I nod back. “I’m not sure what spurred Sanders to out himself like he did today, unless he somehow knew I was onto him, but I’m certain he’s not done. He knows I’d bring her back here, so he’ll be around.” I stop and look at my watch, it’s getting late. “I told Kinley I was grabbing my stuff and I would be right back, the pain pill she took is making her loopy, and I don’t want to leave her alone for too long.”
On the refrigerator are a notepad and pen for grocery items, so I grab them and write my number on one of the pieces of paper. “Everyone send me your number so I can call if there is any issue tonight. Tomorrow we can regroup when I can bring Kinley here with me.”
When I get back to the cabin, I half expect her to be stubbornly doing something I asked her not to do, or just sitting on the couch waiting for me, but when I close the front door, she’s sleeping. She looks like she just fell over with her feet still on the floor, like a drunk person.
Setting my stuff next to the couch as quietly as I can, I go tothe bedroom to get the bed ready for her and then go back to the living room. She hasn’t moved, but I smile to myself because I can hear the softest little kitten snore coming from her nose.
Slipping my arms behind her back and legs, I lift her up. Her eyes flutter open, and she smiles. “You came back.” Her voice is soft, and a little slurred from sleep and the medication.
When she lets her head rest on my shoulder, I kiss her temple. “I told you, I’ll always come back for you, baby.”
She presses her nose to my neck and sighs. “I could smell you in the house when I came back without you. I missed you.”
I turn us sideways to walk down the hall and wonder if she’ll ever open up to me without being under the influence. “I missed you too, baby.” But if not, I’ll take it.
Lowering her onto the bed, I push her hair off her forehead and give her a kiss. “Try to get some rest, okay?”
As I’m about to stand up, she grabs my wrist to hold me in place. Her pupils are tiny from the medication and surrounded by gorgeous green. “Wait.”
Sitting on the edge of the bed, I take her hand in mine. “What can I get you?”
She wrinkles her nose and shakes her head. “I don’t like the pills, I can’t hold my eyes open.”
“I’ll call the doctor tomorrow and see if we can’t get something else.”
Her chin lifts a little and comes back down, like a slow drunken nod. “Hey.”
She seems about to say something, and her eyes drift closed again. When I try to put her hand down, she opens them again. “Remember what happened last time you left me hangin’?” She smiles wickedly. “I’ve got more than one vibrator,Special Agent.”
With a chuckle, I lean over and kiss her cheek before I whisper in her ear. “I’ll be the only one making you come, babydoll.”
She chuckle-hums like a drunk person, and her eyes slip closed again. This time I let go of her hand, and they stay closed. As I’m standing up, she rolls onto her side.
“Rhys?”
Squatting next to the bed, I push her hair away from her face with my palm. “Yeah, baby?”
With her eyes still closed, she sighs and mumbles, “I love you.”
My heart somersaults in my chest, and all I can do is stare at her face. I’m waiting to see if she really is asleep, or if she’s even aware of what she just said, but her face is slack and peaceful and her breaths are even like she’s sleeping.
Does she mean it, or is she just talking in her drug-induced high?
Even if she is, don’t people say what they normally wouldn’t when under the influence?
Cupping my mouth with my hand, I look over her beautiful face. A few women in my past have told me they love me, something I’ve never said back, but this is the first time hearing it has made me feel ten feet tall and bulletproof.
Even if she doesn’t remember saying it, I can’t even describe the joy at hearing it. Even if she doesn’t remember, it’s something she feels.
Pulling the covers over her, I kiss her temple again and go get my bag so I can get ready for a long night.
CHAPTER THIRTY
KINLEY
I’M NOTsure which uncomfortable sensation is the one that actually wakes me up, they both are vying for my attention equally, but my foot is aching, and I have to pee so bad I’m about to wet myself. I look next to me, but Rhys isn’t there, so I push myself up onto my elbow and see him dozing in a chair by the window.
The closet door is open just a crack to light the room enough for him to see me. I look over his handsome face and think of him taking care of me all day yesterday. His gentleness and his attentiveness warmed my chest every time he went out of his way to make me comfortable.
