Just before he let sleep overcome him, Derek recalled Ginger standing in the hospital, shaking from the cold in her nightshirt, crying because she’d thought him dead or dying. He’d never had anyone cry or worry over him before. Both of his parents were accountants living downstate who didn’t understand his chosen profession and distanced themselves from the chaos of it, of his life.
Women he’d dated in the past seemed to enjoy his dangerous job, even get off on it. Or they would venture in the opposite direction and suggest he quit because of the danger. Ginger would want him safe, but she would never ask him to change his lifestyle or give up the job he loved. Since meeting her, he’d been irrationally jealous, dominated her sexually, and provoked her at every turn. Yet, she’d run toward him and jumped straight in his arms this morning, wanting him flaws and all.
Derek hoped for her sake she didn’t try to change her mind, because he didn’t intend to let her go. He would fight every single insecurity swimming around in that beautiful head to keep her. Hell, he had insecurities, too. Could he make a woman like Ginger happy outside of bed? He’d spent thirty years remaining emotionally detached from the opposite sex, but if he was going to demand Ginger open up and trust him, he couldn’t keep her at a distance. Nor did he want to.
Despite the troubling details he’d discovered about her past, he still needed to learn so much about her. In addition to her loyalty to Willa, he knew her to be strong-willed and perceptive, funny and compassionate. She’d been ruthless about taking a different path than her mother, but still used her looks to make men hop when she needed something. A fact that set him on edge. He alone would see to her needs now.
He felt her slip into bed with him at eight thirty. Waiting to see what she would do, Derek kept his breathing even and remained still. The mattress barely moved under her slight weight, but he felt her lift the covers and scoot across the bed, closer to him. After a moment wherein he struggled against rolling over and pinning her, Ginger’s arm slid around his waist and she pressed herself against him.
Powerful relief moved through him. Derek realized he hadn’t fully expected her to feel the same way in the light of day. Knowing that she hadn’t changed her mind about giving them a chance calmed him immeasurably. He lay there, letting her feminine scent wrap around him, relishing his body’s response to having her in his bed.
“I know you’re awake,” she whispered against his ear, making him smile. “I shared a room with my sister for seventeen years. I know when someone’s being a big faker.
“Guilty. I think I’m afraid to turn around and see what you look like in my bed. The image will haunt me when I leave for work this afternoon.”
Her laugh sounded muffled among the pillows. “But if you don’t turn around, you won’t see the sexy lingerie I wore just for you.”
Derek flipped over with such speed, Ginger squealed and threw up her hands. Kneeling over her, he yanked down the covers and narrowed his eyes at her oversize sweatshirt and leggings. “Oh, you’ll pay for that.”
Her smile slipped a little. “I’ve just been so cold since last night. It’s like I can’t warm up.”
He’d been right to avoid looking at her. Seeing Ginger snuggled in his bed, so casually dressed with her hair fanning out onto his pillow, Derek’s heart wedged itself in his throat. She had to be the most goddamn beautiful thing on the planet, even sleep-deprived as she appeared.
“Come here. Let’s get you warm.”
He lay back down alongside Ginger, sliding an arm underneath her so she could rest her head on his shoulder. She hesitated only a moment before tucking her head under his chin and cuddling into the warmth of his bare chest.
“Is the wounded officer okay?”
“Yes, moved out of ICU around four-thirty this morning.”
“Good.” She blew out a breath. “I guess I made kind of a scene.”
Derek sighed. “I don’t think any of them particularly minded the interruption. While we’re on the subject, could you try and pay a little closer attention to your attire in public? I’d barely recovered from those firemen seeing you in that wet T-shirt the night your apartment flooded. Now the entire homicide division knows what you wear to bed.”
“Actually, I don’t wear anything to bed. I fell asleep last night before I could get undressed.” Ginger laughed when Derek groaned, pulling tighter against him. “How can you be so jealous of other men, Derek, when you know there’s only been you?”
“Baby, I’m jealous of men who haven’t even seen you yet.”