“I didn’t have the keys to lock up your shop when we left in the ambulance, so I called for Helen, one of our assistants, to come over to find your keys and lock up. She also called the service we use that cleans crime scenes, so you wouldn’t have blood soaking into your floor all night.”
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“Oh my god – I hadn’t even thought of that. Thank you so much.”
He parked at the back of the shop, pulling out my donut keyring that Helen must have found and given to him. I took the keys, working the three industrial locks. Leading me in slowly, his arm stayed wrapped around my waist as we went up to my apartment.
I hadn’t had a man, or any visitor, in my new home, and was instantly struck with a wave of shyness. But Daniel went straight to work, tucking me in on the couch with blankets, and a pillow under my left arm to keep it slightly raised. I had a mug of tea and a plate of cheese and crackers in front of me before I was even settled. He even plugged in my phone to charge and set a bottle of painkillers and a glass of water on the coffee table.
Sitting down beside me on the couch, I saw that he kept a polite distance from me. But I also noticed that I desperately wanted him to be closer.
“Thank you,” I started, and he held up his hand to wave it off. “No, really. I’m sorry I’m phobic about needles, and anything medical, but for you to stay with me all night.” I reached out to take his hand. “Thank you. And even though I’m freakish about it, thank you so much for getting me to the hospital.” Giving a little squeeze, I reluctantly let him go.
His lips quivered, as if he were opening them to speak but changing his mind over and over.
“Hey,” I asked, “How did you find me?”
Daniel shook his head, then was abruptly very still. His rock-solid jaw was tight. “I... Well, to be honest, I...” His eyes clenched shut for a second, then opened to meet mine. “I came by to pay for the food, and help with your taste test, but mainly to ask you to have dinner with me.”
I heard my breath catch. “I probably would have said yes.” I didn’t quite know if that was true. I knew that I should keep the world at arm’s length, especially the police, but he was making it so hard.
His grin was full of relief, and optimism, and raw joy all at once. “Well, you’re certainly parked in this spot for today. How about lunch? I could order pizza, or maybe Indian food? What do you like?”
“Don’t you have to work today?”
“It’s my day off.” I glanced at his uniform and raised an eyebrow. “I just wore this so that I could use the cruiser to pick you up. I live so close that I don’t have my own car.” He could likely see the relief on my face as clear as a flashing neon sign. I didn’t want him to leave. “How about you have your tea and crackers, make sure your stomach is calm, then see what you’re hungry for in an hour?”
“Perfect. Thanks.”
He reached out to place his palm over mine, frowning slightly.
“I’m cold, I’m always cold,” I said quickly, then almost gasped. “Oh, I’m sorry if you were worried. I’m always a little more chilly than everyone else.”
“Oh.” He picked up my hand tentatively, running his thumb along mine. “I tend to be a bit warm. I hope that you weren’t overheated last night.”
“Not at all. That was, well, from what I remember, really comfortable.”
His thick brows knit together, as he shifted uneasily. “Bailey, I hope that I wasn’t too forward in the hospital. I know we barely know each other, and I didn’t mean to be too familiar in a strange situation. I needed to hold you to keep your arms still, and it seemed to calm you down.”
I squeezed his hand again. “Thank you for taking care of me. I think you did a wonderful job.” My cheeks prickled with heat but I felt I needed to spit it out. “I don’t sleep well. I never have. I’m a light sleeper, with frequent nightmares. But the nurse said I was sleeping like a baby in your arms.”
Daniel’s deep eyes twinkled. “Good. Want to curl up and watch a movie?” I nodded as he slid over, wrapping those huge, thick arms around me, removing them only to feed me crackers and grab the remote.
I knew it was wrong to get close to him. I didn’t know enough about him, didn’t know what he wanted.
But I was fragile from that horrible ordeal. Just for today, I needed him. I needed his warmth. I wanted to give in to his apparent desire to take care of me. And just hanging out with a nice guy, spending time together, was making me feel both floaty and grounded at the same time.
I don’t know if I consciously made the decision. Like so many odd things in my life, it just happened.
It started as naturally as the breeze picking up over the lake. One second I was in Daniel’s arms, laughing about something on TV, tipping my face up to catch his eyes. The next second his lips brushed against mine in a feather-soft kiss that I swear I felt in my ankles. As soon as I leaned in again for more, he turned us both slightly, my right arm slipping around his neck as his hands circled my waist. I felt the next kiss up my spine, the next few lower down, making my thighs tense.
He was so gorgeous, so self assured, so damn masculine. Why did he smell slightly like the forest?
His mouth slid against mine with a sudden heat I wasn’t expecting. A large, firm hand pressed against my lower back, pulling me closer. My lips parted, and he accepted my invitation, his tongue soft, gentle. I heard a tiny gasp before I’d realized I’d made it, and he instantly pulled away, leaving me breathless.
Placing his large hand on my chest, I wasn’t sure whether to laugh or twist so that he’d touch my breast.
“I’m sorry,” he began gently.