THIRTY-SEVEN
Hawk turned in the rented Jeep at the Colorado Springs Airport and caught a direct flight back to Dallas. Bran loaded his and Jessie’s bags into her Honda, and they headed for Denver.
All morning Bran had listened to Jessie trying to convince him to leave with Maddox, but that was not going to happen. No matter the torture he felt being near her, he owed it to her brother to make sure she was safe.
He figured Weaver and Holloway were too busy trying to save their asses to still be much of a threat. But Detective Porter had called to confirm Ray Cummings’s fingerprints were found on the Valentine’s card, on the windowsill, and other places in Jessie’s apartment. The guy wasn’t even trying to hide the fact he was stalking her. Unfortunately, Cummings was in the wind.
Until he was back in jail, no way was Bran leaving Jessie alone.
They arrived at her apartment late in the day, and he spent the night on her couch. A miserable night thinking of Jessie in bed in the other room. He was used to having her curled up against him, used to her reaching out to him in the night, used to reaching for her. The sex was always incredible between them. He didn’t think Jessie would argue with that.
Funny how it had ended, with him wanting more and Jessie just wanting to be free of him. He ignored the ache in his chest.
It was late the next morning, neither of them talking. Bran was tired. Jessie was skirting him, trying to keep her distance. She finally gave up, clamped her hands on her hips and glared at him as he rinsed his coffee mug and set it on the counter in her tiny kitchen.
“You can’t just sit in my apartment all day waiting for Cummings to show up.”
A muscle ticked in his cheek. “What’s the matter? Can’t get rid of me fast enough?”
Jessie glanced away. “That isn’t it and you know it.” She looked back at him. “I know you just want to protect me. We’re friends. Good friends. As far as I’m concerned, we always will be.”
His jaw clenched so hard it hurt, and something snapped inside him. Gripping her shoulders, he dragged her hard against him. Her eyes widened as his mouth crushed down over hers.
The kiss was rough and demanding, unapologetic. He kissed her until the stiffness went out of her body and she was clinging to his neck, kissing him back.
He eased her away, drawing her eyes to his face. “I’ll never be that kind of friend, Jess. I don’t want to be, and I don’t really think you want that, either.” He kissed her again, softly this time. “We’re more than friends, even if you won’t admit it.”
Tears filled her eyes. Turning, she walked a few feet away, then turned back. “You’re right, okay? Is that what you want to hear? We’re more than friends. I love you, Brandon. It doesn’t change anything.”
He stared at her for long moments.She loved him?He wondered if that could possibly be true. He scrubbed a hand over his unshaven jaw.
“Maybe I never had a chance, you know? Like I was never supposed to have you. Danny’s dead. I’m alive. It wouldn’t be right for me to end up with his beautiful sister.”
Her hand came out of nowhere, cracking hard against his cheek. “Don’t say that! Don’t you ever say that again!”
Anger burned through him. “What the hell, Jess?”
“Danny would want you to be happy! I want you to be happy! You deserve it more than anyone I know.”
Emotion clogged his chest. “You make me happy, Jess.” He reached out and touched her cheek. “Come back to Dallas with me.”
Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I can’t.”
“My condo’s big enough for both of us. Hell, it’s big enough for you and me and half the neighborhood. We’re good together. Say you’ll come home with me.”
She just shook her head.
Anger seeped back in. “Fine. I’m going for a walk. I need some air. My revolver’s on the side table. Consider it a gift. I won’t be gone long.” He had to get out of there, had to get himself back together. “Lock the door behind me.”
Grabbing his down jacket off the coat rack, he shrugged it on over the Glock at his waist and walked out into the hall, heading for the stairs instead of the elevator.
Jessie had said she loved him. Well, he sure as hell loved her. But she didn’t want him—not enough.
As he walked out into a cold day and icy wind, his resolve strengthened. He’d made a fool of himself, but he was through with that now.
Pulling up the collar on his jacket, Bran shoved his hands into his pockets and kept walking.
Jessie heard the doorbell ring. Hallie had called. She was downtown and wanted to stop by. Jessie dried her eyes and went over to check the peephole. Turning the dead bolt, she opened the door.
