“For what?” he muttered.
Maryn moved to within inches of his chest. She reached up and gently turned his chin until he was looking at her. “Thank you for saving me from the bear and thank you for the past three days. They’ve been the most… relaxing time of my life, no relaxing isn’t quite the right word.” Especially when she thought about snuggling him throughout the night. “Stress free.” She shook her head. “No, that isn’t it either.” Tuck had stressed her quite a bit until she’d seen into his heart. “Enjoyable. Yes, even though I could’ve done without the bear attack and the stitches, being with you has been wonderful.”
Tuck simply watched her during her monologue. He reached up and captured her hand, drew it to his mouth and kissed her palm. Her heartrate increased as his dark eyes bore into her. “Then why are you leaving?”
Maryn looked down, unable to hold that gaze. “I have a life, Tuck. I need to write and be with…” She about said my friends, but with Alyssa married and busy, her exercise, church, and work friends were fun, but they weren’t close friends who needed her. James was about the only friend who seemed to need her, and at the moment she couldn’t imagine wanting to spend time with him.
“That James guy?” Tuck scowled.
“No. I just… can’t stay.” She wanted him to beg her to stay and be part of his life. She could write from here. They could make it work. She shook her head. It had only been three days since she met him. You don’t make that kind of commitment after three days, one brief kiss when you’re on drugs, and a night of snuggling. It was ridiculous. She looked over Tuck’s broad frame, his large hands that could be so tender, those dark eyes she could get lost in, those lips… Three days wasn’t nearly long enough.
“James will make a scene and make you look bad,” she murmured.
“I don’t care what the media thinks of me.” His eyes begged her to believe him.
“I know, but I do.” Maryn placed a hand on his chest, feeling his strong muscles under her palm. “It’s better this way. Believe me. James is… very convincing when he wants to be and he’ll shred both of our lives.” She’d been convinced that James was a good person, but right now she was doubting that.
Tucker’s broad shoulders rounded. He took a step closer to her, reaching up and cupping her cheek with his hand. “If it’s better for you, I’ll let you go. If you promise to stop by the Instacare in Rexburg or Idaho Falls before you fly out.”
She nodded, grateful he cared so much.
Tucker exhaled slowly then gave her a soft smile. “Have I told you I really like you in my shirt?”
“Why Tucker Shaffer, you’re sounding a bit possessive.” Maryn batted her eyelashes, but could hardly catch her breath with him standing so close and looking at her like that.
“More than a bit.” His hand trailed along her jaw and into her hair. “I love the way you say my name,” his voice was low and oh so appetizing.
“I love saying it.” She paused then asked, “Do you know the worst part about leaving?” Biting at her lip, she hoped he wouldn’t think her too forward.
“What’s that?” His breath was coming in short puffs as he bent his head closer to hers.
“Last night you promised me a better good night kiss tonight and now I won’t be here to make you keep your promise.”
Tucker smiled and she got distracted by that scar at the corner of his mouth. She reached up and traced it with her finger then went on tiptoes and kissed the scar. Tucker turned his head and she gasped at the intensity in his eyes. He brushed his lips across hers and she sighed from the sweetness of it.
Tucker took her face in both of his large hands and gave her a kiss for the record books. Maryn clung to his shoulders as he manipulated her mouth with a soft passion that fit him—strong, caring, and thorough. He slowed down the kiss and gently ran his hands along her arms until he grasped her hands then rested his forehead against hers. “Was that a bit better than last night?”
Maryn blinked as if waking from a deep sleep. “I’m not even sure where I am at this moment.”
Tucker chuckled and tenderly kissed her again. “I guess that will have to last you until I see you again.”
“Will I… see you again?”
“A bear couldn’t keep me away.”
Maryn shuddered and Tucker grimaced. “Sorry, bad joke.”
“No. The image of you protecting me from that bear is something I never want to forget.” She sighed and pulled away. “I’d better get going.”
He nodded and released her hands.
She turned, walked back into his bathroom, and softly shut the door. Her overnight bag was in the closet. Slipping his shirt off, she shoved it in her bag. It was painful, but she managed to get back into her own clothes, run a brush through her hair and put on some powder, mascara, and lipstick. James had cameras outside. Man, she was ticked at him right now. She had no desire to write any kind of article about Tuck. James had acted like he brought the cameras to rescue her, but it was for profit, she knew that as well as she knew that she didn’t want to leave Tucker Shaffer. Ever.
She shouldered her bag and her purse that she’d all but forgotten about, Braxton had brought it to her this morning. Apparently she’d left it in the office when she ran from Tucker that first night. She opened the door. Tuck still stood in the sitting room, his shoulders slightly hunched and an unreadable expression on his face. He turned and offered a sad smile. “It was a pleasure to meet you, Maryn Howe.”
“The pleasure was mine, Tucker Shaffer. Please know that I will only reveal the best things about you.”
He crossed the room to her in three long strides, not touching her, but so close she could feel his breath on her forehead. “What are the best things about me?”