Page 48 of Taken by the Lawman

With a sigh, she said, “It’s whatever you make of it. I wasn’t getting anywhere on my own and the clock is ticking.”

The area between his brows creased. “When I think of two people making a baby I think of passion, caring, a connection. When I think of you, I can’t imagine a man touching you without all those things—and it kills me to think of a man touching you any way. You deserve to be loved—made love to—Kiersten. Just like we shared up at the apartment.”

The effect of his words danced around inside her bloodstream. “This isn’t about making love, Deegan. This is about having something that I want. A child.”

“Why can’t you have both?” He lifted a brow.

Kiersten tilted her head, looking at the man who made her knees weak. “That was a wish once upon a time.”

He took a step closer, so close that she caught his scent—leather and sandalwood. Her body trembled, wanting to relish in his touch again. “It can still happen. I’m here. I want to make all your dreams come true.”

“If only it was that easy,” she whispered.

“It feels like we’re always having this same conversation.”

“Maybe because you never listen.”

He picked her up into his arms, holding her close. She stared into his eyes, wanting to swim in the dark depths. What she wanted was to forget the hurdles that existed between them. He sat down on a bale of hay, keeping her on his lap.

“Why do you make things so hard between us?” Amusement glimmered in his eyes.

“Why do you brush off the important things?” She swallowed hard when he brought her hand to his lips to kiss the backs of her knuckles, then entwined their fingers. His heat seeped into her, hypnotizing her senses. She couldn’t imagine anything better than being here with Deegan. He made everything seem so calm, so right, and why did she lose all logic when he looked at her with his amazing eyes?

“I’ll quit the Department.”

She blinked, not sure she heard right. “Quit? You can’t do that.”

He shrugged, stretching the sleeve of his shirt up on his large bicep. “There are other jobs, but there’s only one you.” He nuzzled his nose against her neck. “Stop fighting me, sweetheart. Stop fighting these feelings.”

17

Deegan could see the wheels churning through her eyes. He’d never been the best communicator, but he also didn’t like beating around the bush. He slid his finger along the delicate line of her cheek, following the plumpness of her bottom lip, wanting to undress her and explore her with his tongue. Yet, now wasn’t the time. He needed her to understand that he was serious.

“See what I mean. Everything is just so simple for you. As if sleeping together mends all the issues.”

He touched her hand and she trembled under him. “I decided this before we slept together.”

Shoulder slumped and wearing a frown, she gave her head a small shake, sending tendrils of hair around her cheeks. “Well, I’m glad you have this all figured out.”

“I don’t, sweetheart, but sometimes things come along that we can’t fight. I can’t fight my feelings for you any more than I can predict what tomorrow brings.”

“This is too much to think about on an empty stomach.”

He smiled. “You’re hungry?”

“Very much.” She stood.

“How about I make you my specialty.” He stood, taking her hand and together they walked outside.

“Specialty?”

“Meaning it’s about the only thing I can make.”

Ten minutes later, Deegan was in the kitchen taking out slices of cheese, salami and ham from the fridge and grabbing a loaf of bread from the cabinet. Heating a skillet on the stove and dropping in a dollop of butter, he tossed in a handful of ham and warmed it, then toasted the bread until golden brown. He layered mayonnaise, mustard, salami, ham, cheese then topped it with a toasted slice of bread. After two sandwiches were made, he set the paper plates on the bar where she was sitting and he joined her.

“They smell delicious.”

They ate in silence and the moment she chewed her last bite, he swiveled on the stool and looked at her. “Now that you have a full stomach, we can discuss what we started down at the stables.”

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