I’d just made myself, I needed the physical connection. The contact with her and only her. Especially as she stood in front of me, looking as unsure as a little girl on her first day of school.
I simply had to wrap my arms all the way around her.
Thankfully, she let me.
I pulled her flush against my body and rested my cheek on top of her head. It felt as good to shield her physically as it did verbally. What could I do to get her used to the idea too? The idea of us, as more than just occasional phone calls and walls that came down only when we were desperate or drunk.
Things could be so good between us.
So damn good.
I could take care of her in more ways—in all the ways. But right now, that was just a fantasy in my mind, set on hopeless repeat.
But I had hope. Lots of it. Especially this moment.
Assuredly after I dropped the next—and more concerning—issue from Sebastian’s phone call, she’d realize just how loyal I was. How thoroughly I could be her ultimate safety zone.
“Blaze?”
“Hmmm?”
“I have to talk to you about one more thing. Something that came up during my conversation with Sebastian. As much as I don’t want to get you wound up with it, I can’t in good conscience keep anything from you either.”
Rio sat down on the edge of the bed, instantly looking exhausted. “Geez, Grant, with a lead-in like that, I can’t wait to hear what you’re about to say.” She chuckled sarcastically.
“I know, baby, I’m sorry. I really considered not talking with you about this, but that just doesn’t feel right. You can handle it though. It’s actually not new news. Not technically.” Maybe if I acted like I wasn’t that concerned, my calmness would flow through to her too. A guy could dream, right?
With a wave of her hand, she motioned to get on with it. “Let’s hear it.”
“Sebastian was the first one who called just now. And he insists he’s gotten to the bottom of the fire residue that was left behind at Sean’s accident scene.”
“The man is like a dog with a bone. I’d think he would have more important things to do with his day,” she said.
“Right?” I agreed with her thought. “Well, anyway, he’s indirectly implying you had something to do with it, and he has himself convinced I covered your tracks. I tried to get more details from him, and the bastard hung up on me.” I shook my head in disbelief. Recounting the story made it seem that much more ridiculous. “He fucking hung up on me.”
I looked up from where I’d been toeing the base of the bed frame while I spoke. The expression on Rio’s face was not what I expected. Instead of outrage on my behalf or worry for her own safety and legal standing, I was met with a completely blank stare. A few silent moments passed before I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. Maybe she was letting it all sink in before her reactionary outburst. A few seconds more, and still, she just stared off into space.
“Rio?”
With a little flinch, she finally focused on me again. “Hmm? What?” she asked.
“Aren’t you going to say something?” One Mississippi. Two Mississippi. Three—no, fuck this!
“Rio!” I said sternly.
“What!?”
“I don’t know. I thought you’d say something about what I just told you, but you’re staring off into space like you’re stoned. I mean, I get that it’s probably causing some anxiety or stress or whatever—” I dropped my shoulders, feeling so lost on how to deal with this woman. “Just talk to me.”
Restless, she stood and answered, “What’s there to talk about? If he knows, then he knows. It’s not like he’s far from the truth, Grant. Sebastian Shark can prosecute me, and then the police and lawyers can decide what happens from there.” Rio shrugged then, like she didn’t have a care in the world. “You’re really making more of an issue out of this than it needs to be.”
With that declaration, she detoured around where I stood and went to riffle through the clothes hanging inside the closet. I’d had my assistant shop for the typical concert tees and jeans she favored, a couple sundresses, a bathing suit, and a few pairs of pajamas. I figured if she needed anything else, we could get it when we hit the port in Hawaii.
Every instinct in my body shouted at me to just let it