his voice tender as he spoke. “So, however it happened, how quickly we got here, doesn’t matter. How I feel about you hasn’t changed except to think this is exactly how it was supposed to be, Jenny. I’m yours, if you want me. I have been for months. I will be for as long as you let me. Please let me.”
I could only get one word out as I gazed at him, awed by the passion in his warm eyes.
“Yes.”
We were snuggled on the bed, our bodies entwined. We had been talking for hours, asking questions, sharing soft, loving kisses and caresses, and basking in the closeness of being together. I told him about growing up with divorced parents, being passed back and forth, never feeling secure. He told me about being adopted. I shared more with him in a few hours than I ever had in the months I’d been with John.
I hesitated before I leaned up on my elbow and looked at Connor.
“What?” he asked tenderly. “Just ask me, Jenny.”
“Your job…”
He sat up, leaning against the headboard. “Yeah, we should discuss that subject.”
“Is it very dangerous?”
“Well, it certainly is more dangerous than working at the local bingo hall.” He grinned. “Although, I hear those old biddies get awfully handsy with their canes if you don’t call the numbers loud enough.”
I frowned at his attempt to make me smile. “I’m serious.”
He picked up my hand, his long fingers tracing the veins on the back of it as he thought it over.
“It can be dangerous, Jenny. But I’m careful. I have a good partner.” He smiled encouragingly. “Honestly, there are more days I don’t draw my gun than I do. We don’t live in a high crime city—Grimsby isn’t like Toronto. It’s not like anything you see on TV. I’m not knocking down doors every day and breaking up major drug rings. A lot of my job is helping people. I like that part.”
“But there is crime.”
“There is.”
“Do you wear a bulletproof vest?”
“Yes. We all do.” He paused and cleared his throat. “Is that something you can live with, Jenny?”
I sighed. “I’ll worry about you.”
“I’m careful. I promise. And you might not have to worry for too long.”
“Why?”
He looked almost bashful as he grinned at me. “I spent some time in the forensic lab. I really enjoy that aspect. Putting the pieces together. Working with the police investigators. Solving cases with the collected evidence. It’s usually long and tedious—again, nothing like you would see on TV, but I love it. I’ve applied to take the courses to become a CSI. If I’m accepted, I’ll take a leave of absence from the force and see where it goes. I have some good contacts at the lab, which would help once I pass the courses.”
“Connor, that is amazing!”
He nodded. “As much as I’d miss some of what I do now, I can see myself in the lab ten, twenty years down the road. I’ll miss the force, but…”
“You love being a cop, don’t you?”
His lips quirked. “Some days more than others.”
“What was that smile for?”
“Um, nothing.”
“Something, I think. Your partner called earlier, and you smiled like the cat that swallowed the canary when you were talking to him. You said you’d tell me later.”
Pouting, he leaned forward, pulling my face to his and kissing me deeply until I was breathless. “Okay.”
“Okay?”
“I’ll tell you. I just had to kiss you in case you decided not to find this funny.”
Crossing my arms, I glared. “Connor. Tell me.”
“After you passed out, I was picking up your purse, and your cell phone fell out. Your contact list was open.”
“And?”
“I looked up the jerk’s information.”
“Why?” I asked, confused.
“He hurt you, Jenny. He put his hands on you. That is unacceptable.” He shrugged. “I wanted to check him out.”
“Oh my God, did you have him arrested?”
“No. But I did find out he had three unpaid parking tickets.”
I shook my head. “He always has some. He parks that stupid car in all sorts of places he shouldn’t.” I pursed my lips. There was more—I knew it. “Connor, what did you do?”
“I, um, arranged to have his car impounded. It was towed away this afternoon while you were passed out.”
“He must have freaked out!” I gasped.
Connor nodded and grinned. “Oh yeah, he did. The idiot made it easy, though. He had it parked illegally when the tow truck arrived as well. I was told he acted like a complete ass at the impound. The only way he could get it