Page 37 of Fall Back
“Hey guys,” Walker’s voice has us turning toward where he’s leaning against the doorway of the bedroom. “He’s being takendown to the station to be charged. I gave a statement, but you’ll both need to go down tomorrow and do the same.” He pauses and takes a deep breath before adding, “I bagged the knife.”
Both Carson and I tense with his words. A knife. Dave didn’t just break in; he did so with a weapon. The thought of losing her, of something happening to her, makes my mouth go dry and I struggle to swallow.
“Thanks,” my voice is thick with emotion as I thank my friend. The same guy I gave a bunch of shit to for being with my sister. “I mean it, man,” my voice breaks, “thank you. For having my back when I needed it even though I was an asshole to you not long ago.”
Carson chuckles under her breath, her body shaking slightly as she peeks up at me and then looks toward Walker.
“I’ve got your back, Jared,” Walker vows with a grin. “And it’s been kind of fun to give you shit.” I flip him off before Walker looks toward Carson and his face softens. “I’m glad you’re okay and safe,” he murmurs.
“Thank you,” her voice is high and breathy in a way that tells me she’s still riding her fear.
After giving us both a nod, Walker turns and heads back down the hallway. As he does, I push my woman just far enough away from my chest to allow me to look down and study her.
“I’ll lock the front door behind me,” Walker calls out, and we both freeze for a split second.
I croak out, “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” she swallows hard, “I didn’t even see him, just heard him. You got here before anything happened.” She buries herface in my chest again, and I let her. The way she presses against me is like she can’t get close enough. “I knew you’d come.”
“I’ll always come when you need me,” I promise her. “I’ve got you.” When she props her chin on my chest, I can’t help the words that slip from my mouth. “I love you, Carson.”
Her mouth opens and closes as she blinks up at me before her eyes narrow. “Are you only saying it because you were afraid for me?”
“No,” I bark, “I was afraid for you, but I do love you. With everything I am.” I narrow my eyes and ask, “Isn’t that what you were going to say earlier?”
CHAPTER 15
CARSON
I feel like I can’t breathe, but this time it has nothing to do with fear. He’s right, I was going to tell him that I love him. It would have been the truth, but it would have been pulled out of me because I was afraid. I’m not sure whether I’m glad he stopped me or not still.
The moment I woke up and heard someone in the house, I felt paralyzed with fear. It wasn’t my life flashing in front of my eyes at that moment; it was the future I desperately wanted to make a reality with Jared. It was laughter in the kitchen, date nights, and little stupid fights. It was a wedding, kids, and moments so sweet they felt almost out of reach.
As I tried to breathe through my fear of Dave being in the house while I wanted to break down into a sobbing mess, it was memories that hadn’t even happened which played through my head.
But Jared made it in time. I knew he would. It’s why I calledhim.
I knew he would drop everything and be there for me without a second thought. My only worry was that he was out on a call and not at the station just because it would have taken him more time to get here.
But he was just getting off shift.
I got lucky.
So, fucking lucky.
I never even saw Dave, even though I could hear him right outside the bedroom door. But he didn’t get close enough to hurt me or use his weapon.
He had a weapon. The knowledge has my breath hitching.
And now Jared is telling me he loves me. I was so close to saying it earlier and it would have been all truth. Why am I questioning his sincerity?
I must be quiet for far too long because he breathes deeply before letting it out slowly while leading me over to the edge of the bed. After he sits, he pulls me down until I’m straddling his lap.
It’s not the right time at all, but I can’t help the bolt of lust that goes through me at our position. It would be so easy to unzip him and slide down his length. It’s not like I’m wearing anything underneath his t-shirt. It’s a damn good thing it swallows me or else he would have freaked out at Walker seeing me earlier.
“I’m not going to lie to you, Carson,” Jared’s voice is serious and layered with emotion, “I have never been more scared in my life. I didn’t experience that kind of fear when I was in the military or any day I’ve been on the force. It felt like I couldn’tget to you fast enough and all I could picture were the worst-case scenarios. I’m so fucking glad you’re okay.”
I pull the hair tie from his hair and tangle my fingers in the strands. “I’m okay,” I reassure him.
