what’s real from what I want to remember.” She dropped her face to his chest, stretchingher arms around his waist, just above his gun holster. His arms encircled her, protecting her. His fingertips weren’t patting her in comfort. There was a difference.
It didn’t matter if he hadn’t shared everything or not. This man was the only connection she had to her parents. The only person who knew the truth about her identity or who cared about helping her find the murderer.
“Tellme. Leave nothing out. I’ll help. I promise, Jo, I can help.”
Levi the marshal would keep her safe from murderers, but who would keep her heart safe from Levi the man?
Chapter Nine
Jolene’s fingers gently kneaded the stiff muscles in his back. A gesture she probably wasn’t aware she made, but one that made it tough for Levi to not want more. Her arms tightened around his waist. In contrast, her body melted into his.
Jo was in danger.
And not only from the men chasing her.
Levi let her slip away from his arms and turn halfway backto the window. He unclipped his holster, setting the worn leather around his firearm on the nightstand. He could give her a couple of minutes. Then they had to get out of this hotel. He was stupid to bring her back here, but where else could they be dropped off by the PD?
He faced the wall, watching her worried, confused, beautiful, expressive face in the mirror to his left.
Whateverdrew them together was getting stronger. He felt her next to him no matter how big the room was. Train compartment, police station or front porch. Colorado, Georgia or Texas. It didn’t matter.
He had to stop thinking about her as the Jo that attracted him and think of her as Emaline Frasier, the witness who wasn’t a witness. The indirect sunlight danced across her silky skin. She was stillby the window and still Joseph’s daughter.
His arms felt empty. He didn’t know what to do with his hands so he gathered the few clothes they had and shoved them into his duffel. He itched to reach out and jerk her back to him.
God, kissing her would be the most natural thing in the world.
Then again, coaxing her to the bed would be, too. Just kissing her, having her melt into himagain.
Who was he kidding? If he took her to bed, they wouldn’t leave it for three days or be dead that afternoon. They couldn’t stay anywhere long. Might have already been followed and compromised.
The bed was looking more and more inviting. As much as he wanted to, had always wanted to, having a relationship with a witness was against the rules.
Sunday dinners with Joseph? Volunteeringfor extra duty in Atlanta so you could check on Jolene yourself? That fits your definition of a proper witness rapport?
The harder he tried not to have a relationship, the more obvious it was that there was one. He didn’t have the excuse of witness protection to deflect his feelings any longer. He was suspended and she wasn’t a witness.
Yet.
He got the toothbrushes and hotel shampoobottles. When he shoved them along with his dirty shirt into his open duffel, Jo jerked to attention, wide eyes brimming with tears. She hurriedly looked around the room, as if she hadn’t seen him packing. And then she was there, tight in his arms, where she belonged.
She clung to him, sobbing. He held her, not thinking about questions, destinations or making love to her—as much as he could.
“Jo,” he said across the top of her hair—much better if he didn’t look into the deep green of her eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you the truth about your dad’s status. Or why you were off limits to me.”
“Shh. Please don’t say anything. I can’t think anymore. I don’t want to think. I just need to be right here. Just for a minute.” Her body tightened. No longer relaxed against him, shetrembled.
He’d seen the reaction before when the memories barged into her consciousness. Jolene Atkins may want to stop the memories, but Emaline Frasier was ready to let the
It didn’t matter if he hadn’t shared everything or not. This man was the only connection she had to her parents. The only person who knew the truth about her identity or who cared about helping her find the murderer.
“Tellme. Leave nothing out. I’ll help. I promise, Jo, I can help.”
Levi the marshal would keep her safe from murderers, but who would keep her heart safe from Levi the man?
Chapter Nine
Jolene’s fingers gently kneaded the stiff muscles in his back. A gesture she probably wasn’t aware she made, but one that made it tough for Levi to not want more. Her arms tightened around his waist. In contrast, her body melted into his.
Jo was in danger.
And not only from the men chasing her.
Levi let her slip away from his arms and turn halfway backto the window. He unclipped his holster, setting the worn leather around his firearm on the nightstand. He could give her a couple of minutes. Then they had to get out of this hotel. He was stupid to bring her back here, but where else could they be dropped off by the PD?
He faced the wall, watching her worried, confused, beautiful, expressive face in the mirror to his left.
Whateverdrew them together was getting stronger. He felt her next to him no matter how big the room was. Train compartment, police station or front porch. Colorado, Georgia or Texas. It didn’t matter.
He had to stop thinking about her as the Jo that attracted him and think of her as Emaline Frasier, the witness who wasn’t a witness. The indirect sunlight danced across her silky skin. She was stillby the window and still Joseph’s daughter.
His arms felt empty. He didn’t know what to do with his hands so he gathered the few clothes they had and shoved them into his duffel. He itched to reach out and jerk her back to him.
God, kissing her would be the most natural thing in the world.
Then again, coaxing her to the bed would be, too. Just kissing her, having her melt into himagain.
Who was he kidding? If he took her to bed, they wouldn’t leave it for three days or be dead that afternoon. They couldn’t stay anywhere long. Might have already been followed and compromised.
The bed was looking more and more inviting. As much as he wanted to, had always wanted to, having a relationship with a witness was against the rules.
Sunday dinners with Joseph? Volunteeringfor extra duty in Atlanta so you could check on Jolene yourself? That fits your definition of a proper witness rapport?
The harder he tried not to have a relationship, the more obvious it was that there was one. He didn’t have the excuse of witness protection to deflect his feelings any longer. He was suspended and she wasn’t a witness.
Yet.
He got the toothbrushes and hotel shampoobottles. When he shoved them along with his dirty shirt into his open duffel, Jo jerked to attention, wide eyes brimming with tears. She hurriedly looked around the room, as if she hadn’t seen him packing. And then she was there, tight in his arms, where she belonged.
She clung to him, sobbing. He held her, not thinking about questions, destinations or making love to her—as much as he could.
“Jo,” he said across the top of her hair—much better if he didn’t look into the deep green of her eyes. “I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you the truth about your dad’s status. Or why you were off limits to me.”
“Shh. Please don’t say anything. I can’t think anymore. I don’t want to think. I just need to be right here. Just for a minute.” Her body tightened. No longer relaxed against him, shetrembled.
He’d seen the reaction before when the memories barged into her consciousness. Jolene Atkins may want to stop the memories, but Emaline Frasier was ready to let the
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