Mind of Danger (Body of Danger #3) - Sidney Bristol Page 0,47

held on tight to him

“What are you doing here?” she asked.

“Boss didn’t think I should get in the way. I couldn’t get a hold of you, so I figured you’d end up back here, eventually.” He stroked her back and the whole world just felt better.

“You’re smart.”

“I try.” He tugged on a piece of her hair and she lifted her face to look at him. “Are you okay?”

“Bruised ribs. No concussion.”

He nodded and blew out a breath. “Oh, I saw your box for your mom. Took it down the road and had it shipped for you. Last chance to get it there before Christmas. Still might not make it, but at least it went out before, right?”

“You—Elias.” She frowned at him while her insides were so warm and fuzzy she wanted to crawl out of her own skin. What was she supposed to do with these feelings? She was not a feelings girl.

“It gave me something to do, okay? I’m a behind-the-scenes guy. It’s kind of what I’m good at.” Behind his words, she could see the worry in his eyes. He’d kept himself busy, waiting patiently for her to show back up.

Could he be more amazing? Did she deserve him one bit?

“Thank you,” she said.

Jo leaned in and kissed him gently this time. Her heart still sped up and she couldn’t help but hold her breath. It was all so new and precious to her. Elias sat up a little, holding her close while his lips moved against hers in a hungry kiss.

Part of her wanted to draw this out, lose herself in the kiss and what came next, but that wasn’t addressing the issue. She and Elias weren’t really anything to each other. Not really. Not yet.

It was time to talk about that, and she didn’t know where to start or what to say, only that she needed to woman up and stop wishing for something she could actually have. But first she had to be brave.

Jo sat back and for a moment she stared into Elias’ tired eyes. She’d thought she was in love with him before. That past affection had nothing on what burned inside of her now. And he deserved to know that. She just had to figure out how to say it.

She stood despite his reluctant tug. Knowing him, his hip and knee were killing him and he’d rather say nothing about it. Silly, stubborn man.

Instead she dragged the other chair around to sit so close her knees touched his seat and his legs bracketed hers. She took his hands and held them, unsure what to say or how to start.

“They get the data and everything?” he asked.

“Yeah.” She nodded. “Seems like everyone was so focused on us tumbling out the window that SWAT came in from behind and got everyone without a shot fired. From the sound of it, they’re working on one, huge case now to go after Giovanni’s parents. It’s going to be a big deal.”

Elias frowned. “What does that mean for you?”

“Me?” She chuckled. “Absolutely nothing. I did my part. They might need me to testify, but I’m done. I’m so done and glad for it.”

“Oh. Good.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.

The gesture caught her off guard. Once again, she didn’t know how to act or respond. It seemed silly to do the same thing to him and equally unfair she didn’t return the act.

“I’m completely out of my depth right now,” she blurted.

“With the case?” he asked slowly.

“No. Right now.” Fire crept up her neck.

“Oh.” A slow smile spread across Elias’ lips.

God, she could look at him, smile all damn day and love every second of it.

“What does that look mean?” Her voice sounded so whiney, yet she was tired, her body hurt and her heart was making her bruised ribs ache.

“What do you want it to mean?” he asked in a deep, sultry voice that warmed other parts of her body.

Jo felt as though she were about to come apart at the seams. Her mind screamed at her to batten down the hatches and protect herself. But from what? Elias? The man who’d literally shielded her with his body and taken a bullet for her?

“I, um...” She licked her lips. “I want to know what you think. I mean, feel, about...us?”

Being brave was damn hard sometimes.

FRIDAY. MARJORIE’S Home, Newark, New Jersey.

Elias knew he should back off, give Jo space. She’d been through a lot tonight, and yet every time he closed his eyes he saw