Instinctively, my fingers moved through her hair, and I found them going lower until I was exploring the safe parts of her exposed skin. Tracing the soft underside of her arm, and the rough patch of her elbow that actually wasn’t too rough at all, I found the contrast against my calloused fingertips alluring. I wanted to touch more parts of her, but I refrained, knowing it was going to cause more damage than it should.
She sighed contently, and I loved how the corners of her mouth quirked up in the smallest smile. She was enjoying being in my embrace, which was nice…
“Oh, Chase,” she murmured.
My hand stopped brushing over her skin, disappointment and dread filling me. Jealousy too. She was still in love with him, which meant that there was no space in her heart for me.
The bruised ego in me grew with rage, and before I lost my shit over something so stupid, I crawled out from beneath her, settling on the floor at the foot of my bed.
I was getting too wrapped up in this woman—a woman who I was contracted to help, not fall in love with.
Sitting on the floor of my room, I stared blankly at the fan that whirled above my head. Questioning my integrity and morals, my thoughts drifted through all the what ifs possible when it came to me and Ruby.
What if we ended up together?
What if she never gets over her husband?
What if she tries to kill herself again?
What if I was being stupid for even caring right now?
The way my mind wafted in and out of my dark thoughts had me spinning. It wasn’t fair of me to feel this way. It wasn’t rightfor her, or for our professional relationship. It would send her into a dark cycle, one that might put her right back into that dark hole she was in before.
I would never wish that on anyone. The woman laying on my bed didn’t need anything more from me right now other than my help to find a purpose to keep on living. So, I needed to keep my own emotions and feelings in check. It would be too much for her, and I would be a fucking villain to take advantage of a woman still wallowing in her grief. I wouldn’t do that. Ruby deserved better than that.
A soft knock on the door had me immediately on my feet to see who was on the other side. I was surprised to find Leo standing there. His normally bloodshot and bleary eyes were somewhat clearer than normal. When I left the great room, he’d been sitting at the bar tossing back bourbon as if it was water. I left him when I heard Ruby’s cries and screams. Her nightmare had drawn everyone’s attention–including Leo’s it seemed.
He peered over my shoulder, looking at her lying peacefully on the bed.
“How is she?”
My surprise continued. Leo didn’t show much interest in anyone these days. He’d lost his leg overseas, and we did everything we could to remind him that even though he didn’t have his leg, he still had his life. But the loss kept him angry, and though he’d never admit it–scared.
I was worried about him, as much as I was worried about Ruby. It’s how I should’ve been with Nathan—the person I couldn't save.
“Sleeping. Thankfully. I should have realized being here would trigger her.”
“What’s wrong with her?” Leo asked quietly, moving into the room, then leaning against the wall behind the closed door. He kept his voice low so he wouldn’t disturb Ruby’s rest. The firstsign of consideration he’d shown in a long time. It was small, but it was a step in the right direction.
“She was in a bad car wreck with her husband. He didn’t make it, and from what I can tell, it was bad–she was lucky to survive.”
He didn’t say anything for a long while, and I didn’t interrupt his thoughts. He was on a downward spiral just like Ruby had been, but he had people who cared. Leo had his brother’s support, and we were all hurting with him even if he didn’t see it.
“I got an email tonight.” His voice sounded gruff and thick with emotion.
“From who?” I asked, already knowing the answer.
“From Chaplain Knight.”
“Colin? What did he want?” Playing dumb was the only option I had right now. If he knew I was talking about him, he’d get pissed.
“He’s been out of the service for over a year now, but he’s still been active as a civilian. He’s bringing Nala to me.”
“Nala?”
“She was my bomb-sniffing dog. She’s getting to retire, and he wanted to know if I wanted her.”
“That’s great man.”
