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He plucks a pink rose out of my bag. The arrangement is still on my desk, but I couldn't resist bringing a few blooms home with me to brighten up my apartment. "You kept them."
"Of course I kept them," I whisper.
He lifts the rose to my cheek, running the petals down the side of my face. I shiver, my eyes falling closed. That feels incredible…sensual and intimate.
"Why am I the last person you want to unmask?"
"I…."
"Tell me," he growls, the same dark command from last night in his voice. The one I can't resist. It speaks to something inside me that's desperate to obey. The same damn thing that's desperate for even a second of this man's time and attention.
"I'd never report anything that could hurt you," I blurt. "I never do."
"Fuck."
I drag my eyes open, only to slam them closed again when he backs me up against the side of the car, seaming his body to mine. And oh, my goodness. The cold steel at my back doesn't even register with the hot man plastered to my front, his erection nestled against my stomach.
"How long, Jamie?" he growls against my ear.
"H-how long?"
"How long have you been killing stories to protect me?"
I swallow. Hesitate. "Since I started my job."
It's never been a big deal before because they were never anything major. He may be mischievous, but he's a standup man. There are no skeletons in his closet waiting to spill out, no dark secrets waiting to ruin his reputation. It's always been little things like him streaking through a stakeholder meeting at the arena on a dare or him getting drunk and taking the Zamboni for a joyride through the parking lot. Things just problematic enough to cause him and the Predators embarrassment if anyone found out.
So I simply didn't cover them. There was no point. He is who he is. That doesn't mean he deserves a public lashing over it. It's his energy and his antics that make him a fan favorite to beginwith. Since I'm the only one who had the information, I let it die, just like I do for his teammates when I can. I don't want to embarrass anyone. I don't want to destroy anyone. I don't want to ruin anyone. Why is that so hard for everyone to believe?
He stands in silence for a long moment, processing this revelation. And then I feel his lips against my skin. "Come home with me, baby girl," he growls. "Don't tell me no."
I should. IknowI should.
But I don't.
"Okay," I whisper instead.
Chapter Five
Jonas
Ikeep an eyeon the car behind me the whole damn way across town, worried as hell she's going to change her mind and vanish into the city. To my surprise, she doesn't. Half an hour later, I pull through the gates at my place with her right behind me.
I park in front of the house and hop out of the truck, eager as hell to get back to her side before she bolts. She's nervous. I can't say I blame her for that. Fuck me. All this goddamn time, she's been in love with me, and I've been caught up in my own mind, in my own shit. If I could reach my own ass, I'd kick it.
I don't deserve her. Let's be clear about that right now. But I'm going to fix it. I just need her to give me one chance. That's all I'm asking for here. One chance to make it right and prove that I'm not the complete jackass she thinks I am.
"I always forget that you grew up on a ranch," she says, letting me help her from her car. She glances around my property, a soft smile on her face. "Do you have animals here?"
"I have a few head of cattle," I murmur. "And a bastard goat." I wrap my hand around hers and then turn and whistle sharply. A few seconds later, my crazy ass dogs come racing around the size of the house with the goat following behind.
"Oh my gosh." Jamie clamps a hand over her mouth to stifle a laugh.
"His name is Rufus. He thinks he's one of the boys."
Shep, Tye, and Yoda run up and immediately heel, their tongues lolling as they stare at Jamie with interest. Rufus screams his crazy head off the whole way. Unlike the dogs, he doesn't heel. He runs right up and headbutts me in the thigh, knocking me back a step.
"Rufus, chill," I order him, scratching his ears. "I'm happy to see you too."
