about eighty percent of it came from Emma. You’re also pretty sensitive. You’re kind. You’re very handy to have around. You pay your rent on time. You’re extremely hot. You have a good sense of humor.”
A smile dented his cheek. “Wait a minute now. This is so unlike you. Where’s my fire-breathing Kate? Are you saying all these nice things because you think you’re leaving tomorrow?”
“Think I’m leaving? I am leaving. We went over this already.”
“Seems I have some more persuading to do.” He rolled on top of her and spread her arms to each side. He tongued one nipple and just like that, desire came flooding through her. “You left out a few things on your list of my amazing qualities. You left out my stamina.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Despite Darius’ best efforts, eventually he and Kate wore each other out. She fell asleep in his arms, looking drained and satisfied and utterly content.
He was too—almost.
The thought of her leaving tomorrow didn’t sit well with him. Not just because it felt so sudden. It also just felt wrong. Why should Kate allow these anonymous, cowardly losers to control her life? It was unfair that she should have to uproot herself all over again.
Especially when she was just starting to appreciate her roots here.
Also, selfishly, he didn’t want her to leave. He liked having her around. His whole body perked up every time he caught sight of her, or even heard her footsteps upstairs. One glance from those fiery dark eyes and he came alive inside.
Did that mean he’d been dead inside all this time? Maybe not dead, but definitely slumbering. He’d closed himself off from love and relationships and everything related to them. Hibernating, like a bear waiting out a long winter. Well, now it was spring and damn it, the world was calling to him in the sexy form of Kate Robinson.
Who thought she was leaving tomorrow. Going off all by herself to fight her battles alone, as she always had.
And that was another thing. How could she stay safe out there on her own? Here, she had lots of backup. The goddamn police chief was her best friend. Her grandmother was a badass who owned a hunting rifle. And what about him? He’d just proven himself as a bodyguard. Wouldn’t she be safer living upstairs from her personal security guard?
Wouldn’t she be even safer sleeping in the same bed with him?
The arguments went round and round in his head as he drifted off to sleep. He dreamed that he was standing guard outside a bear’s den. Inside, a mama bear playfully batted her little cub’s ears while he squealed. As guardian of the cave, his job was to watch for threats, and he couldn’t join in the fun. So he stared into the forest looking for armed strangers. It was such a lonely job, but in the dream he knew it was important.
When his phone rang, he struggled out of a deep sleep, half expecting to see that his hand had turned into a bear’s paw.
Certainly his voice sounded like a bear’s low growl when he answered. “Boone.”
It was Nate Prudhoe. “Chief, there’s a fire out at Emma Gordon’s place. We’re on the way, but I thought you might want to know since—”
He cut Nate off. “On my way.”
Kate was already blinking her way out of sleep. “Where are you going?”
“There’s a fire and they need me. Kate…” He hesitated for the merest moment, knowing how this would affect her. A fire like this was exactly what she’d wanted to prevent. She’d probably blame herself. But he couldn’t shield her from it. “It’s at your grandmother’s place.”
“What?” She scrambled off the bed, landing on her hands and knees on the floor. Frantic, she searched for her clothes. “I’m coming with you.”
No point in arguing. “Let’s go.”
She threw her clothes on with impressive speed, and they ran down the outdoor stairs toward his rig. She jumped into the passenger side, and he backed out the driveway before she’d even closed the door.
“Did they say anything else? Is she okay? What about the high tunnels? Do you know what part’s on fire? I’m gonna call her.”
“No.” He put his hand on her arm to stop her. “All she has is the land line. If you call her, she might try to answer it. We need her to stay out of the house.”
“Right, right. Is there anyone else we can call? Nate or someone? I just want to know she’s okay.”