I get close enough. I feel his smile against my lips. “What was that for?” he asks when I release him.
“I missed you.”
“I always miss you, babe.”
He takes my hand. “You ready to get out of here?”
“Absolutely.”
We walk together out to the parking lot, his hand secure in mine. He feels so good and I love how protected I feel in his hold.
“Shane?”
“Yeah, babe.”
“I love you.”
“Love you too.”
After a week, there’s still no sign of Rick. Wherever he is, he’s flying under the radar. The police have an APB out on him and his car, but that hasn’t turned anything up. Having him out there is creepy as hell. I hate it. Worse still, life has to go on. My week off goes fast and I have to get back to work. Shane is reluctant to let me go. He would keep me wrapped up in cotton wool at the clubhouse if he could, but I refuse to be scared of going to a job I love. I want to get back to normality, whatever that looks like.
Natalie is discharged from the hospital and has been staying out of town with a friend. I call her every day to make sure she’s okay and while she’s healing physically, mentally is another matter. She’s terrified of everything and I suspect that will be the case until Rick is caught.
My brother assures me they’ll find Rick soon, but I’m not holding my breath. Maybe I should have given Shane his name and let him handle this. I have a feeling if I had this nightmare would be over for Natalie now.
I’m just getting ready to go to work when my phone goes. It’s Harmony. I filled her in on most of what was going on and Cobi told her some too. She’s been worried, even though I’ve tried to convince her I’m fine.
“Hey, how are you?” she asks.
I sigh as I sandwich my phone between my ear and shoulder, so I can rummage through my dresser for my scrubs.
“Dealing,” I admit. “There’s still no sign of this guy, which is freaking Shane out more than me.”
“I understand that,” she says. “Harlen would be the same if it was me in the firing line of this guy.”
“I know. I just want this to be over.”
“Cobi said they’re sure it was this guy who sent the threatening letter too.”
“He’s the only one who seems likely,” I say. “I can’t imagine being that unlucky that I’ve got two men mad at me.”
“You’re back to work today, right?”
“Yeah.”
“How’s Shane handling that.”
I let my eyes drift to the bathroom where I can hear the shower running. “I don’t think he is. He wants me to stay home, but I can’t have any more time off. Work is already short staffed as it is. I need to get back there.”
“I understand why he’s so on edge. I’d feel the same.”
“Yeah, I know, but nothing will happen to me in a busy ER.”
“I know, but I can see why he’s worried. Try to be careful.”
“I will. As soon as they catch him, he’s going to jail.”
“They have to catch him first.”
“Yeah, I know.” I scrub my hair back from my face as tension clutches my belly. “I’ve got to go and finish getting ready, Harm, but I’ll call you after work.”
“Okay, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
I hang up as I hear the shower switch off and pull my scrubs out. Having a drawer in Shane’s dresser should have been a big moment, but I’m mostly moved in while Rick is on the loose. That probably should have been a big deal too, but asshole Rick took that moment too.
I slip my scrub pants on and am just sliding into my shirt when Shane steps out of the bathroom, a towel slung around his hips. My mouth dries out instantly as I let my eyes drift down his happy trail to the V between his hips.
“Babe,” he sounds amused. “You need a minute?”
“I need several.”
He steps over to me and presses his mouth to mine. “We don’t have time for any of that. When you get home from work, I’m going to claim that pussy of yours.”
His dirty words go straight to my core. “You can’t get me horny before work, Shane. It’s not fair.”
He smiles, but it fades. “You need to be fucking careful today.”
“I will.”
“Promise me.”
“I promise.”
He presses his forehead against mine. “I can’t bear the thought of anything happening to you, Ames.”
“Nothing is going to happen to