It was a mystery she’d never solved.
But as she felt his body heat seeping into her, warming parts of her the hot shower hadn’t been able to touch, she admitted she’dmissedbeing close to him.
When she leaned her head on his shoulder, he stiffened and she feared he’d pull away. But to her relief, his heavy arm came around her shoulders and his fingertips left five perfect indents in the soft material of her robe when he squeezed her tight to his side.
She hadn’t realized how much she needed a hug until it happened. And despite thinking she’d cried out all the tears she had, more spilled over and ran down her cheeks.
“Sorry,” she whispered, using her sleeve to mop up the mess.
“Nothin’ to be sorry ’bout.” He squeezed her shoulder again. “Given all you’ve been through tonight, all you’ve lost, I’m gobsmacked you’re not a puddle on the ground.”
“Gobsmacked.” She sniffed pitifully. “Does everyone from Louisiana talk like you?”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “The Cajuns mix in all this funny-soundin’ French. Folks from New Orleans have this weird accent that’s all citified, like they were raised somewhere up around Boston. And don’t get me started on the Creoles.” He hooked a thumb toward his chest. “But folks from my neck of the woods sound like our neighbors to the north and east, like people from Arkansas or Mississippi.Countryto our cores.”
“I’ve always liked it,” she admitted quietly, squinting at the light given off by her bedside lamp. Even its low glow felt too bright for her concussed brain. “It’s very charming.”
“Good lord.” He grabbed his chest like his heart might try to escape the confines of his rib cage. “Was that a compliment?”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t act like it’s the first time.”
He gave her the side-eye. “Name one nice thing you’veeversaid about me.”
You’re thoughtful. You’re quick-witted. You’re the most gorgeous man I’ve ever laid eyes on.
“You play a mean harmonica.” She mentally patted herself on the back for coming up with that answer so quickly.
Her sense of accomplishment was short-lived when he rolled his eyes. “Pfft. That’s not much of a compliment since I’m the only harmonica player you’ve ever known.”
“You never forget to put your dishes in the dishwasher. Unlike Sam. I swear that man thinks a dish fairy lives in the cupboards and it’s her sole job to wash his dirty dinner plates.”
“Big whoop. So I clean up after myself. What a mean feat for an adult.” His voice dripped with sarcasm. “Where’s my gold medal?”
“Okay.” She scowled at him. “You have excellent taste in poetry and an amazing ability to find the perfect line or stanza for just about every situation.”
“Wish I could say I started learnin’ poetry ’cause I love it. But once I joined the Special Forces, I was surrounded by guys who had fancy degrees. Seein’ as how I managed to graduate high school on a wing and a prayer, I figured if I didn’t want to get handed all the grunt work, I had to trick my teammates into thinkin’ I had more than two brain cells to rub together. No one thinks you’re dumb when you’re quotin’ Whitman.”
She blinked at him. “Lack of education doesn’t mean lack of IQ, Fish. You’re one of the smartest people I know.”
His eyebrows arched up his forehead. “Comin’ from a woman with a whole bunch of fancy degrees, that’s sayin’ something. Thanks, doll face.Thatfelt like a compliment.” He slid her a sly grin. “I’m assumin’ the knock to your noggin’ is to blame for this sudden change in personality.”
She chuckled and then immediately remembered thatnothingshould be funny.
A sob caught in her throat and she blinked up at the ceiling, trying to stop the tears before they could start. Or…restart.
It was a useless endeavor. They spilled over and landed on the lapels of her robe.
“Wish like hell there was a way I could take this pain from ya.” His voice was low and rumbling.
Later, she would blame shock and exhaustion for what happened. But in that moment, all she could think was that she needed him.
Needed his strength.
Needed his comfort.
Needed to feel something other than horror and guilt.
Throwing her arms around his neck, she pulled him close. So close she could feel the heavy beat of his heart against her breast. So close she nearly crawled into his lap.
