Page 89 of Wrecked
She took it and guzzled down a long swallow before handing the cup to him. He was giving her time to gather herself and she needed a minute to figure out what she was feeling besides embarrassed.
He climbed into bed and stacked pillows for himself.
Every move he made was slow and careful. He was trying to put her at ease. Who was this man that kept thinking of her needs?
The man who should have watched over and protected her from childhood had shirked his duty by turning his back on his wife and child.
She and Kovac had maintained a hate-hate relationship.
Coop had been a great friend and mentor, but she’d never leaned on him.
Sam had stepped up to protect her and be here for her.
His hand moved over to her cold one, threading their fingers. A warm grip, so full of power and ready for her at any moment. She closed her fingers tighter around his, thankful for a life ring in a turbulent ocean of emotions.
She swallowed hard and blinked back tears that would not fall. Not for herself. She was grown and strong. She had a powerful man standing by her side she’d have never expected.
Phoebe was alone somewhere with her terror.
The more days Hallene spent worrying about Phoebe, the harder time she had holding onto any annoyance.
After licking her dry lips, Hallene said, “I dreamed of Phoebe. Again.” She took a breath and kept going. “Every time I find her, someone is dragging her away from me. The fear in her face is too horrific to describe and her screams rip my heart apart. Just when I get close and lunge for her hand, she’s snatched away into a dark hole that closes over her and I know I’ll ... never see her again.”
Others would have tried to reassure her that they’d find Phoebe and not to worry.
Empty words that solved nothing.
Sam kept her hand safe in his. “We may face worse than that before it’s over, but you’ll havemeby your side when we go after her. I will be with you every step of the way.”
Muscles in her face relaxed and she smiled to herself at his confidence. From anyone else it would sound arrogant, but Sam wasn’t bragging.
He was making a vow.
Just that support eased the tightness in her heart.
She wouldn’t be alone after all.
But she had to admit the obvious. “I think my intelligence resource has been compromised. Either Kovac or the kidnapper realizes I know what they’ve been talking about.”
“I’ve realized that, but we aren’t defeated. Just delayed.”
How long would Phoebe have? Looking around, she didn’t spot an illuminated display on the digital clock. “What time is it?”
“I threw a towel over the clock so the light wouldn’t wake you. It’s just after two in the morning.”
That’s when she realized she had not gone to bed on her own. She’d gotten comfortable in the chair and had felt a wave of exhaustion hit her.
Sam had put her to bed.
She shoved both hands over her hair, pushing the mass back from her face. “We should talk about what to do next.”
“You didn’t sleep much. We can’t do anything until closer to daylight. Why don’t you try for a few more hours of sleep?”
Still taking care of her.
He would ruin her for another man even if they never did more than hold hands and kiss.
She couldn’t fall asleep again after the nightmare and waking up to find Sam hovering over her. She might get past the nightmare, but not that formidable body so close to hers.
