“The neurologist went over my latest scan and gave me a clean bill of health. It’s hardly a shocker that I’m supposed to avoid more head trauma. But otherwise, he released me. The orthopedic surgeon studied the last films she took of my shoulder and knees. All good. I started exercising a little earlier than she’d recommended, but it actually ended up helping me build back my strength. It wasn’t my first rodeo with the shoulder, so I knew how not to pull it out of whack again. She wants to see me in another month but told me I can go ahead and resume normal activity, including work.”
Brea could see the relief on his face. She’d been worried his injuries were so extensive he’d be unable to come back, and he must have had moments of doubt, too. “That’s great. Just make sure you take it easy for a while.”
“I’ll try.” He leaned forward and studied her. “But it’s not an easy job.”
“I know.” And she did from being around Cutter. What they did was dangerous and unpredictable. Just yesterday, her best friend had been sent to Dallas at the last minute to bodyguard an up-and-coming clothing designer with a stalker. Every time he left, she worried. She could only imagine how she would feel once Pierce resumed missions again. “And I know you’re a tough guy, but you’re only human.”
“Don’t tell the bad guys that.” Pierce winked. “But the best appointment was with the oral surgeon. It feels great to have my jaw back.”
“I can tell you’re thrilled.”
“Hell yeah. He’s still stunned I didn’t lose any teeth, which made the process easier.” He smiled. “And no one can shut me up now.”
“No one wants to.”
He raised a black brow. Just like that, reality splashed cold water on her. Cutter would love to shut him up. Every time she turned around, he still seemed determined to come between them. He was convinced Pierce was no good for her.
She was so happy when they were alone together. Here, in his house, she and Pierce had shared some wonderful times just making small talk, performing domestic tasks, and curling up on the sofa. She sometimes pretended they could spend their lives that way. But the reminder that, even if Pierce ever fell for her, one of the most important people in her world would never approve ate her up.
And Cutter wasn’t their only obstacle. Whatever he thought, he would convey to her father. Since Daddy had always trusted Cutter’s judgment implicitly, once her best friend said that Pierce didn’t deserve her, getting Daddy to hear her side of things would be difficult at best. Convincing him she was right would be even more challenging. Daddy didn’t mean to be old-fashioned…but he was. Just like Cutter. Neither believed she was incapable of taking care of herself; they just didn’t think she should have to.
“Well, I want to hear whatever you have to say,” she corrected.
He gestured to her plate. “There’s a lot. Hurry and get back to eating.”
“I’m doing my best without making a mess,” she pointed out, then sipped from her water glass.
“Shit. I got a bottle of wine. I forgot to open it…” He stood.
She laid her hand over his. “Don’t. I have to drive. I’m good with water.”
He sat with a sigh and reached for his own glass of agua. “You sure? I wanted everything to be perfect.”
For what?
“It is. The music, the rose petals, the food.” She gave him the best smile she could. “You didn’t have to thank me for helping you, but this is very sweet.”
“Just sweet?”
Their gazes connected. In his black eyes, she suddenly saw a lot more than gratitude. Everything inside her trembled. “Were you trying to make it romantic?”
“If you’ve got any doubts, pretty girl, I should have tried harder.”
So he hadn’t done all this merely to thank her? Pleasure rushed Brea. Her smile widened. Was it even a little bit possible that he loved her, too?
“How?” she breathed.
He leaned closer. “Maybe I should have been nicer.”
“If you had, I would have wondered who you were and what you’d done with the real Pierce.”
“Fair enough. Maybe I should have cooked your food myself.”
“Even though you can’t?”
“I didn’t say it was a great idea.”
She laughed. “Feeding me an inedible dinner wouldn’t have done much to impress me.”
“Yeah, screw it.” He leaned closer. “Maybe I should have just kissed you longer.”
Her breath caught. “Maybe you should have.”
Pierce’s eyes turned impossibly darker.
No, that wasn’t love…but it sure felt like it.
Then he hooked his big hand behind her neck, tilted his head, and brought her in for a crushing kiss. The desire that had been simmering under the surface collided with the feelings she’d been hoarding in her heart. Together, they made her body ache for his touch, his caring, his possession.