we knew, I didn’t really care that there was a dead body in my backyard. It was more stressful that there were so many people at the house than anything else. And it can’t be normal that I care more about getting to the ranch and seeing a dog.”
He grabbed her hands she was twisting in her lap. “Bree—”
She turned to him, face distraught. “I don’t have correct emotions, Tanner. I’m broken.”
He flipped on his hazard lights and pulled the SUV over to the side of the road, then turned to her, cupping her cheeks with both hands.
“I don’t ever want to hear you say that again. Your emotions are just fine. Just because you’re not hysterical doesn’t mean you’re broken. Never feel bad for how your brilliant mind fortifies you so you can survive.”
“But—”
“No buts.” He reached between them and kissed her briefly. “You survived what would’ve broken most people. And you’re amazing just the way you are.”
He wasn’t sure if she believed him, but he meant every word. He waited until she finally nodded before releasing her and pulling back on the road again.
It wasn’t long before they were arriving at the ranch. He grabbed her overnight bag, and they walked inside.
“We both need to get a few hours’ sleep,” he said. “I’ll take the couch and you can have the bed.”
She walked toward the bedroom but turned at the door. “Come with me. Just to sleep together like before.” Those big green eyes studied him as she reached her hand out toward him.
There was nothing he wanted more than to curl up with her in his bed. But with his anger and frustration so close to the surface, he couldn’t discount the fact that he might wake up swinging. The thought of Bree being the recipient of his night terrors made him break out into a cold sweat.
“Never mind,” she said quickly, misreading his hesitation, hand falling back to her side. “You don’t have to.”
Damn it, he’d rather never sleep again than see that wounded look in her eyes from something he’d done.
He stepped toward her. “I want to. Trust me, there’s nothing I want more. But...I just don’t want to take a chance on waking you up if I get called back in to Risk Peak early.” That was at least a partial truth.
The haunted look fell away from her eyes, and a shy smile broke on her face. “I don’t mind. I’ll take a shorter amount of sleep if it means I get to sleep next to you.”
He would have given her anything in the world to keep that sweet smile on her face. He took her hand, and they walked into the bedroom together.
They took turns changing into sleep clothes in the bathroom, then got into the bed together. The act was so innocent and yet so intimate.
Tanner rolled over onto his side and pulled Bree’s back against his front. He breathed in the sweet scent of her hair as her head rested in the crook of his elbow. His other arm wrapped loosely around her waist.
She was out within minutes, her smaller body relaxing against him, trusting him to shelter and protect her while she slept. Tanner wouldn’t betray that trust, even if that meant protecting her against himself.
Besides, sleeping was overrated when he could be awake and feel every curve that had been haunting his dreams for months pressed against him.
Definitely worth it.
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