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There wasn’t much else to do, so they headed back to the car. Once back at the sawmill, they took the golf cart back down the trail. The mood was quiet and somber as they returned to the lodge.
Inside, Flynn guided Tessa to a chair. “Sit. I’ll grab some icepacks and put on some tea.” Lia didn’t know what had happened to Tessa, but from her gait and speed, it was obvious her body had experienced some serious trauma. Lia hoped she’d had a good surgeon.
The thought brought on the usual sadness that came with remembering she would never operate again. Would never be in the position to help people in the way she’d been trained.
Lia moved to the window and looked out at the lake, wishing life was as peaceful as the vista in front of her. She felt Joe’s arrival moments before his arms wrapped around her and he tugged her back into his chest. “Okay?”
She started to nod automatically, but decided the truth was better, so she shrugged. “I don’t know. The thought of someone targeting you terrifies me. We’re just getting to know each other and I’m afraid I’m bringing danger your way. I think it would be safer for you if I left.”
Joe squeezed her tightly and kissed her temple. “This conversation is too important to have here. Can we head upstairs for it?”
She nodded and turned. He took her hand and they moved to the stairs. When they got to the top, he led her into his room and closed the door behind them. Without letting go of her hand, he walked over to the big armchair in front of his window. He scooped her up and then sat in the chair with her in his lap.
The move had her smiling, despite the seriousness of the conversation. “Smooth move.”
He grinned back. “Okay, tell me how you’re really feeling.”
“I did. I’m scared that my presence is somehow causing someone to target you. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
His eyes softened. “Same. I don’t know what this is, but your safety is my first priority.”
She shook her head. “I’m not the kind of person who causes big swings of emotion, Joe. I didn’t realize it until the injury made me take a good hard look at myself, but I’ve led a pretty pathetic life. When my foster mom died, I turned my entire attention to my studies. She’d been so proud that I was aiming to be a surgeon. For the past decade, I’ve really done nothing but study and work. There’s no reason for anyone to be interested in me.”
Saying the words out loud was embarrassing, but she wanted him to know the truth. And to keep himself safe.
Joe lifted his hands and cupped her face. When he spoke, his voice was fierce. “There isn’t a single thing about you that’s pathetic. You’ve worked your ass off for years and your reputation as one of the top trauma surgeons in the country is well-deserved. When we were investigating the issue with Sneaks, every person we spoke to sang your praises.”
Then he smiled wryly. “Well, except Larry, but he’s an asshat, so we’ll discount that.”
That surprised a laugh out of her. “He really is an asshat.”
“Your vision has been narrow, but I think that’s a side effect of your job. A job like that takes incredible focus and determination. Please don’t think of yourself as anything other than remarkable, Lia, because you are.”
No one had ever said anything like that about her. Tears filled her eyes but she managed to suck them back before they fell. His belief in her buoyed her in so many ways.
She leaned up to kiss him. Gratitude and comfort fled from her consciousness as their lips touched and desire swamped her. She wanted Joe. All of him.
Chapter 10
Makes You Stronger
Lia wanted to be even closer to Joe, so she shifted her position until she was straddling him in the big chair. Her knees sank into the cushions and when she settled, her core pressed to his groin, making them both groan.
Joe’s hands went to her hips and brought her even closer. Lia rested her hands on his shoulders and tried to draw in a breath. Even through the layers of clothing, her body reacted to the intimate touch.
The tingles that zipped across her skin every time they touched ran through her entire body, making her weak as a kitten and strong as a dragon at the same time.
She brought her lips back to his and kissed him while she continued to move on his lap.
Joe kept one hand on her hip, encouraging her to move, while the other slipped under the edge of her borrowed dress and up her thigh.
Slowly, so slowly she thought she might combust from the light touch alone, his fingers moved closer and closer to where she wanted them.
Her head dropped back so she could focus on the sensations.
Joe’s lips moved to her throat while his fingers slid beneath the dress to her panties. He traced along the edges. Up and down. Back and forth.
Breathing seemed overrated as her entire being focused on what his hands and lips were doing.
