“Care to tell me what you’re thinking about? I’m assuming it’s dirty.”
She took a sip and let the tea sit on her tongue for a moment before answering. “Well, some thoughts were, yes. But I’m also curious about you. We’ve been living together for a while now, we have sex all the time, and we’re having a baby together. Don’t you think it’s high time we got to know each other better?”
Something, she couldn’t quite put her finger on what exactly, changed in him. He hardened. Wariness clouded his eyes, and he shifted uncomfortably in the bedding.
“You think so, do you?” he finally said.
She nodded. “I do. You can ask me questions too. It’s not a one-way street.”
All he did was grunt.
Nibbling on her bottom lip for a moment, she averted her gaze, pulling at a stray thread on one of the sheets. “How did your dad die?”
She lifted her head to gauge his reaction, but he wasn’t looking at her either. His eyes were fixed on the flames, and in turn they reflected back in that gorgeous green. Like emerald fire.
“In a car accident.”
“I’m sorry.”
Brock sank down into the covers and put his head on the pillow, folding his arms up behind his neck and letting his eyes focus on the ceiling above. “I was in the car with him.”
Krista gasped, her efforts in slinking down beside him halting in her surprise. “Oh my God.”
Brock nodded solemnly. “He’d just picked me up from football practice, and we were on our way home. ”
Krista’s heart physically ached at the idea of a young boy having to endure the pain that Brock did. No child, no person should ever have to witness such a thing.
“There was a guy speeding down a busy road. Even though my dad was technically off duty, he was still in a patrol car and heard the call. Figured he’d just park the car at the entrance to a shopping center and that the sight of his vehicle would make the driver slow down. Most of the time it does.”
Krista nodded in understanding. It was true. Often, she and Myles would just go park their car in a school or park zone and have lunch or do paperwork, not even bothering to get out, because the presence of the law often seemed to be enough to enforce the rules.
He swallowed. “Only the guy didn’t slow down. He didn’t stop, and the nose of my dad’s cruiser was sticking out just a bit too far.”
Krista’s hand flew to her mouth. “Oh no.”
His throat undulated. “I was in the back. Otherwise I may not have made it. The speed of the other vehicle sent the patrol car into a pole, and both the driver and passenger sides in the front were crushed. My dad died instantly.”
She shifted onto her side, propping her body up on her elbow and letting her hand fall to his rock-hard chest. “I’m so sorry.”
He swallowed again.
“It wasn’t your fault. You know that, right?”
He let out a slow breath though his nose. “I know that. Doesn’t make it any easier.”
Her fingers mindlessly played with the light scattering of hair between his pecs, but his hand came out from behind his head and stilled their efforts, bringing her fingers to his lips.
“I don’t like that you’re a cop. Even light duty. Because it’s temporary. Andthat fucker Slade works there. I don’t like that your job is dangerous, no matter how admirable a job it may be.”
She let out an exasperated sigh. She didn’t want to fight. But before she could say anything, he rolled her onto her back, covering her with his massive and powerful warrior body.
“But I also don’t want to fight right now or talk about my family anymore. It’s much more enjoyable being inside you.”
Her legs spread of their own volition, and he nestled between them, his erection long, hard and eager, rubbing her clit just right.
Damn it. This was not what she wanted.
Well, yes, it was. But she also wanted to talk. They needed to talk.
