Roped In (Armed & Dangerous, #2)(32)

“I’m here. I just don’t want to get off the phone. Felicity said you hated the guy you were staying with. I can’t help but worry about you.”

I chuckled. “I’ll be fine, I promise. He was only a dick at the beginning. It’s not like that anymore.”

“All right, I believe you. Just let him know I’ll kick his ass if he’s mean to you.”

I burst out laughing. “Pretty sure he would obliterate you. He’s a trained killer, genius.”

“Even so. The threat still stands.”

“Okay, superman, get your rest. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” I hung up the phone and bolted out of the bedroom. “Blake? Blake!”

I searched everywhere in the house and then headed out to the barn. When I saw Nightshade’s stall empty, I knew where he’d gone. I walked out and took up my usual spot on the fence. The sun was going down, casting a warm glow over the pasture. There were no loud noises or car horns, and the smell of the air was clean and crisp. I was going to miss it.

“He loves me, he loves me not.

Oh, how I wish I knew. We haven’t known each other long,

But when I’m with him, I feel like I belong.

He loves me, he loves me not.

My gray-eyed cowboy, I need to know.

Your heart may never be tamed, but I am not afraid.

Will you love me if I leave, will you love me if I stay.

Gray-eyed cowboy, please show me the way.”

The words flowed through my mind so easily, I completely immersed myself in them. It wasn’t until Nightshade whinnied in the distance that I was able to snap out of the haze.

Blake noticed me on the fence and guided Nightshade over, the hooves beating across the ground as they galloped to me. He had his hat so low over his eyes, I couldn’t tell if he was angry. The closer he got, the more tension I felt.

“How’s Nick?” he asked, voice clipped.

“He’s fine. Why did you leave? I would’ve ridden with you.”

He shrugged. “I needed time to think.”

“About what? You’re not mad that I talked to Nick are you? He’s my friend, Blake. That’s it.”

His jaw tensed. “That’s not why I’m pissed. I understand he’s your friend and you were worried about him. And I’m also glad to hear he’s awake, that’s great news. But you need to know, I don’t like to share. When you go back home, if you’re planning on parading around in front of the press with him, I don’t think I can do this. It wouldn’t be good for me or you.”

I nodded and lowered my head to hide my smile. He was jealous and I loved it. “Are you trying to say you want me to parade around with you?” I asked, meeting his gaze.

He huffed. “I don’t know what the f*ck I’m trying to say. What I do know is, if we’re starting whatever it is between us, then we’re going to do it right. I want the whole world to know you’re mine.”

And I wanted the whole world to know he was mine. “Once all of this is over, you’ll get your wish. But right now, you owe me a shower, or two.”

He patted the saddle and reached for my hand. “Let’s go then. I owe you a lot more than that.”





Blake

Two Days Later

I didn’t like to consider myself the jealous type, but Nick was going to be a problem. Every time Hadley called, they stayed on the phone for an hour at a time. What made it worse was, she hadn’t told him about us. The guy probably thought he still had a chance with her.

“Ready for dinner?” she called out, strolling into the kitchen.

“Yep. Which is why I already started it. I got tired of waiting on you.”

She snorted. “I know what you mean. Nick could talk for hours if I let him.”

I finished chopping the potatoes and tossed them in the boiling water. “So when are you going to tell him about us? You’re leading him on.”

Sighing, she grabbed the lettuce and washed it off. “I’m not purposely leading him on. I just don’t want to tell him over the phone. I feel guilty because he’s in the hospital over me. Not to mention, my agent is adamant on me not getting involved with you.”

“Why, because she wants you with her brother?” I snapped.

She shrugged. “Could be. But she also knows what happens to couples in our situation. The media will try to rip us apart.”

“Only if we let them.”

“Which is why we’re going to be fine,” she said, stuffing a strawberry into her mouth. “But I’m warning you, you have no clue what you’re getting into.”

I leaned over and kissed her lips. “I’m a big boy.”

She giggled. “That you are.”

My phone rang and since Hadley was closest, she snatched it up. “It’s Robert,” she said, handing it to me.

“What’s going on, my man?” I answered. Putting him on speaker, I placed the phone on the counter and sat down. Hadley sat across from me.

“We identified the prints on the lighter. We’re searching for the guy now. It looks like he skipped town a couple of weeks ago.”

“Who is he?” I asked. Hadley perked up, chewing her nails as she listened.

“His name is Dane Privette.”