The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1)(55)

Something else his friends had nailed? Jase had feelings for her. Feelings he could no longer deny.

With the admission, a bright light suddenly shone inside his mind, chasing away the darkness, causing the monsters of his past to hiss and run for cover, letting him confirm what he’d suspected. His armor had indeed been cracked, and Brook Lynn was the cause. She had somehow burrowed deep, deep inside him, and he might not ever be able to pry her loose.

Panic rose, swift and sure. One day, he would lose her. That was just plain fact. If she didn’t meet someone else, she’d have questions about what just happened. Even if he managed to omit the worst of the details, she would eventually find out about his prison stint, about what he did to Pax. She could grow to fear him...hate him.

He could have lost Brook Lynn today, even. He could have done serious damage to her, without even realizing it. Still could, if ever he lost control again.

Can’t take that risk.

He managed to pull himself together and stomp inside the house. Now wasn’t the time for brooding. It was the time for action. He found Brook Lynn in his bathroom, standing by the sink.

She’d anchored her mane of pale hair into an adorable ponytail, two tendrils hanging over her ears. She’d washed her face and changed into one of his shirts.

How was she more beautiful every time he saw her?

You know what you have to do. He did, but first things first. “I’m sorry I scared you, honey.”

“Don’t worry. I’m over it,” she said.

At least she hadn’t tried to deny her fear. “Good. That’s good.”

“I hear a but.”

Just do it. “I hate to say this, but...you’re fired.”

“No, I’m not.” She motioned to the closed toilet seat. “Sit.”

“I’ll still pay you,” he said.

“Of course you will. Because I’m still working for you.”

“Brook Lynn—”

“Jase.” She anchored her hands on her hips. “You don’t like what just happened. I don’t, either, but now we know it’s a possibility. We’ll be on guard against it and handle it better if it happens again.”

So that was it? No questions about what had caused it to happen in the first place?

Far, far too good for me.

The ache he’d by now grown used to intensified, sharper than ever before, as if it had sunk deeper inside him, spread and taken up more space—but he sat.

She cleaned the wound with soap, water and then peroxide. Blood continued to leak from the long slit that stretched from his index finger to his wrist, and though her touch was gentle, every bit of pressure stung. He’d endured worse countless times before, so maintaining a neutral expression wasn’t difficult. He’d never allow her to feel guilty about hurting him.

The fact that she’d stayed to help baffled him. Thrilled him. Even humbled him. He felt as if she might actually...care for him.

How was that possible?

After she squeezed antibiotic cream on the injury and wrapped a bandage around his hand, she studied her handiwork and frowned. “I’m clearly not a medical professional. You probably need stitches.”

“Nah. The cut isn’t that deep.”

She met his gaze with a gentleness that confused him. “How do you know?”

“I just do.”

“Jase.” She crouched between his legs. “We need to talk.”

Words every man dreaded, but she was so close he could smell the sweetness of her scent, feel the sensual heat of her, and both short-circuited his brain waves. He had to grip the sink on one side of him and the tub on the other to keep his hands away from her.

Tension grew between them, sharpened, until it was utterly unbearable. He imagined his mouth on hers and had to cut back a groan. He imagined his fingers trailing over her curves and had to cut back a plea.

He was clean. He even had the paperwork to prove it. He could take her, thrust inside her and—

“Be honest with me,” she said quietly.

Reason returned, and he tensed. Here came the questions.

“Were you a cop?”

Wait. What? “A cop?”

She nodded, the ends of those pale tendrils caressing his thighs.

“Why would you think that?”

“Okay, I’ll take that as a no.” Her mouth tugged into a frown. “Were you in the military?”

Understanding suddenly dawned, bright and devastating. She thought he had PTSD because he’d defended his country. She wanted to think the best of him, probably couldn’t even conceive the horrors that had led to the incident outside.

How disappointed she would be when she learned the truth.

Another reason to get rid of her.

“Brook Lynn,” he said and sighed. “It’s time for you to go.” He’d beg her if necessary.

She shook her head, stubborn. “No way. I’m staying until either West or Beck return. I’m not leaving you on your own.”

The ache...so much worse. “It’s just a cut.”

“And it could open up again, and you could pass out, bleed out.”

“It won’t. I won’t.”

“Jase,” she said, raising her chin with more stubborn determination. “The only way you’re getting me out of this house is if you carry me kicking and screaming.”