Page 52 of Micah

“Are you hurting?”

“A little. It’ll be all right.”

Patsy walked to the kitchen then returned with a painkiller. He frowned when she held it out to him.

“Take it.”

“I don’t want it. I’m fine.”

“Yeah, give me the macho bullshit some other time. Take the pill, Agent Turner.”

Micah grinned and shook his head but he took the pill, tossed it into his mouth then took a drink of his water.

“Yes ma’am.”

Patsy smiled at him then disappeared down the hallway. When she returned with a washcloth, he reached for it but she brushed his hand away. She leaned over him and cleaned him up. Micah clenched his teeth all the while she did. She was going to drive him insane. Just about the time he was ready to grab her wrist to stop her, she quit, and straightened up.

“I’ll just be a few minutes.” She picked her clothes up and left the living room again.

****

Once in the bathroom, Patsy locked the door behind her, leaned her arm against the wall, placed her head against it, and cried. Putting her hand over her mouth, she tried to curb her sobs. Tears flowed down her cheeks. How was she ever going to leave him? He would always be the man she loved. It had been stupid to come here. She should have known being with him for any length of time would only lead to heartbreak. There was no way she could stay any longer. She had to get out of here and away from him. To think of him walking out that door never to return had her terrified. Anytime she thought she could handle it, she’d remember seeing him fall to the ground when he’d been shot. She had been having nightmares ever since it had happened. Micah would put his arms around her and hold her as she trembled. She knew he had to know she was having a hard time with it, but he did his best to soothe her. She loved him so much, but she couldn’t stay with him and live with a constant fear he’d be killed. Oh, sure, she knew no one knew how long anyone had, but his job was so dangerous. He was in bad situations too much and it was just a matter of time. He’d told her it was the first time he’d been shot other than in his vest but it only took one bullet. She couldn’t believe it when he’d told her he’d been shot twice before but his vest had protected him.And even though he’d quit working undercover, it didn’t change the fact that he was in a dangerous job.

Shaking her head, she pushed herself away from the wall, walked to the tub, and turned the water on deciding on a bath instead of a shower. After piling her hair up on her head, she walked to the door and unlocked it then stepped into the tub. She couldn’t leave the door locked in case Micah decided to come in. Sometimes he’d come into the bathroom just to talk with her while she soaked. More times than not, she’d talked him into joining her.

It had been a mistake coming to him, but he’d been the first person she thought of to help her. Not Nathan. Not Mont. Micah. She knew he’d protect her and although she knew Nathan and Mont would too, she wanted it to be Micah. She’d lied to Bella about how she felt about Micah. She was certain she’d fallen in love with him the minute he came striding into Bella’s bedroom. It took all of her willpower to keep her mouth from dropping open. He’d been a tall, cool drink of water and she’d been so very thirsty.

Blowing out a shaky breath, Patsy washed her face then sat back in the tub to relax. Sex had never been as good as it was with Micah. She was no slut, but she’d been with a few men. None of them could hold a candle to Micah Turner. Why couldn’t he be bad in bed? Then it wouldn’t have happenedmore than once, and she’d be more than ready to leave. She was sure if the sex had been lousy, her infatuation with him would have faded damn quickly. But no, the man had to be great in bed and made her fall deeper in love with him. It was all his fault.

Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes but her peace only lasted a few minutes before she jerked hearing a knock on the door. It opened and Micah stuck his head in.

“I thought you were going to shower.”

She shrugged. “Changed my mind.”

“You okay?” he asked her.

“Yes, of course.” She glanced back at him but then turned around again too fast.

“There’s noof courseabout it, pixie. You’ve been jumpy as hell since you were taken.”

“Well, something like that does tend to make a person jumpy. Not to mention that I saw you get shot.”

Micah pushed the door open and entered the room. He closed the lid on the toilet then sat down adjusting the sling on his arm. She knew he hated wearing the sling but it was necessary to help him heal well.

“Patsy, I’m sorry you had to see that but I’m fine.”

“But you might not be the next time.”

“You can’t know there will be a next time—”

“And you can’t know there won’t be,” she snapped then tears blurred her vision. “Micah, I’m…I’m leaving tomorrow. I’m going back to Dry River.”

“Just like that?” He stood and stared down at her.

“I’m no longer in danger and I need to get back to my job.”

“What about us?”

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