My throat tightens. "Ross..."
He brushes his thumb over my lower lip, gaze intense.
"I'm an all-in kind of guy," he says. "With my job. With everything." He pauses. "With you."
I should tell him this is moving too fast. That we barely know each other. That I'm in no position to start something new.
Instead, I reach for him and pull him into another kiss.
Because right now, wrapped in his arms, I don't want to think about tomorrow. I don't want to think about Brandon or what comes next.
I just want this. Him. Us.
And for the first time since I left, I stop thinking about running.
Chapter 6
Ross
Iwakebeforedawn,instincts pulling me alert before my alarm has a chance.
Ashley is curled on her side beside me, hair spilling across the pillow, breathing slow and even. In sleep, the tension she carries eases, and the sight of it settles something deep in my chest.
I don't regret last night. Not for a second.
I ease out of bed carefully and check my phone. There's a text from an officer at the station.
Guy came back asking about Ms. Clark. Wouldn't leave his name. Thought you should know.
My jaw tightens.
I pull on my pants and step into the bathroom, closing the door quietly before I call the station.
"Description?" I ask when dispatch picks up.
"White male, thirties, ball cap, driving a dark sedan. Clerk said he got aggressive when she wouldn't give out room numbers."
"I'm at the motel now," I say. "I'll handle it."
When I hang up, I stare at my reflection in the mirror. This isn't hypothetical anymore.
I pull on my uniform shirt and badge, then step back into the room. Ashley stirs as I move.
"Ross?" she murmurs.
"I'm here." I sit on the edge of the bed. "Your ex came by again. Asked for you at the desk."
The color drains from her face.
"He didn't get near you," I say quickly. "But I need you to get dressed. We're leaving together."
She nods and pushes herself up, pulling the sheet around her. "He found me."
"And now I know he's here," I say. "Get ready. I'll be right outside."
She moves quickly, pulling on jeans and a sweater while I step into the hallway to scan the parking lot through the window.
That's when I see him.
