Page 52 of Sheltered by the Lawman

She dropped back down to the hay. “An escort? A prostitute?” She buried her face into her palms.

He forced his feet to stay still when all he wanted to do was go to her and hold her. He knew she needed a moment to gather her thoughts after an explosion of facts.

Minutes passed and finally she looked up at him, dark circles under her eyes. “You and your family have been so kind to me, so please I couldn’t bear if they knew the lifestyle I lived.”

“Monica, they won’t judge you. They like you.”

Her eyes turned cold. “They like sweet and innocent Monica. Not the prostitute Monica who probably killed a man.” She stood and swiped a tear that fell to her cheek. She met his gaze and the warmth that was there earlier when they’d been a stitch away from making love had vanished. “I’ll help you with whatever you need from me, but then I will go with you freely to the authorities. After all, isn’t that why I’m here? For the money I’m worth?”

What could he say? She was right, at least partially. When he started this, he’d wanted the money.

****

Monica opened the door and Cull stood on the stoop, a stack of papers in his hands. He’d given her the night to wrap her brain around the truth, but even a century wouldn’t be enough to help her absorb that she was neck deep in trouble. She’d wanted her memory to come back and now she wanted to go back to not knowing anything.

They stared at each other, the tension could have been scraped with a shovel. She swore she could still feel the draw between them as if the knowledge of who she really was didn’t make a difference, but it certainly made a difference to her. Even if she could get past the truth, why would he still find her attractive, let alone want to take things to the next level?

It was as if a dream had been smashed by a giant’s foot. There was no chance that she and Cull could ever be more than what they were at the moment. A lawman and a criminal. My God, I’m a criminal.

Feeling the sting of tears in her eyes, she refused to weaken in front of him again.

He cleared his throat. “I hope I’m not too early. You said you’d be ready to look through the paperwork this morning.”

She nodded. “I just started coffee. I think I’ll definitely need some.”

He moved through the door and his large frame seemed to take up all the oxygen, but it was comforting. She was always comforted when he was near, but she needed to get it through her head that for him she was a money sign.

“Before we start, I think we need to clear the air.”

“Didn’t we already do that in the stables last night?” She tried her best to be flippant when all she wanted to do was be weak…in his arms. Her world turned upside down, again.

“I feel like scum at the bottom of the pond.”

“Really? If there’s a layer below that there’s where I’d be.” She closed the door with her foot.

“A lot has happened since you walked into my life, Monica. I’m as confused as you are.”

She crossed her arms over her chest wanting her heart to stop pounding. “Makes me even more confused wondering where the kisses came into play? Doesn’t that break some law?”

He pursed his lips. “Yes…and no. You’re only wanted for questioning.”

“The widow must believe I’m a killer for her to put a number on my head.”

“Everyone’s guilt must be proven.”

She turned because she couldn’t look at him without allowing her emotions to swarm. “If that’s what you say.”

“You didn’t do this. We’ll prove it. There’s something I need from you.”

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