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“What ever happened to the knife they took out of me?”
“Sent to forensics for fingerprinting.”
“I wish I had gotten more answers from my attacker.”
“Thank god you didn’t spend more time with him, Alexia. I can’t stand the thought of what might have happened. It’s bad enough as it is.” He studied her face.
“Are my lashes really ugly?”
Tenderness flooded his eyes. “No, princess. You can never be ugly. They’re just spotty, but they’ll grow back quick.”
She nodded and snuggled close to him again. “There’s always the lash extension artist that Guns hooks up with.”
“I’m willing to treat you.”
“You better be joking, Bryson Tripp!” She pinched his side hard, making him yelp and jump, but it was worth the slight pain in her wound when he did.
“I’m joking, love. Just know that I’ll do anything in my power to make up for—”
She grabbed his face. “Hold up. You think what happened to me is your fault?”
His jaw flexed.
“You do! Bryson, you weren’t my bodyguard. I neverneededone.”
“But I should have been there to protect you. I let you—”
“Walk across a small-town grocery store parking lot alone in broad daylight? Yes, you did. And so would any other man on the planet, trained or not. We had no reason to think anyone was after me. Besides…women can walk anywhere we want without a man’s permission.”
Her stomach took a sharp dive every time she thought about what might have happened to her if she hadn’t broken free.
“I hate that the ranger died for me.” Her words came out small.
“He was doing his duty. Any person in uniform…every one of us, Alexia…we know what we’re getting into. That park ranger heard you knocking around and reached for his radio to make a call for backup because he believed in saving you.”
“He lost his life for me.”
His stare pierced her. “I’d do the same. Over and over again.”
The fervor in his voice sent goose bumps skittering over her arms. She cradled his jaw and cuddled against his chest.
“I’m in love with you.” She whispered the admission.
When he ducked his head to capture her mouth, she felt the same words echoing through the caress. And when he broke away, she read it in his gaze right before he gave her the words.
“I love you.”
“Oh, Bryson—”
“Even though you hit me with your SUV.”
With a hand on his chest, she pressed him back an inch. “You’re not seriously still holding that against me.”
“You know, my leg’s been bothering me.”
She gave him another shove, hoping he’d fall off the hospital bed so she could laugh at him. A giggle erupted from her. “Maybe you can find a doctor and get it looked at while you’re here!”
“I will. Later. After I kiss you.” He claimed her mouth again in a long, tongue-tangling kiss. The heat low in her belly turned into a pressure between her thighs.
