He pulled a face as he looked at her. “What does that mean?”
“I assumed the next step would’ve been to let the investigation consume you, which wouldn’t have been good for you. You’re too close to it and too emotionally involved to be objective. I thought I’d have to nudge you toward the FBI, but look at you! You got there all on your own.”
Jesse shifted onto his side so he could wrap his arm around her. “You think you’re so smart, don’t you?”
“I am smart, and I get you. I know how you think and understand the thirst for vengeance. But it wouldn’t be in your best interest to investigate this case. You’re a victim, and you need to be treated as such by law enforcement.”
“I hate that word. ‘Victim.’ Most of the ‘victims’ I’ve met are the strongest people in the world.”
“Then that word suits you because you’ve had a very successful life and career despite being the victim of a heinous crime.”
“My career has been successful. The life, not so much, until recently.”
She gave him a coy look. “What happened recently?”
He brushed the hair back from her gorgeous face. “I let myself love someone for the first time since I lost Jordan, and that’s what finally made my life successful.”
She released a deep sigh as he kissed her. “That’s the sweetest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“I’m sorry it took you being nearly killed for me to get my head out of my ass.”
“I hate to think that being nearly killed may turn out to be the best thing that ever happened to me—and us.”
“Don’t say that.”
“Well…”
“Thank you for sticking around long enough for me to see what was standing right in front of me for all that time.”
She started to unbutton his shirt. “What time is your lunch?”
He put a hand over hers to stop the unbuttoning. “Twelve thirty.”
“That’s in three hours.”
“I’m aware.”
“What do you suppose we should do with three hours to kill in a hotel room?”
“You’re not ready for what you have in mind.”
“Says who?”
“Says me.”
“You’re not the boss of me.”
“I hate to point out the obvious…”
“Don’t you dare pull rank on me when we’re in bed together, mister.”
“That’s Chief Deputy Marshal to you, Deputy Marshal.”
Her scowl made him laugh. “Never mind, then.”
When she would’ve turned away from him, he held her tighter. “I’m playing with you, and you know it. You’re the boss of me in all the ways that matter, and if you say you’re ready to get back to business as usual, then let’s go.”
“That’s more like it. Get naked.”
