shocked me. “I was pretty scaredtoo.”

He paused; then his face hardened. “Do you think they planned to killyou?”

“I don’t know. They were apparently guarding the office door after they shut me in there. If they were going to kill me, then wouldn’t they have just doneit?”

“I don’t know,” he said. “Maybenot.”

I knew what he wasn’t saying—not if they’d planned to torture me or interrogate me first. Not if someone else had been on their way to the warehouse to do those things.

“Listen, I know you think Buck took Scooter, but he didn’t. I suspect the guys who kidnapped me did. And if they were waiting on someone to join them, then we can still find whoever took Scooter. I think there’s a good chance he’s alive.”

His eyes widened.

I wondered why he looked so surprised, and then it occurred to me that we’d never discussed his brother’s disappearance. “I know about Scooter. Why didn’t you tellme?”

He didn’t answer. We both knewwhy.

I decided to be honest. “You hurt me at the parley, James.”

He swallowed. “Iknow.”

“I know what you were doing. You were trying to push meaway.”

Pain filled his eyes. “I know,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

I moved my hand from his cheek and slid it into his dark hair. “I’ve missedyou.”

He didn’t answer for a few seconds. “I don’t know what to do about you, Rose. You drive me crazy. I can’t think straight. You’re dangerous for me, and God knows I’m dangerous foryou.”

I sucked in a breath, but I couldn’t bring myself to say I was sorry.

“You called me a coward for trying to ignore what’s going on between us. Maybe you were right.”

“Did you just admit that I’m right?”

He quirked his brow. “I said maybe.” He took a step closer, and there were only inches between us now. “I thought I’d lost you, Rose. And I couldn’t handleit.”

He softly pressed his lips to mine, as though giving me a chance to back out. I tugged him closer instead.

His kiss became demanding and his tongue explored my mouth. I released another moan as he slid his hand behind me, cupping my butt cheek and tugging me firmly against him. I wrapped my legs around him and locked my ankles together, thankful I didn’t feel any pain from my wound.

He groaned and his hand slid up and under my shirt. The sensation of his warm fingers on my bare skin sent a shiver through mybody.

“You are the sexiest woman I’ve ever known,” he growled into my ear. Then he leaned in even closer and nipped my earlobe. A shot of lust shot through me, but he pulled back and looked me in the eyes. His gaze was tortured. “And you have no idea how much I want you, but we still can’t.”

“Buck Reynolds thinks I’m your girlfriend,” I said, my hand still holding the back of his head. “I assured him multiple times that I’m not, but I know he thinks you find me valuable, which makes me valuable to use againstyou.”

“He’s right.”

“About whichpart?”

“All of it. You are valuable to me. My most valuable asset. Why do you think I had Jed following you all the time? He’s the only man I trust.” He lifted a hand to my cheek again and gave me a soft caress. “I’ve been careless with your life. For that I’m sorry.”

“Asset? You mean for my visions?” I couldn’t hide my disappointment.

“You really believe that?” His thumb lightly brushed myneck.

No, but I wanted to hear him say it. I leaned into his touch. “We’ve been at odds, and someone still took me,” I murmured. “Your plan didn’t work. Maybe there’s no need for us to keep away from each other.”

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