He walked over to her.
“That’s a door to the crawl space. I put them there just in case.”
“In case?”
“In case someone tried to break in through there. Did you see the cellar doors at the back of the cabin when we came back from our walk?”
Her shoulders slumped. “Yes, but I didn’t think much about them.”
He really needed to remember that she wasn’t used to this sort of danger. He should have softened his reply or at least added that he doubted that would happen.
“It’ll be fine. Nobody’s going to break in here. There’s a deputy right outside, and I’m in here. This house is safe. Nobody other than the police and sheriff’s departments knows about it and where it is. You’re safe.”
She nodded but continued wearing a worried expression.
He pulled her into a snug embrace, and she melted into him, letting him know he’d done the right thing.
“I’ll protect you. You know that, right?”
“I know,” she whispered.
When he released her, she stared up at him with those dark, inviting eyes.
“I know we’ve had a rough day and things have been a little tense between us. But if you want, you can sleep in my room with me. We don’t have to…”
His words sounded horribly awkward and choppy, and he thought he should simply stop speaking before he made it any worse.
“I’d like that.”
Okay, maybe what he said wasn’t so dumb.
“I’m going to get ready for bed,” Emma stated before she slipped into her room.
Cap did the same. He brushed his teeth and then eyed his two-day beard. He contemplated shaving, but he was tired and decided it could wait.
When he stepped out of the bathroom, Emma stood in the hall waiting to get in.
“I’ll only be a minute,” she said.
In his room, he stripped down to his boxers and slid into the small bed, his gun within reach.
Moments later, Emma entered wearing the same silky pajamas covered in little white clouds she’d worn the night before. It was easy to recall how she looked without that pajama top on. The thought of her creamy, bare skin and round breasts made him hard. He shifted his body to hide his enthusiasm.
Emma turned the light off and slid in beside him, facing him. He rolled to his side to face her directly, too. Once his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he could make out her lovely almond-shaped eyes. They gazed at each other for a moment before he inhaled deeply to steady himself. Working up the courage to explain why he had been an ass to her earlier in the day.
Taking her hand, he kissed it, then entwined his fingers with hers.
“Emma, sweetheart, earlier today, when you asked why someone hadn’t snatched me up yet. Well, that question unfortunately reminded me why I’m still single at this age.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to pry.”
“No, it’s okay. It was a simple question. First, I’m honored that you think I should be paired off, but I have an unpleasant history when it comes to relationships.”
With her free hand, Emma reached over and pressed her index finger to his lips.
“You don’t have to tell me. It’s none of my business.”
He lowered her soft finger.
