If We Dare - J.H. Croix Page 0,34

time in hours, a smile split across Walker’s face. “If I recall,” he drawled, “the last time you found yourself in the middle of a fight, I had to help you out.”

I threw my head back with a laugh, just before reaching to snatch the keys out of his hand. I nudged him on the shoulder and even opened the passenger door for him. He rolled his eyes, but he climbed in.

Once I was in the driver’s seat, I adjusted the seat and took a gander at the dashboard and various controls before tapping the start button.

“Are you one of those guys who worries about someone else driving your truck?” I asked conversationally as I put it in gear and slowly backed out of the parking space.

He chuckled. It said something about the depth of my attraction to him that despite how out of place it was and despite how weary we both were, the mere sound of his gruff laugh sent a prickle down my spine and heat racing over the surface of my skin.

“No. I’m not one of those guys. If it was a stick shift and you couldn’t drive that, well, then I might be worried.”

“It’s not a stick shift, but I could handle it if it was. My father insisted Lucas and I learn. It was only a few years ago that Lucas finally got over his snobbery about that and got a regular automatic truck.”

Walker laughed again. “I get it. I was the same way. Damn stupid. Shifting gears takes work.”

After I turned onto the road that would take us back to the wedding hotel, I commented, “I’m glad Dave’s going to be okay.”

I felt Walker’s sigh to my depths. It was so heartfelt when his head fell back against the seat. “Yeah. He’s like a brother to me. Thanks again for waiting with me tonight.”

“Anytime.”

We fell into silence for the remainder of the drive back to the hotel.

Chapter Fifteen

Jade

Walker was asleep when I parked the truck. Moonlight fell through the window, illuminating his profile. He was a beautiful man with strong, sculpted features. The tension he usually held in his features was gone in sleep. I wanted to lean over and kiss his cheek.

I didn’t. I was unsettled tonight, completely thrown off my axis. Between experiencing my first climax with a man, and then being present on the heels of a frightening emergency, it was a lot to take in. I’d glimpsed the vulnerability that lay behind Walker’s quiet exterior. It felt as if someone had taken tiny pry bars to the walls I’d built around my heart.

That unsettled feeling drove me to leap out of the truck, catching myself in time before I slammed the door behind me. Rounding to the passenger side, I opened the door quietly. “Walker.” I shook him gently on the shoulder.

He mumbled something in his sleep before falling right back into it. I shook him again, this time saying his name at a higher volume. I’d carry him if I could, but I knew that was impossible.

“Huh?” he mumbled as his eyes finally opened. He rolled his head to the side, opening his eyes slowly. “Did I fall asleep?”

I smiled. “Yep. Come on, let’s get you to bed.”

A few minutes later, we were back in the hotel room. Walker kicked his shoes off, stumbling slightly. I caught him at the elbow to steady him. “You need to get in bed.”

“That’s what I was aiming for,” he muttered with a sleepy smile.

Without further ado, he yanked his T-shirt off and shoved his jeans down, basically falling onto the bed as he kicked them free of his feet. Meanwhile, my mouth went dry at the sight of a shirtless Walker. Dear God. The man needed to come with a list of warnings—might blind you with hotness, don’t touch or you’ll get burned, melting imminent. Something along those lines.

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath as I turned away. I made sure the door was locked, and set my purse down on the dresser. Walker was already sound asleep. He’d managed to crawl up to the pillows, but he hadn’t even gotten under the covers. The sheets and comforter were still rumpled from our earlier encounter. He was half on his stomach with one knee bent up and his elbow tucked under the pillow. Jesus, even his ass was all muscle. His back was cut and every muscle was delineated even when he was relaxed.

As my eyes trailed down his