Page 52 of Lay Down the Law

“Oh, my God,” Erin said hoarsely. “You saved my life.”

Nick didn’t want her gratitude. He didn’t like the way she was looking up at him with those large, green eyes of hers. The combination was messing with his head and making him want to hold her tight and never let go.

“For having just flipped your cruiser, you sure are talking a lot,” he growled.

“You’re not going to fire me for wrecking it, are you?”

“Depends on how badly the town council rakes me over the coals. I’ll let you know.”

When she started to sit up, he gently pressed her back into the grass. “Easy, McNeal. Do me a favor and just lie still for a couple of minutes, okay?”

She didn’t fight him.

“I’m going to get that collar and blanket. Don’t move.” He loped to the rear of the truck and threw open the door. Rummaging quickly through the emergency case, he removed what he needed, then rushed back to her. Dropping to his knees, he fastened the cervical collar around her neck, then snapped open the blanket and covered her from chin to the tips of her toes. Even through the flannel he could see that she was trembling. A cut stood out stark and red on her left temple. Nick hated seeing her pretty skin marred.

“This will help keep you from going into shock,” he said.

“I know the drill, Chief. But I’m okay. Honest.”

Before he realized he was going to touch her, he raised his hand and pressed his fingers to her cheek. She flinched, but her flesh felt like velvet. Warm. Supple.

She watched him cautiously, her eyes darkening to the color of a forest at dusk. Her hair was spread out beneath her like shiny scraps of silk. Despite the cut on her temple and the smudge of dirt on her chin, he thought he’d never seen a woman look so thoroughly beautiful.

Leaning forward, he pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I’m glad you’re all right, McNeal.”

She smiled up at him. “Thanks for saving my neck.”

“Well, you’ve got a really nice neck.” He tried to smile at her, but failed. “I’m sorry for the things I said to you back at the house. I’m sorry for the way I touched you.”

“Nick, it’s okay—”

“No, it’s not. I had no right.”

“I’m a big girl. I knew what I was doing.”

“You were upset when you left my house. I did that to you. I don’t know what I would have done if you’d been…” Before he could finish, a choking wave of emotion hit him. He straightened, but suddenly he couldn’t speak. His throat locked up. His insides turned to jelly. The shakes hit him with the violence of an earthquake. As the first shivers went through his body, he knew just how deep his feelings for this maddening, recalcitrant woman had become.

“Nick?”

He stared at her, aware of the softness of her flesh beneath his fingertips. The slight tremble of her slim body beneath the blanket. She’d come so close to death…. His control hovered just beyond his reach. A jab of panic made him pull his hand away from her. His tremors deepened. His stomach clenched. He didn’t want her to see him like this.

Without answering, he rose and walked toward the Suburban. His chest was so tight he could barely breathe. His legs felt wobbly. On reaching the truck, he put both hands against the hood and leaned forward. He felt nauseous, as if someone had kicked him in the gut.

“Nick.”

He didn’t answer. Didn’t turn around to look at her. Didn’t even have the strength to tell her to stay away. He just stood there breathing hard, sweating, fighting the panic and whatever else gripped him so tightly that he couldn’t move without falling into a heap at her feet.

“Hey,” she said gently, “are you okay?”

He jumped when she came up behind him and put her hand on his shoulder. He wanted to tell her to get back under the blanket. To lie down because she could be in shock and not even realize it. That she could have a spinal injury or a head injury and have yet to feel the pain.

Instead, he leaned against the truck, shaking, unable to face her because he didn’t want her to see the truth his expression held. “Stay away,” he said in a low voice.

“What’s wrong?”

“For crying out loud, McNeal, you shouldn’t be up and walking around.”

“I need to know if you’re all right,” she whispered.