I eased into the spot, careful not to let my body touch his. No need to crowd the man when he was being kind. He could have already gone to bed, been halfway to sleep, but he'd seen my lights and he'd stuck around. Waited for me in the cold.
"What brings you to the ranch so late?" he asked, his voice heavy with something I couldn't name—concern, maybe, or a gentleness I hadn't expected.
I shrugged and turned my gaze to the front door. There was a window that allowed you to see out. The glow of the porch light created a small halo against the dark night. It was easier to look there than to stare at this attractive man wanting to know why I had fled to this sanctuary.
"It's hard to answer that question," I muttered. "I got in my car and suddenly I was on my way here. Like my hands knew before my brain did."
He hummed, a low sound that rumbled through the quiet, as if to encourage me to continue. "This place always feels safe, doesn't it? And you needed somewhere safe tonight?"
The warmth of his voice was too much. Too understanding. Too kind.
I closed my eyes and bobbed my head as I fought back tears that had been threatening since the courthouse steps. His hand closed over mine, and my eyes popped open, startled by the contact. My jaw dropped but no words would come.
"This place is safe, Tanner," he said softly, his thumb brushing once across my knuckles in a touch so gentle it made my chest ache. "We'll keep you away from whatever troubles you."
I bit my lip, but the tears I'd just been fighting trickled down my face anyway. I wished I could suck them back up, make them completely disappear. Simon didn't need to see me fall apart like this. He didn't need to witness how thoroughly I was broken.
Except when I took in his expression, it wasn't pity that I saw.
It was concern. Pure, uncomplicated concern.
The hand not holding mine reached up and gently swiped away my tears with his thumb, the callused digit catching the moisture with tenderness.
I froze under his touch, every nerve ending suddenly awake. Ironically, that was enough to get him to release me. His hand dropped away.
I hated my body's reaction. Not because it was negative, but because I wanted more of him against me. Wanted his warmth, his solidity, wanted to lean into him and let someone else be strong for once.
But again, it wasn't meant to be. Not quite yet. Maybe not ever.
"I don't think it's right to wake up the guys when it's just you," he said, standing and offering me his hand. "We can get you set up in a spare room, and I'll text them so they see it when they wake up."
Just you.
Just Tanner.
Just.
The words rang through my head, reminding me how boring and plain I was. How forgettable.
"Thanks," I said, taking his hand and letting him pull me to my feet.
As I stood and followed him up the stairs, I didn't have the energy to figure out what to sleep in or how I'd handle things tomorrow. Tonight was too dreadful. My body was worn down, and my heart ached both for the case I lost and for the nothingness that came from Simon's careful distance.
He led me up the stairs to the guest room I was quite familiar with. When he turned on the light, I relaxed a fraction at seeing the space. The same quilt, the same sturdy furniture, the same sense of sanctuary I knew well.
This was familiar. I could handle it now.
I looked up at him and smiled as best I could, though I knew it probably looked more like a grimace. "I appreciate you. I hope you can get some rest, and I didn't delay you too much."
His brows dipped, a small frown pulling at his mouth. "You're not a problem, Tanner. I told you I was already awake."His voice was firm, almost stern. "I wouldn't leave you out in the cold by yourself."
Giving him a tight nod, I stepped further into the room and pivoted to face him. "I appreciate it," I said, my tone embarrassingly formal. It was the lawyer voice I used as armor.
Simon took the hint, dipping his head once and closing the door behind him with a soft click. Once I heard his steps move down the hallway and disappear, I settled onto the bed. I dropped my face into my hands and huffed out a breath that was almost a laugh.
This could have gone so much better.
I could have not been awkward. It could have not been Simon who was here when I showed up. I could have had a better explanation than "I don't know" and "I just drove here."
