“She has me,” Bosco said, glancing at the clock on the wall. “If you need to talk to her some more, she’ll be at my place.”
Pierce studied them both. “I thought you said she moved in recently.”
“I did,” Bosco said softly.
Pierce sighed. “You Albertini men. I’m going to have to ask you a few more questions, Bosco.”
Yeah, he’d figured.
Chapter9
Marlie let the heater in Bosco’s passenger seat warm her legs as he parked the truck at the curb. They had made the way home in silence, both lost in thought. Plus, she had happily taken the pain pill offered by the doctor, and most of her body had gone nicely numb.
“Stay here.” Without waiting for an answer, he jumped out and jogged through the blistering snow to open her door and lift her into his arms.
“I can walk,” she said, snuggling against his bare chest. “I think I’ve seen you without a shirt more than with one since I moved in next door.” Not that she was complaining. His hard-ass chest was something to look at, not to mention touch. She rubbed her cheek against his warm skin. The snow landed on him and melted instantly. “How are you not cold?”
He strode inside the building and moved instantly for his apartment, opening the door and setting her on her feet. “I run hot. Hold on a sec.” He shut and locked the door before passing through the apartment as they did on television to clear rooms. Then he returned. “Want to argue?”
She swallowed, holding the hospital blanket around her chilled body. “About?”
“About your staying here for the night?” He cocked his head.
What kind of women had he dated? She shifted her feet on the cold floor. “Am I supposed to argue about that?” The last place in the world she wanted to be was back in her apartment by herself right now. Her face heated.
The flash of a grin was unexpected. “Yeah. We’re just friends, and you’re all independent, and you can take care of yourself. That argument.”
“Oh.” She tilted her head to study him. Yep. Sexy, hard body with a stubborn angle to his chin. “Would I win that argument?” Curiosity ticked through her.
“Nope. Not a chance,” he said agreeably.
She exhaled slowly. “I don’t want to go back to my apartment by myself tonight. In fact, my door is still busted down. I’m scared, and you make me feel safe.” In fact, he had saved her. Twice now. “Does that make me weak?” She couldn’t imagine Bosco Albertini with a weak woman.
“Do you think it makes you weak?” Now he sounded curious.
She shook her head. “I think it shows I have a brain. Right now, there’s a guy out there who stabbed us both. You’re a trained soldier, and you kicked his ass. I want to stay right here until we catch this guy or at least figure out who he is. But if you don’t want me to, then I get it. We’re just neighbors and probably friends, and you don’t owe me anything.” It was the truth. If he didn’t want her there, she’d go to a motel. “I do have options. Safe ones.”
“Your safest option is to stay with me,” he drawled.
“Probably,” she admitted. “But I also don’t want to cause problems. Your ex-girlfriend showed up here with two lattes, wearing tight jeans. No doubt she wants to try to date you again. So, if you’re going that route, it would be a huge mistake for me to stay the night here.”
The idea of him getting back with Jennie was like a punch in her stomach, and Marlie needed to get a grip on that. Obviously, there was a messy history there, and maybe Bosco was still in love with the pretty blonde.
He reached for Marlie’s hand and drew her farther into the darkened apartment. “Jennie and I are not getting back together, and I would very much like for you to stay here tonight. We can fix your door in the morning.”
She tripped along, fighting a grin. “It’s so nice of you to ask.”
“Right?” He led her into the bedroom. “It seemed like we were already agreeing, so I didn’t see a reason to get all bossy.”
She did like a logical man. Heat blasted through her at looking at the bed they’d shared not too long ago. Oh, the things that Bosco could do in that bed. Right now, her body ached, and her eyelids were heavy. Without arguing, she slid beneath the covers and scooted to the far side, careful of her injured arm. “We’re both sleeping here, right?” While he’d no doubt offer to take the sofa, she wanted him here.
“Yeah.” He turned off the light and shucked his jeans, sliding in next to her. “Don’t be scared.”
She was. Oh, she didn’t want to be, but that guy and his knife were still out there. “I’m not,” she lied. Tears filled her eyes, and she started to shake.
“Oh, sweetheart.” He drew her closer, wrapping his muscled arms around her. “Listen. You did a great job defending yourself, and you’re safe. I’m not going to let anything happen to you. I promise.”
She let the tears fall against his warm skin, wanting to have the right to cry on him. To depend on him. Not just because they were neighbors. The more time she spent with Bosco Albertini, the more time she didn’t want to be anywhere else. “Thank you, Bos.”
