Dream Of You - Jennifer L. Armentrout Page 0,26

his hand to the center of my back.

He cast me a knowing side-look as we stepped onto the sidewalk. “I want someone to get out here quick. I don’t like the idea of the window being like that for long.”

“Me neither. I feel like—”

A loud pop caused me to jump and lose my grip on my purse. It slipped from my fingers, falling to the pavement as I whipped around. Heart racing, my frantic gaze searched for the source of the sound, terrified I was about to come face-to-face with the bald man.

He wasn’t there.

“Are you okay?” Colton placed his hand on my shoulder, turning me toward him. Concern was etched into his handsome face. “Abby?”

“Was that a…a gun?” The moment I spoke the question, I already knew the answer. If it had been a gun, I doubted Colton would just be standing there. “I’m sorry.” My cheeks burned as I looked away. “I know that wasn’t what that was.”

“It was a car backfiring. Probably down the street.” His hand curved around the nape of my neck and he guided my gaze back to his. “I get it.”

That was all he needed to say and I believed him. Nodding slowly, I forced an even breath in and then out. “I guess…I’m just a little jumpy after Friday. When I heard that, I thought…”

“I’m not surprised.” His hand shifted and he curled his arm around my shoulders, drawing me to his chest. “You freaking amaze me, Abby, with how you’re holding it together after Friday, but I know it has effected you and that’s okay. That’s normal.”

The citrusy scent of his cologne surrounded me and my heart rate slowed. The embarrassment from overreacting eased off. “Thank you.”

“There is no reason you need to thank me.” Leaning back, he brushed his lips over my forehead and then lowered his arm. He swooped down, picking up my purse. “But I want you to feel safe. Nothing is going to happen to you.”

I didn’t respond as he took my hand in his other one. Still holding my purse, he led me to where his truck was parked under a large oak tree. The leaves stirred in the warm breeze. “Reece has been keeping an eye on your place during the night and throughout the day, doing drive-bys.”

I stared at him, floored.

“It’s not perfect, but I doubt you’re ready for me camping out in your place like I want to until we get those shitheads and put them behind bars.” Stopping in front of the passenger door, he let go of my hand and opened it. “Up?”

I didn’t move, not even when he placed the purse in my hands. “You have Reece watching my place?”

“Yeah. And the other deputies know to keep an eye out.” He cocked his head to the side, studying me. “You look like I just dropped my pants.”

I liked to think I’d be rocking a totally different look on my face if he’d done that. “I’m just surprised. That’s a lot of trouble for them.”

“It’s nothing.” His gaze met mine. “And they’re glad to do it. You’re important to me. They know that.”

For the umpteenth time since he appeared Friday night, I was absolutely flummoxed by Colton. I was important to him? Since when? That question sounded like such a douche-tastic thing to think, but could he really be telling the truth? Did I have any reason to doubt that he was?

“You have that look on your face,” he said.

I snapped out of it. “What look?”

“Like you don’t believe a word I’m saying.”

My eyes widened. Was I that obvious? Holy crap. But he didn’t get it. He didn’t understand that there was a part of me, no matter how much attention or attraction he tossed in my direction or what he said, that couldn’t truly believe he really wanted all of this with me.

“That’s okay.” He tapped my hip with his hand, motioning me to get into the truck. I did just that, staring at him as he closed the door and jogged around the front. When he climbed in, he started the truck, cranking up the air conditioner. Snagging aviator-style sunglasses off the visor, he slipped them on and looked over at me. “Do you know why it’s okay?”

I shook my head. “I’m guessing you’re going to tell me?”

His lips kicked up on one corner. “Nah, sweetheart, I’m going to show you.”

* * * *

I’m going to show you.

Those words lingered in the back of my head throughout dinner, a