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“It’s okay, you’re safe. Everyone is safe and nothing is going to happen to you,” he soothed.
When they finally let each other go, Blake was there, making notes and questioning Rebelle, then Will. Then Will set about boarding up the smashed window of the shelter with some leftover wood panels from the cattery while Rebelle checked on each of the animals.
Knowing her past he didn’t like showing anger around her but his temper was frayed and at boiling point.
“You okay?” Blake appeared at his side as Will pounded in the final nail to the door.
Will put his hands on his hips and blew out a shaky breath. “I don’t know, man. She scared the shit out of me, running around out there.”
“Trust me, I know.” Blake snorted. “Justine did something similar to me once. I get it. But she’s fine, you’re fine and the animals are fine. We got the guy thanks to you and from talking to the officers on the case this should actually help secure a conviction.”
“That’s something then, I guess.” Will looked about helplessly, not knowing what else to do.
Blake regarded him. “She’s a strong woman. Loving her sure as shit won’t be easy but it’ll be the best thing you do. From one man with a strong, stubborninfuriatingwoman, to another.”
Will shook his head. “I don’t lo-”
“Yes, you do. It’s written all over your face, hotshot. It’s why right now you could tear the world apart and also fall to your knees and cry like a damn baby. It’s a big, beautiful emotion.”
Will turned away, feeling some of that emotion overcoming him. He put the tools back in the box and took them into the shelter with Blake following him.
“You don’t get it, it’s not meant to be. I’m leaving in a few days.”
“I get it, I do. I was a stubborn ass about it too.”
Will scoffed. “I’m not the stubborn one for once.”
Blake chuckled. “Well, halle-fucking-lujah! You’ve met your match.”
Will shot him a withering look and the sheriff stifled a yawn. “What are you even doing here? You have a newborn baby. Go home to your fiancée and child.”
Blake’s thin mouth stretched in a wide smile. “Damn, that sounds good.”
“Thanks for coming out, man. I know how much you look after her and I appreciate it.”
Blake clapped him on the back. “No worries, all part of the job.” But they both knew he went above and beyond.
Will and Rebelle closed the shelter and he walked her back to the home where she hurried over to give Daisy rubs and pats, cooing at what a good guard dog she’d been.
She glanced over her shoulder at Will. “I’m not going to apologize.”
He snorted. “I’m not surprised.”
She faced him, her skin pale from the shock of the evening, her rosebud mouth drawn thin. “I was concerned for my animals, and I made a choice to fight for them. A choice I would make over again.”
She had a fire inside her and he loved when those flames erupted, bright and hot. He was constantly amazed at the level of care she had, about anything, after all that she’d been through. She had a big courageous heart that she hid in her chest but he saw it.
“You scared me. I was concerned for you.” He knelt down beside her. “You scared me,” he repeated softly. Her face lost its fierceness and gentled. He loved her fiery side but he also loved her gentle side, her softness. Because she was so guarded it was rare to see which made it all the more special.
Heneededher softness. Will pulled her into a hug, resting his head over her heart and her fingers delved into his hair. His soul let out a sigh at the contact, the closeness.
They didn’t argue. She took him to bed where they both tried to sleep but couldn’t. She surprised him by reaching for him, pressing wet kisses to his chest that had him twisting his hands in her hair and holding her to him. He rolled over on top of her and meshed their mouths together, pouring every ounce of fear and frustration until their tongues were tangling and they were fighting for breath.
“One more time, please?” he whispered against her mouth. Usually she would have taken control by now but tonight she was leaving it up to him, like she knew he needed it.
He figured he was reading too much into it, but he had to believe that she submitted to him. She was trusting him and conceding to him, giving him what he needed once again, it had to mean something.Hehad to mean something to her.
He settled between her legs which wrapped around his hips, locking behind his back. He kissed his way down her chest, his hand sliding under her and cupping her ass, tilting her up into him. He detoured to swirl a tongue around one hard nipple, then the other. Her moans of pleasure fizzling like lightening in his veins, sparking to life through his entire body. What he’d had with her was what he’d been missing his whole life. Connection.
