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He nodded.
“Excuse me.” She walked a wide arc around him and jogged lightly up the stairs.
Jensen watched her go. He felt devastated and alone.
Saying a quick prayer for help, he yanked his thoughts from Livvy and the desire to chase her up those stairs. It was a massive effort, but he concentrated on what he needed to do. First order of business was calling Warden Geary to see if any progress had been made on the prisoner. Second would be walking the perimeter with Lieutenant Yost and determining if there were any weak spots that Treven or his men could exploit if they discovered Livvy’s location and attempted an attack.
He wouldn’t get any more sleep—or a sparring or lifting workout—today. He felt off his game and cloudy from lack of sleep and his usual routine.
He’d told Livvy last night that he’d work with her on fighting and shooting. Could he carve out time for that today? He wished he could spend every minute with her.
It had to be enough that she was safe and he was close to her. He appreciated that she understood why they couldn’t just kiss the hours away, no matter how badly he wanted to.
He had a higher purpose right now: keeping her safe and bringing the remaining Rindlesbachers to justice. He’d finally triumph over Treven and close that chapter of his life.
Why, then, did he feel so empty?
Chapter Thirteen
Livvy rushed up the stairs. She made it into her room, shut the door, and was steps from the bed before the tears traced down her cheeks. She threw herself onto the bed and let them come. Jensen had told her she was beautiful and looked deeply at her as if he cared for her, but then his ‘duty’ had to come first.
She should be grateful, as his duty was protecting her, but she wasn’t asking him to kiss her for hours on end, though she’d love that. She didn’t want to distract him from all he needed to do; she wanted Treven arrested as much as anyone. She only wanted reassurance that all she’d felt as they’d kissed hadn’t been one-sided. That she was the only one for the unparalleled man that was Chief Jensen. That they could be together someday.
Livvy straightened off the bed and paced the room. She had no clue what she’d do with herself until Treven was found, or until he somehow penetrated this safe space like he had the safe space of her home.
The next few days were the most boring she’d ever experienced. Everybody else was busy, while she had nothing to do except practice her self defense, play the piano for hours on end, and stare at Jensen when they passed in the hallway or sat down for a quick meal.
They were cordial to each other, but he kept his distance physically and emotionally. Neither of them brought up the kiss, and she didn’t break down and beg him to care for her like she did for him. A few times she felt someone watching as she played the piano. She’d turn and see him standing in his office door, his gaze filled with longing. She’d tried to beacon to him with her eyes. He’d lift a hand, and slip back into his office. Leaving her alone and dejected once again.
He gave her updates each day, but despite how busy he and his people seemed, there wasn’t much progress. Treven and Naomi were still at large. No sightings of either of them. The prisoner still wouldn’t talk. Security had been improved on Jensen’s property, and she was safe. Ramone Pitcher had come up clean, but they were still digging. None of Treven’s former friends were giving them any leads. What groceries would she prefer he order? He thanked her for playing the piano and that longing filled his eyes but he never admitted he wanted more with her.
It all came down to she was still a prisoner in Jensen’s beautiful house, and he still wasn’t interested in falling in love. He’d claimed he didn’t see her as a victim, that she was brave. Had that somehow changed when they’d kissed? She’d thought those kisses would seal them together, but apparently they’d pushed Jensen away.
At least as a self-sentenced prisoner in her own home, she’d had a huge variety of piano music not just the songs she had memorized, her students, her family coming by, her yard to work in and house to clean, books to read, and television series she enjoyed watching. At least at home she hadn’t been tortured by the man she wanted being right there, giving her longing looks but not making a move because of his idealistic moral compass or because he was intent on finding Treven. He seemed to take Treven’s escape as a personal affront.
So Livvy spent an hour every morning in her bedroom, practicing the defense moves Cap had taught her. She spent hours playing the piano, going over and over the same ten songs she had committed to memory. She paced the house throughout the day. She read through some books in Jensen’s office—Clive Cussler and Dean Koontz were the only fiction options. She liked suspense, but would a little romance be out of line? She cooked and baked. The men all appreciated that. Lieutenant Yost didn’t seem to like her and avoided her, she even heard the woman mutter about the ‘annoying piano music’. Val teased her whenever he saw her. Frank and Danson were cordial, but like the rest of the police force, they treated her with the same respect the chief got.
On the morning of the fourth day, she knew she had to get Jensen to take her outside and spend at least a few minutes with her or she would lose her mind. She put on a long-sleeved T-shirt and running tights and descended the steps. He was usually in his office, though she’d also seen him outside sparring with his men. That had been a fun show to watch. He was so lean and tough and the way he moved … ooh. It made her tingle.
Livvy approached the glass double doors of his office and studied him for a few beats. He stood with his back to her and his phone to his ear. He was dressed casually today in a gray T-shirt and black joggers. He looked mind-blowingly appealing no matter what he wore.
Should she knock, or just stare for a while? She didn’t want to interrupt his conversation.
Jensen turned, saw her, and his face lit up with an inviting smile. Livvy’s stomach hopped as he walked toward her with determined strides, his dark gaze full of her and intense, just the way she liked it. Would he let down his guard for just one moment? Let her know he cared for her, and not only as an endangered woman to protect?
Swinging the door wide, he motioned her in. She brushed too close to him as she walked in, setting off a swarm of butterflies in her stomach. He sucked in a breath, and she paused. Right in his space.
“Ray, I’ll get back to you.” He ended the call, pocketed his phone, and stared at her.
He had just hung up on the general of the army—a prince. That had to mean something. Ray can wait. If only he’d kiss her again.
“Hey,” he said, brushing at his hair.
“Hey,” she returned, staring up at him. How would he respond if she pushed him into the doorframe and kissed him for a very long time?
He stepped back and gestured to the leather chair across from his desk. “Would you like to sit?”
“No thank you.” She prayed for bravery and said in a rush, “I would like to take you up on your offers today.”
