“I’ll stop her. Just like I did today.”
Brynnon shook her head. “I don’t want you getting hurt because of me, Grant. When I think about what could’ve happened to you had that car been going just a little faster, or if you’d jumped out of the way a second later...” Her voice cracked, and a tear fell from the corner of her eye.
“Hey,” he rumbled softly, pulling her into his warm embrace. Grant tucked her head beneath his chin and held her closely. “I’m okay, sweetheart. We’re both okay.”
When she nodded, her cheek brushed back and forth against his shirt, stirring up even more of his woodsy, masculine scent.
“I’m not going to let anything happen to you.”
The declaration was so solid. Definite. And Brynnon knew he meant every word.
She pulled back so she could look up at him. “Just promise you won’t put yourself in harm’s way for me.”
He gave her another crooked grin, having no idea how those sent her heart racing. “That’s kinda my job.”
“I don’t care,” she argued, stepping out of his embrace. Crossing her arms in front of herself, she lifted her chin and stared him down. “I don’t want you risking yourself for me.”
“Not your choice, Bryn.”
She exhaled loudly. “God, you are so stubborn.”
Grant barked out a laugh. “You’re one to talk.”
Brynnon wanted to respond, to come back with some sort of witty comment, but she was too busy trying to catch her breath. Both sides of his lips were curved, the broad smile lighting up his entire face.
God, he’s beautiful.
Mistaking her silence to mean she was still upset, Grant’s smile slowly vanished, and he walked slowly toward her. “Come on,” he ordered, taking her hand in his.
Before she could explain, he began walking them both out of the kitchen. With a flick of his wrist, he reached up and flipped the light switch off, carefully leading her upstairs.
“Um, Grant? W-why are you taking me to my bedroom?”
“Just relax,” he uttered quietly, reading her mind. “It’s not about that.”
Not sure if she should be disappointed or relieved, Brynnon continued to follow the confusing man. Once they were in her room, he walked over to her side of the bed and turned to face her.
“Lay down.”
“Excuse me?”
“You need sleep, right?”
“Yes...” she let the word hang there.
“Then lay. Down.”
Still unsure of what his plan was, Brynnon did as she was told and crawled into bed. She had to bite her cheek to keep from smiling when the gruff man reached down and pulled the covers over her body, tucking her in as if she were a small child.
He’s taking care of me.
Even more surprising was when, instead of leaving, he walked around the foot of the bed and crawled in beside her.
Propping herself up on an elbow, she looked over her shoulder at him. “What are you doing?”
“Don’t worry. My clothes are staying on.”
Without warning, he reached across her waist and pulled her back to his front. As promised, his shirt and jeans were still on, but Brynnon still felt guilty. She didn’t want him feeling forced into an uncomfortable situation simply because he was trying to help her get to sleep.
