Get a Clue(65)
“Yeah, that.” He came close and hunkered down beside her chair. “You cannot think I was serious.”
She studied the fire and didn’t respond. She knew now he hadn’t meant it, but just his voice alone was making her want to melt.
“Look at me, Breanne.”
No. Looking at him would be like looking directly into the sun. Amazing but stupid.
But then his hands settled on the arms of the leather recliner and he whipped it around to face him. His face was grim, intense, and . . . still angry.
“I didn’t mean it,” he said. “You know I didn’t. Now I want to hear you say it, damn it.”
“Fine. I know you didn’t meant it. End of conversation, please.”
“Just like that?”
“Just like that.”
He looked at her for a long moment, then let out a breath. “I’m a cop, Bree. Through and through, as it turns out. I thought quitting would change that, but apparently no.”
Damn it, she knew that, but hearing him say it, knowing he felt as if he had to say it, got to her.
“I’ve seen and heard it all,” he said. “And it’s changed me, maybe even hardened me. I can’t help that. But when I’m with you, I feel a little . . . clumsy.” His eyes were dark and genuine. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. But you hurt mine.”
“I’m sorry.” She could admit it now. “I’m so sorry. It’s all me, I’m just . . . going crazy. Edward—”
“Was dead when we got here. Or so I think, anyway.” His hands were fisted on either side of her, the sleeves of his shirt rolled up past his elbows, his forearms corded with strength as he leaned over her. “You sleeping in here tonight?”
Sleeping? Probably not. More like watching the shadows on the wall all night long. But she lifted a shoulder. “The bed’s comfortable enough.”
“I figured you wouldn’t want to be alone.”
“I’m a big girl, Cooper.”
“Yeah, you are.” He lifted her chin. “And you’re running scared.”
She jerked her chin free. “If I was running scared, would I be sleeping alone?”
“You’re running scared of me.”
She let out what was supposed to be a disbelieving sound, but it convinced neither of them.
“You expect me to believe you’d rather face another midnight intruder than sleep next to me?” His voice was heavy with disbelief. “I don’t think so.”
She shook her head. “How did you ever fit through the door with that big head of yours? Look, I’m going to be fine, okay? In fact, I’m quite exhausted.” She made a big show out of stretching and yawning really wide, before putting her hands to his chest and pushing so she could stand up.
Only she didn’t budge him.
“Excuse me,” she said.
“You’re going to sleep.”
“Yep.”
“Right now.”
“That’s right.”
At that he backed up, leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his chest, the picture of an irritated, frustrated, sexy-as-hell man.#p#分页标题#e#
She made a big deal out of climbing up onto the high bed and tugging down the white down comforter. “Shut the door on your way out.”
“You’re going to sleep in those fuck-me boots and Lariana’s clothes?”
Her own personal armor, and yes, she was going to sleep in them if that’s what it took. “I’m sorry if the boots misled you today,” she said primly.
“Trust me, it wasn’t the boots. Though they are something—” Saying so, he moved forward and took hold of one.
Before she could kick him, he’d flipped her to her back, but instead of flattening her down on the bed with his body as she’d figured, he began to undo the boot with a quiet calm.
“Watch out,” she warned. “Have you seen the heels on these things?”
“Shh.” He’d bent his head to the task, and she might have melted at the unexpected sweetness of the gesture except he drove her crazy.
“If you shh me one more time . . .” she warned.
Lifting his head, he smiled grimly as the first boot came off and he tossed it over his shoulder. “You’ll what?”
Damn it, she had no idea what.
“Come on, Breanne. Finish the threat—I’m all ears.”
“Shut up,” she said, utterly without rancor because he was looking at her with such genuine warmth and affection that her mad drained right out of her.
People she’d known all her life didn’t look at her like that, yet he did. She didn’t know what to do with him. “I wish you’d go away,” she whispered, confusion and exhaustion, not emotion, creating a lump in her throat. She had no emotion left.