AllFreeNovel
Share Us
His golden-brown eyes searched hers as if trying to decide how much she could handle. “I work for WEST Protection,” he said at last.
Her jaw dropped. “It all makes so much more sense now.”
He groaned. “I should have told you in the hayloft. It’s just that…I was undercover for the Christmas on the Ranch weekend.”
“So you were on duty when we…”
He shook his head. “No. When we had sex, I was always off duty. It’s important that you know that I don’t take my responsibilities lightly. And I wasn’t blurring any lines with you at all.”
She would nod except it hurt too much. “I believe you.”
His shoulders sagged a bit. “Thank god. I was beating myself up over not explaining the situation to you. Then you showed up at the gala and… Well, I saw you and knew there was no going back.”
“Back from what?” Her voice was only a whisper.
His eyes locked on hers again. “From caring about you. From falling for you. I’m already half in love with you, Belle. Give me another thirty seconds and I’ll be all in.”
She made a noise, part desperation, part cry. When he hovered over her, his lips barely a breath from hers, he whispered, “I hope we can keep exploring what’s between us.”
Lightly, she stroked his stubbled jaw, curling her fingers to draw him closer. When his lips brushed over hers, the fire that had been between them from the very start blazed to life.
He deepened the caress, applying pressure and slipping his tongue between her lips.
Passion flowed between them, a spring that was fresh and pure like the snow on the mountain where she’d started falling in love with him.
After a long minute, he pulled back. Smoothing the hair gently off her cheek, he studied her. “I hate to say this, but you look terrible.”
She giggled. “At least I don’t have a big head.”
His deep chuckle sent shocks of more emotion through her. “I’ll get that white Stetson yet, just you wait and see.”
Her smile widened. “Your head looks average to me, Declan. Honest.”
He opened his mouth to reply, but just then a man wearing one of the cowboy hats that Declan mentioned entered the small space. His gaze wandered over her and Declan before he came forward to stand at her bedside.
“We’ve never met before, but I know of your parents. I’m Ross Wynton.”
She nodded. “I’m so pleased to finally meet you.”
“So am I, Belle. I’m only sorry it was under these circumstances.”
Her eyes darted to Declan and back to Ross. “What’s happened to Ethan and Haileigh?”
“It seems that his confession on that little video of yours got the FBI’s attention. And Haileigh is a suspected accomplice on several other crimes.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“They’re both in custody.” Ross looked to Declan. “You have this man to thank for your rescue too. That’s two in two weeks, bro. To say you’re an asset to the team is kind of an understatement after what you did to prevent that huge loss of life.”
Her eyes widened.
Declan gave a small shake of his head as though telling Ross to let it go.
“What event was this?” she asked.
Ross cleared his throat. “We can’t tell you all of it. Just know that your boyfriend here saved a very important person and prevented a lot of people dying.”
Her eyes flew wider. “Are you talking about that big attack on air traffic control last week?”
