Page 41 of Sheltered by the Lawman

“Yes, but he didn’t get shot at. I did. That makes a helluva difference. I want to find out who was behind those bullets. And I will.”

The determination in his voice told her he meant every word. “So, have you learned anything?”

“Not enough.”

“I’m getting the feeling you don’t want to talk about the case.”

“No, I don’t, because there’s nothing I can tell you right now.”

“I can leave, Cull. I’m not stuck here.”

“You’re safer with me.”

“Yeah, the human water faucet. You go from hot to cold as quickly as a turn of the knob,” she grumbled.

****

The second he pulled up into the driveway in front of the garage, she was out of the truck. The rain was pouring down and he could barely see her as she raced for the stairs.

Damn. He should let her go.

But something in him wouldn’t let that happen.

He jumped out of the driver’s side and ran after her, his boots pounding the pavement and sloshing through puddles. By the time she made it to the door he’d caught up to her and he gently turned her around. “What are you wanting from me?”

Her bottom lip trembled, and she was soaked. “I’m not asking anything from you. I asked a question and you simply told me you don’t have anything to say. I’m just here waiting for the loose threads inside my mind to start connecting.”

He laid his hand on her shoulder and an electric tingle shot up his arm, but she didn’t pull away, only stared up at him. He couldn’t control himself. He lowered his mouth to hers, kissing her with an energy of a starving man. Her lips were soft and she tasted like chocolate chip cookie dough and something else…something primal and irresistible. He pushed his tongue past her lips, tasting her, exploring her. Her arms came up around his neck and she pressed her body against his, soft meeting hard. He could feel her heart racing or was that his own.

Breaking the kiss, he inhaled sharply, letting the breath out with a hiss.

Taking the key from her hand, he unlocked the door and pushed it open, walking her backward until they were inside. They were dripping wet and she was shivering.

He placed his thumb on her chin, lifting it so her gaze met his. “You’re cold. You should go take a shower.”

“But…I thought…”

“I-I can’t,” he whispered.

She dropped her arms to her sides. “Okay. You can’t. I got it.”

“Monica—”

“No, don’t. I don’t need some excuse. I’m going to take a shower.”

His heart dropped into his boots. He could only stand there paralyzed by his concerns. He should have told her the truth, but if he did, would she disappear?

What was he truly afraid of?

The truth stared him in the face. He was falling for her and he knew once he told her the facts things would change.

“Go take your shower. I’m staying,” he commanded.

Her hip tilted. “I don’t need you to stay.”

“We’re going to talk when you’re finished.”

She shrugged, turned and headed for the bathroom.

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