“You heard that, didn’t you?” Courtney glanced up at him with a few tears rolling down her cheeks. The left one was lined with a dark bruise.
He pressed his mouth against hers in a simple, but promising kiss.
“Um, Chief. We’re gonna need a statement from Miss Nash,” Becky said with a definite giggle caught in her throat.
“Take it inside, and I’ll make sure she comes down to the station a little later to sign it.” Owen ran his thumbs under her eyes. “I’ll be right in, okay?”
She nodded, running her hands up and down his arms. “Ouch,” he muttered when her finger accidentally dug into his superficial wound.
She looked at his arm, and then back at him with wide eyes. “The bastard shot you!”
“It’s just a nick.”
“Excuse me while I beat the shit out of him. No one messes with my man.”
Owen couldn’t help it, he burst out laughing. He tried to tone it down when she pouted at him, but it just made him laugh harder. “Sorry, sweetheart.” He kissed her nose. “Now go with Becky. I’ve just got a few loose ends to tie up here.”
“I need to clean that wound.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled and watched her enter the house. He sighed. This was a lot more than he’d bargained for. And while he knew he was falling head over heels for the woman, it still scared the crap out of him.
You run, and I’ll hunt you down.
I’m not going anywhere. Relax, Lilly.
6
Owen watched Becky pull her patrol car out of the driveway, surprised by the nerves rattling around in his brain. Finally, after a very long night, he would be alone with the girl of his dreams. So, what was his problem?
“It’s cold out there,” Courtney said. “And your wound is going to get infected if you don’t let me take care of it.”
“I’m coming,” he said. When he turned toward the house, his breath left his body like someone just smacked him on the back.
She stood in the doorway wearing a pair of flannel boxers rolled down at the waist and a spaghetti strapped top that barely covered her. “Get in the house. You’re practically naked. Someone might see you.”
She smiled wickedly. “Jealous, are we?”
“No.” He scowled. “But like you said, it’s cold out here.”
“Then come inside and let’s get all hot and bothered.” She rolled her strap down her shoulder.
“You are a very bad girl.” The blood flow increased in certain parts of his body as he stepped into the garage, clicking it shut.
“I can be.” She turned and kicked up her foot.
He waited a moment before following her into the house. “Got a Band-Aid?”
“Already on it.” She led him to the sofa. Her soft fingers wrapped around his thick arm. “Does it hurt?”
“No.” He glanced down at the bottle in her hands. “But I think it’s going to when you pour that shit on it.”
“You big baby.”
“Yeah. I think I will need you to nurse me back to health.” He watched her dab the cotton ball and gently place it against the wound on his arm. This was how life was supposed to be. Meant to be.
“There, all done.”
“Thanks.”
“Anytime.” She leaned over and kissed his cheek. “I’m going up to bed. Are you coming?”
“Yeah,” he said as if it were an everyday normal occurrence. “Just want to make sure everything is locked up tight down here.”
She rose. “I’ll see you upstairs.”
He tilted his head, watching her hips sway back and forth as she took the steps slowly, occasionally looking over her shoulder and smiling.
He walked through the house, knowing he was simply stalling.
He had to go up there sometime before the sun rose.
Right before he flicked off the family room lights, he found her shorts and top. He groaned. His heart pounded so fast it hurt. He started unbuttoning his uniform top and raced up the stairs until he stood at her bedroom door where he found her, already in bed.
Naked.
Not under the covers.
“Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” he questioned, staring at her creamy skin. He unhooked his belt and removed his gun, placing it on the nightstand while he soaked in every inch of her glorious body. A body he’d have the pleasure of doing wicked things to for the rest of his life. Yeah, his life just got a whole lot better.
“Oh God, no. Just trying to get your attention.”
“You had it, fully clothed.”
“Want me to get dressed again?” she questioned, but she made no attempts to move.
“No, not really.” And without further ado, he shed his uniform and climbed on the bed next to her, running his fingertips across her middle, enjoying how her muscles tightened under his touch. “I’m sorry I acted like a jerk earlier. I did believe you. I was just being—”
“...a man?”
“Well, I am that.”
“I understand. I shouldn’t have played games, but I didn’t know what to do. You were so distant when I first moved back. I got desperate.”
“I know. I’m sorry about that. How can I make it up to you?”
“You’re doing it now,” she said, gliding her hands across his chest.
“I’m not good at the relationship thing.”
She looked up at him and smiled. “We can take it slow.”
“I think we’re past slow. I mean, I’m in bed with you naked about to do unspeakable things to you.”
“Looking forward to the unspeakable things.” But I should tell you that I love you, you big oaf.
“I love you back,” he said. “But why must you call me an oaf?”
She jumped up, wrapping the sheet around her body. “I didn’t call you an oaf, and you love me?”
“Didn’t you say you loved me too?” Talk about being confused. He heard her say the words. Well, it was more of whisper, but it was her voice.
“I thought it, but I didn’t say it.” She snuggled back into his chest, thank God. You big oaf.
Stop with the oaf thing, or I’ll start calling you babe.
“I
