Page 37 of Marked for Obsession

“No, thank goodness. Everyone on board was banged up. There were even a few broken bones, but nothing life threatening.”

“What did your father do when he got out?”

“He worked as a mechanic.” She grinned. “Did that for a few years, but then he was offered a position at this grain bin there in Atchison. He just retired from there a couple of years ago.”

“And your mom?”

“She’s a teacher. High school English.” Poppy started to ask about his parents, but her intended words were swallowed up by a giant, embarrassing yawn. “Excuse me.” She blinked the water from her tired eyes.

“You should get some rest.” Jax set down the remaining portion of his burger and stood.

Poppy would have argued, except she couldn’t find the energy. She wasn’t sure if it was the warmth in her belly from the soup or the crazy events of the day, but she was suddenly having a really hard time keeping her eyes open.

“It’s the crash,” Jax answered her unspoken question. “Happens once your body has a chance to catch up to everything. You should go to bed.”

She slid from the bar stool and reached for her half-eaten bowl, but Jax had it lidded and picked up before she had the chance.

“I’ll get this.” He carried both containers over to the refrigerator.

“What about you? Are you going to sleep now, too?”

“In a bit. First, I’m going to call Maggie to see if she found anything useful on our vic, and then I’m going to check in with Dec.”

Standing at opposite ends of the bar, Poppy faced the man who’d saved her life mere hours before. “In case I didn’t already say it, thank you.” She hugged herself. “I’d be dead right now if it wasn’t for you.”

“You did thank me, and it’s not necessary. It’s all part of the job.”

“Killing people is part of being a P.I.?”

His unreadable expression remained in place as he stared back at her. “If it means saving an innocent life, damn straight.”

“This wasn’t the first time you’ve had to do something like that, was it?”

“I was a SEAL, Kitten. What do you think?”

“Right. Sorry.” She covered her gaping mouth as another deep yawn struck.

“Get some sleep. We’ll figure out our next step in the morning.”

With a quick glance to her right, Poppy considered trying one last time to convince him to let her take the couch. At the same time, yet another yawn assaulted her, and she decided it wasn’t worth the effort.

“Promise you’ll wake me if you find out something important?”

“Sure.”

Something about his tone told her he would not be waking her, important discovery or not.

“Okay, then. Goodnight, Jax.”

“’Night.”

Shuffling her way down the hall, Poppy sleepily changed into her satin shorts and tank-top pajama set. After a quick brush of her teeth, she practically fell into Jax’s bed, his fluffy white comforter nearly swallowing her whole.

She closed her eyes and moaned. Pulling the covers to her chin, she reflexively inhaled. The bed smelled of detergent and another scent that lingered in the air. One belonging solely to the mystifying man in the other room.

It was spicy and all male, and for reasons she didn’t dare question, it instantly made her feel safe.

Safe. Right after the attack, she thought she’d never feel safe again. But here, in this room…inthisbed…Poppy drifted off to sleep knowing that Jax Monroe would do whatever it took to protect her.

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