The dark waves of her hair cascaded down over her shoulders, and—Fuck me—she was wearing the nightgown from their night at the motel in Venezuela.
Jake’s gaze dropped to her legs, and he swallowed hard, trying not to focus on the way one leg was bent and how the position had pushed the gown to well above her knee. He forced himself to ignore the ache he felt between his legs and how badly he wanted to touch her.
She’d been attacked. As much as he wanted her again, she needed her rest.
For the first time since entering the room, Jake noticed the small photo album lying in Olivia’s lap. It was open to a page that held pictures of her, Mike, and Jake, and Pops.
They were from a camping trip Pops had taken them all on when Jake and Mike were in high school. Jake smiled at the memory. Man, he missed that guy.
He ignored the guilt he felt for not coming clean to Olivia about what really happened to Mike. He also paid no attention to the little voice in the back of his head, telling him he needed to make that particular confession soon.
Jake already knew this. He just prayed he could find a way to make her understand.
Olivia looked so peaceful, he couldn’t bring himself to wake her. Instead, he decided to put the book away, cover her with a blanket, and lie down on the bed alone.
Before leaving the hospital, the doctor had told him that they no longer woke concussion patients up every hour the way they used to, so he’d let her be. She needed to relax and get a good night’s sleep.
Carefully, Jake reached for the book, but as he lifted it from her lap, Olivia came to. He sat the album onto the floor next to the chair and crouched down in front of her. She looked at him with sleepy, confused eyes.
“Jake? What is it? What’s wrong?”
His brow creased. He hated that her first thought upon waking was that something bad had happened.
“Nothing’s wrong, sweetheart. I didn’t mean to wake you. I was just about to get you a blanket. But since you’re up, you should know the sheriff’s department confirmed Hernandez was the man who’d been stalking you.”
She yawned, looking so damn cute, his cock twitched. Christ, it was like everything she did turned him on.
He was determined not to make a move on her tonight, but it was taking every ounce of strength he had not to push that nightgown up higher, put his head between her legs, and take her in his mouth.
“Okay,” Olivia’s sleepy voice interrupted his thoughts. “So, that’s it, then. It’s over?”
She shifted to sit up straighter. Jake nearly choked when the movement inadvertently pushed her nightgown even further up on her thighs, as he’d imagined doing himself just seconds before.
He knew she was completely unaware that, given his current position, he was now able to see the black lace panties, barely covering her, beneath it.
Clearing his throat, Jake forced himself to look back up into her eyes. The moonlight wasn’t overly bright, but it was enough he could see the pain and fear that was still there.
“Yeah, baby. It’s over.”
He rested both hands on her knees, immediately wishing he hadn’t. Not because he didn’twantto touch her. Touching Olivia was his new favorite pastime, but he came in here to make sure she was okay, not seduce her.
Mustering up more self-control than he thought he had, Jake ignored the heat beneath his fingertips and focused on the task at hand.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better. A little sore, but I’m okay.” She must have sensed the inner turmoil churning inside him, because she added, “Stop blaming yourself, Jake. This wasn’t your fault.”
He reached up and took her cheek in his hand. “Can’t help it. I told you before, sweetheart. It’s my job to keep you safe. It always has been, but lately I feel like I’m constantly failing you.”
****
Olivia could barelyswallow for the tightening of her throat. She moved forward in her chair, causing his one hand to slide further up onto her thigh. Jake removed his other hand from her cheek and rested it high onto her other leg.
As always, his touch sent an electric current searing through her. It traveled up her legs, singeing the sensitive area between, and didn’t stop until it reached into the depths of her soul.
Her fingers brushed against the scruff on his strong jaw. Looking into his tormented eyes, she said, “My hero. Always watching over everyone else. I can’t help but wonder, though...while you’re so busy protecting me, who watches over you?”
His eyes widened. His pupils darkened. And then, looking back at her with more emotion than she’d ever seen from another human being, Jake whispered, “I love you.”
