“That it hurt?” A teasing smile played at her lips.
“Smartass. I thought about nothing but you. How I never said what I should have.” His thumb brushed across her cheekbone.
“What’s that?” Her breath caught.
“That I love you. I should have told you, but I didn’t want to tell you before I got those men.” The confession hung in the air between them, as tangible as the beeping monitors around them.
“You love me?” Her voice trembled slightly.
“Very much.” His eyes never left hers.
“I love you too.” The words rushed out, like she’d been holding them back too long.
Rawley grinned. “I know.”
Skylar gasped. “You do not.”
“I do. I can feel it in the way you look at me and touch me.” His voice was tender, knowing.
“I have for a while now.” A blush crept up her neck.
“We’ll talk about this later. Right now, I need something for this pain again.” His face tightened, betraying his discomfort.
“I’ll get a nurse, so you don’t have to move. I’ll be right back.” She squeezed his hand once more before standing.
“Okay, baby. I’ll be here.” His attempt at humor was undercut by the strain in his voice.
She smiled then walked out the door, her footsteps quick on the linoleum floor. Next was asking her to marry him, Rawley thought as he watched her go. Damn. That scared him more than going on a stakeout in the worst part of town on the darkest night.
Chapter Eighteen
Three weeks later, Rawley entered the department and grinned when the agents rose to their feet to shake his hand and welcome him back. His chest was still black and blue but fading and he felt much better.
“Thanks guys. I appreciate it.” Rawley shook their hands, then removed his hat and coat, and headed to Dave’s office. He knocked and Dave glanced up, then with a grin, he waved him inside and stood to greet him.
“It’s good to see you back, Rawley. Take a seat.” Dave walked around his desk and sat down while Rawley eased himself onto the chair. “How are you feeling?”
“The ribs are still a little sore but not enough to keep me home. Every day, I have less pain. How’s the case going?”
“Damn, I can tell you’re back.” Dave shook his head. “Hud’s out right now, but when he gets back, he’ll fill you in. It’s still an ongoing case until we get them to talk. We need more from them.”
“Nothing from either of them?”
“No, but I bet you want to talk to them, don’t you?”
“You’re damn right I do.”
“Alright. You can go to the jail. But this is Hud’s case now. Got it?”
“Yes. Thanks Dave, I appreciate it.”
“Yeah, I think Hill will be scared shitless when he sees you. I think he thought you were dead, and we didn’t tell him any different.”
Rawley grinned. “Like the guy who thought he killed Creed, then Creed walked in.”
Dave chuckled. “I like letting them stew. I’ll see you later. Get to work, Agent.”
“Yes, sir.” Rawley walked out of the office, then headed out the door.
