Rescuing Jenna - Anna Blakely Page 0,30

intrigue, cared about her.

Now she had to figure out what she was going to do about it.

You know what you want to do. So what’s stopping you?

Jenna turned off the hairdryer and slid it back into its cradle. Using her brush, she tamed the thick locks until they were shiny and smooth.

Her body slightly trembled, but she drew in a deep breath and forced herself to meet her own gaze one final time.

The corners of her lips—just the corners—curved upward into the slightest of smiles.

The eyes reflecting back at her were no longer confused or angry. Instead, they shone bright with acceptance and conviction.

It’s now or never.

With one final breath, she opened the door and stepped into a room crowded with carts filled overflowing with food.

Adrian stood near the bed, his eyes widening before skimming over her body as he took her all in. A short second later, their grays darkened as a look of smoldering heat swept across his face.

“You hungry?” He lifted his stare back up to meet hers.

There was a roughness to his voice. One that made her body ache with need.

Jenna nodded. “Yes.”

Just not for food.

Adrian cleared his throat. “I, uh…I wasn’t sure what you liked, so I ordered—”

“Everything on the menu?” she teased, hoping it might ease the tension coiling inside her.

“Not quite.” He briefly smirked. “I know it’s a lot but eat whatever looks good.”

Was that a subtle innuendo? Jenna wasn’t sure, but she hoped so. She had plans for the complicated man. Big, big plans.

But first…

“Why didn’t you kill that man?”

His dark brows turned inward. “What?”

“The man who murdered the cab driver.” She took a step toward him. “The one who almost kidnapped me. You said you shot him. I’m asking why you didn’t kill him.”

Adrian’s cobalt eyes searched hers. “I didn’t have a clear kill shot.”

“You’re a government trained hitman—”

“Former hitman.” He cut her off. “What’s your point?”

Jenna advanced on him until her bare toes were inches away from the tips of his boots.

“My point is you could’ve easily taken that man out and the driver. But you didn’t. I want to know why.”

Just say it.

But Adrian didn’t say anything. He remained silent and stoic, his gaze appearing even more tormented than normal. It was as if there was a war brewing inside him, and he was trying to choose which side to fight for.

Choose me.

His throat worked and his jaw tightened. Slowly, he lifted his strong, callused palm to her cheek.

“I was afraid my bullet would hit you.” Adrian’s thumb gently caressed her skin as he spoke.

Jenna hid the hitch in her breath. “It wouldn’t have.”

“I couldn’t risk it.” He leaned in closer. “I couldn’t risk you.”

A stretch of silence passed before Jenna whispered, “I shouldn’t want you.”

“No.” He swallowed hard. “You shouldn’t.”

“I’m a nurse. I took a vow to save lives, and you’re a—”

Adrian’s entire body stiffened, the heat in his eyes cooling instantly. “A what?”

“A killer.”

There. She’d said it out loud.

“Yes.” His voice was flat, now. “I am.”

He started to drop his hand and step away, but Jenna grabbed his thick wrist and held it there. “If I hadn’t been in the way, you would’ve killed that man trying to take me.”

“Yes.” His chest began rising and falling at a more rapid pace.

She knew what he was thinking, but he was wrong. So, so wrong.

“Why would you do that?” Jenna searched his eyes for the truth. “Why do you even care about what happens to me?”

His lips parted. “Because.”

“Because?” She snorted. “I deserve more of an answer than that.”

A muscle in his jaw twitched. “What do you want from me, Jenna?”

“I want to know why.” Come on, big guy. Just. Say. It. “Tell me why it matters to you, Adrian.”

“Because, damn it!”

“Because why?”

His nostrils flared, and when he finally did say it, his words sounded like they were being torn free from somewhere deep inside.

“Because I care!” Adrian bellowed, his words echoing off the room’s thin walls. He blinked, clearly surprised by his own admission, but then, “It matters because you matter. And I didn’t want to lose you like I lost…” He cut himself short. Brought his other hand up to frame her face. He leaned in, his lips brushing against hers as he whispered, “It matters because…I fucking care.”

He lost someone. Someone very important to him.

Her heart ached for him. Jenna wanted to ask who it was he’d lost but decided to hold off. For now.

In the meantime…

She smiled. Feeling triumphant, she rose onto her tiptoes, her