Another officer shone his light toward me. “You know him?”
“That’s Dallas Reynolds. He saved my life.”
Dallas jumped off the man and ran to me. He opened his arms and pulled me tight to his chest. I could feel his heart racing against mine and a subtle trembling throughout his body.
The adrenaline rush flowed out of me in the form of tears, and I clutched Dallas and cried into the soft red cotton of his shirt. I could hear the police all around us, moving to examine the criminal.
“Adri, I’m so sorry I wasn’t here sooner,” Dallas murmured. “I got off work early and tried to call you, but I couldn’t reach you.”
I lifted my face toward his. “You came just in time.” I started to ask him what he meant by not getting here sooner, but he covered my mouth with a tender kiss. A sob broke free from my throat. “Oh, Dallas. I was so scared.”
“Me too.” He patted my back. “I love you so much. Are you hurt? I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”
I leaned against him and felt the concern he had for me in the way he held me. “I’m okay now.”
“But he hurt you.” Dallas moved my hair from my cheek. “He hit you.”
“I’m okay now, thanks to you.”
“But did I get here in time?” Dallas stepped back and looked me up and down. “Did he . . . ?”
“He touched me, but you came just in time.” I buried my face against his chest and murmured, “Did you kill him?”
“No, but I should have.” The vengeance in his voice was powerful, and frightening.
“No. It’s better to give him to the police.”
Something passed through his eyes, and he shook his head. “Just so long as you’re okay.” He tipped his head down and caressed my lips with his. I kissed him back with more passion than I probably had ever felt before.
I still couldn’t believe that Dallas had saved my life. He’d told me he loved me, and I knew he meant it. I had to admit, the way he held me at that moment made me feel something I hadn’t before.
His hands moved in a slow circle on my back and then reached up to hold my head as he continued to kiss me. I pressed against him, feeling the warmth and security he exuded. Then he broke contact. “Why were you running so late at night?”
My shoulders drooped, and I took an uneven breath that caught on another sob. “It’s a long story, but I’ll tell you all about it.”
Dallas pulled me close again, and I could hear his breath heaving in and out of his chest. I put my hand on his cheek and kissed him, moving my hand to his heart. “I need you to be calm for me.”
“Sorry. I—he—I almost lost you.” He glared in the direction of the man now standing, handcuffed, next to Tony.
He spoke the truth, but it wasn’t something I wanted to dwell on. If Dallas had been a few minutes later, I might not be alive. “Thank you.”
Tony stepped up and clapped Dallas on the shoulder. “I don’t know how you happened to be in this area, but we’re all grateful you were.” Tony looked at me. “Are you all right?”
I nodded and put a hand to my swollen cheek.
Tony’s brow creased with concern. “We have an EMT. Maybe you should get checked out.”
“No, I’m just bruised and shaky.” I let Dallas support some of my weight as I leaned against him. Tony studied Dallas, and I realized I hadn’t introduced them. “Tony, this is—” I paused and glanced at Dallas. The word was on the tip of my tongue, but I still felt unsure. Obviously Tony had seen us lip-locked, so I might as well say it. “This is my boyfriend, Dallas Reynolds. Dallas, this is Detective Ford.”
The look in Dallas’s eyes made me thankful I had used the boyfriend label. I hadn’t thought he’d noticed my lack of commitment, but he had. The two men shook hands, and Tony scrutinized Dallas. “How did you happen to be here? Did you see that man take Adri?”
With one arm Dallas held me tight to his side and then lifted his hand to the east. “I went for a drive and saw Adri running along the trail. I parked at the first pullout I came to and ran back to meet her. But then she wasn’t there, and I heard a scream.” He paused and looked down at me. “I didn’t think. I ran as fast as I could and found that guy on top of her.”
“I’m grateful you intervened, but that was a huge risk. He was armed.”
“I knocked his gun loose when I jumped him,” Dallas said.
Tony nodded and then looked at me as if considering something. “Adri, it’s important that you not tell Dallas any of the particulars until we get things sorted out.”
I felt Dallas’s arm tense. I touched his hand and looked at Tony. “He deserves to know what’s going on.”
“I’m a witness, and I saved her. You can trust me,” Dallas said.
“I know I can trust you, but I have to follow protocol,” Tony said. He shook his head and looked at me. “Have you said anything to him?”
“There hasn’t been time. Can’t you tell him why we’re out here? At least the basics?”
“I know it’s hard to understand, but if you’ll please hold off until we’ve taken everyone’s statements, it would help.”
Dallas nodded. “I can wait.”
“Okay,” I answered with a frown.
“Adri, I know this probably isn’t the best timing, but we need to get a statement and ask you a few questions about your encounter with the suspect. And don’t kill me, but I just called Wes to see if your parents could come up here to help.”
“You didn’t.” I let my head drop to my chest. “My mom is going to freak.”
“I don’t want you to be alone after everything that’s happened, and
