“There’s lots of things I’ve seen and done that I don’t talk about, either,” Tripp said quietly. “I know how scared feels. I hate it. Trust me.”
“You? You get scared, too?” She couldn’t imagine what could frighten Tripp, but she was beginning to trust him.
“Oh, hell, yeah.” By then his cheek was against hers. She relaxed into him. “Anyone who says they aren’t scared when rocket-propelled grenades are coming straight at them, and IEDs are blowing up beneath their boots is a damned liar.”
A cell phone vibrated from his jeans pocket. “Oops, sorry. That’s my boss,” he breathed into the side of her sweaty head. “I’ve got to check in. Don’t go anywhere.”
“Oh, that’s funny,” she tried to joke. “Not sure I can stand or walk straight right now, much less go anywhere.” She pursed her lips and exhaled again. Slowly. Then listened to his polite conversation. Why not?
“Understood. Sure, Mark. The Bureau thinks it’s the same guy?”
Brushing her hair out of her way, Ashley dared glance up at Tripp’s handsome profile. He’d transformed into a stern professional, listening intently, and nodding to whoever he was speaking with. His brows were sharp and his green eyes shone as bright as broken glass. His jaw was tight, angular, and his lips were pursed, like he was thinking. Whatever was going on, it sounded serious.
“Damn. That’s brutal. How many?” A tense pause. “How long has this creep been active?” Another pause. “And no one has any idea who he is?” Tripp glanced down at her and winked. “You bet. I’ll be there in five. Might even bring a friend if that’s okay.”
She shrugged, not sure that she was ready to go anywhere. Until today, hiding out, taking time off, or crying herself to sleep was her proven cure when these awful panic attacks struck. She refused to use OTC sleeping meds and avoided prescription drugs. She didn’t need the side effects. But for the first time in, well, forever, going somewhere with a man like Tripp sounded better than being alone with her bird.
“Yeah, yeah, smartass, I’ve got friends.” He chuckled as his arm tightened around her. “Not all of them are in low places.” He blew out a sigh. “You got it. Sure. See you soon.” Tipping to one side, Tripp stuffed his phone in his back pocket and said, “I’ve got to go into the office. Won’t be long. Come with me?”
Ashley pursed her lips and breathed out, expelling another tiny bit of the poisonous panic that had snuck up on her. That was what panic attacks felt like, poisonous gas. The key was in breathing properly to get it out of her system. Running a hand over her face, she met his gaze and admitted, “I’m a mess. Not sure I’m up for meeting anyone else today. Think I’ve surpassed my twenty-four-hour limit.”
“Then let’s get you over to your place,” he replied easily, not a titch of coercion or condemnation in his tone. “I’m not leaving until I know you’ll be okay.” He lifted to his feet, taking her off the floor with him.
She leaned into his side once she was upright. Panic attacks took everything, her strength and her willpower. Tripp seemed to understand that. He hadn’t let her go, had even pulled her under his arm and against his side to steady her, instead of letting her waver like a drunk.
There might still be a way to turn this day around. “I’d sure like to go with you, though,” she said. Of course, then she had to huff out a quick breath to stall another rising tide of panic. This time, it was much smaller, and Ashley just plain didn’t want to hide anymore. Not today. She wanted to be brave. If Barbara trusted Tripp, she would, too.
“Only if you’re sure. TEAM HQ is only a few blocks south. I can run over and be back in under an hour. Then, I’ll order pizza. That is, if you want to see me again.”
He sounded so hopeful that Ashley couldn’t resist. She took another slow breath, swallowed hard, then said, “I’ll go with you, Tripp. Let me grab my bag.” She didn’t go anywhere without the mace in it. “On second thought…”
Things had to change, darn it. No longer would she live like a hermit in the dark. She wanted sunshine back in her life. Basking in the pretty green sunshine in Tripp’s eyes was a great way to start.
She glanced over her shoulder at the man who’d stood by her. A gorgeous smile split his handsome face. Sparkles all but burst out of the dark centers of his eyes. “That’s the first time you said my name. I like the way it sounds.”
Oh, that. “I’ve been such a jerk. I really am sorry.”
“So what?” he asked, smiling like a teasing little boy who’d just been handed an ice cream cone and might give you a taste if you were really nice to him. “I’ve been a jerk once or twice in my life. Forget it. I’ll be right back. Just need to change into work clothes.”
He returned a few minutes later, dressed in crisp black jeans, a matching black polo, work boots, and a leather jacket. He’d combed his hair and… Dayum. He’d shaved. The spicy, musky, male scents drifting off him were delicious.
Ashley breathed in the lusciousness of the incredibly sexy badass. She knew he was taller, broad-shouldered, and thick-chested, but all cleaned up? Tripp McClane was breathtakingly beautiful. No wonder he ducked
