Rori was waiting for him in the living room. She looked half asleep, but she needed to be awake for a while longer because of the concussion protocols. “How are you feeling, can I get you anything?”

“I’m good.”

“How about some coffee?”

“I don’t think so. Why don’t you come sit with me?”

“I wish you would have let us fill the prescription for the pain pills. You’re going to need them, if not now, you will in the morning.”

“I’ll be fine. I hate those things they make me feel loopy.”

“Tylenol?”

“Maybe in a bit. I want to talk.” It was never a good thing when a woman said those words. It’s one of the first things men learn.

“What do you want to talk about?” he asked as he sat on the couch. She was leaning against one end, and he picked up her feet and draped them over his lap. He rubbed one foot and then the other without even thinking about it. They were such tiny feet compared to his size thirteens.

“Mmm, that feels good. But don’t try to distract me.”

“I’m not.” She was wearing a pair of sweats and a t-shirt and looked adorable with her curls spread around her shoulders. He’d love to slide his hands through all those curls while he made love to her. Just thinking about it made him need to shift position so her feet wouldn’t rest against his erection. “What do you want to talk about, angel?”

“What were you and Hank discussing? It’s not right if you don’t tell me.”

“I wasn’t trying to keep anything from you. But I was hoping to get more information first.”

“What did you find out?”

“Do you remember Jim ever talking about a twin sister?”

“I don’t think so. He has a twin?”

“Yeah, and she took his death hard. She’s been in and out of mental facilities since then.”

“Oh no. That’s horrible. But what does she have to do with me?”

“We think she’s the one behind the phone calls at least. We were able to trace them back to her.”

“Why? I’m surprised she even knows who I am.”

“As near as we can figure, she saw the piece about you and the bakery. In her twisted mind, she probably blames you.”

“But she never even met me. It makes no sense.”

“It’s probably easier to blame someone she can see than the terrorists.”

“But he was in Paris long before I got there.”

“She’s unbalanced, and that makes her dangerous. I think she’s behind all the attacks.”

“Really? She’s here, in Montana?”

“Not that we can tell. As of yesterday, she was seen in Boston. I think she hired someone to hurt you, and it wasn’t enough, so she escalated, and today she almost killed you.”

“But if she’s not here…”

“If she hired someone she’s just as culpable.” Worry wrinkled Rori’s brow. He’d only succeeded in upsetting her when he should have been trying to get her to relax. But he didn’t want to keep information from her either. Technically, he worked for her, and she had a right to know it all.

“What happens now?”

“We’re trying to track her calls and movements. Keep an eye on her and see if she’s been in contact with anyone local. There was a guy hanging around in a leather jacket today that looked out of place, just looking around, then took off without buying anything. Later I saw him when we were pulling out of the parking lot.”

“Is that why you yelled to stop?”

“Yup. I guess it was a good thing too, at least it kept you from stepping on the gas.”

“You think he’s involved?”

“I don’t know, but he was at the accident scene, but Hank wasn’t able to grab him. For me, that’s too many coincidences.”

Nodding, she chewed on her lower lip and stared at the wall. The wheels were definitely turning, and he’d give anything to know what she was thinking.

“It’s all my fault, just like I told you. If Jim hadn’t proposed, then he’d be alive.”

“You don’t know that. Don’t let his sister put thoughts in your head. He was a grown man, able to make his own decisions. He chose to be there.”

“I know, my brain agrees, but not my heart. It’s hard.”

“Yes, it is. It’s the same for us if we lose a team mate.

He put her foot down and slowly ran his hand along her leg and under her pants until he reached the scarring from the bullet wounds.

“It feels weird, right?”

“Not really, mine is worse. Does it hurt still?”

“Sometimes, mostly on cold or wet days.”

“Mine too.”

“Can I ask what happened? How you got the scar on your face and why you limp?”

“My last mission was a total clusterfuck. I can’t really tell you much, it’s classified, but I lost a good friend. I had some substantial injuries, and two surgeries on my thigh. But I’m better, just not good enough to go back to my team.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. It’s my own fault, I was distracted.” He wouldn’t tell her he’d been thinking about her. It had been his own fault, after Paris his mind just wasn’t on point like it had been and whenever he had downtime his mind wandered to thoughts of her. What was she doing, was she okay, was she happy? He’d had it bad.

“I’m still sorry. You were wonderful in Paris. I know I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t come when you did. That’s twice you’ve saved me.”

“Just doing my job.”

“Were you, today, just doing your job? You said last night you wanted more. Is that true?” What was she asking?

“Yes, I don’t say anything I don’t mean.”

“I’ve been thinking about things too. And then when we had the accident, I realized I didn’t want to die without making love with you.” Okay, he hadn’t seen that coming. The concussion, maybe?

“I’d love to, but I don’t think you’re in any shape for that right now.”

“I want you, Raptor. I need you, please don’t make me beg.” He couldn’t, he wanted her too much to make her beg. But he refused to cause her any more pain.

“Are you sure? Because once you’re mine, I’m not letting you go. I can’t. Not after spending two years trying to find you.”

“I’m sure. Raptor, please love me.”

It was sheer force of will that stopped him from taking her, branding her with his seed. Instead, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the bedroom. After pulling the comforter aside, he placed her on the bed and climbed in next to her, still fully dressed. The barrier of his clothing helped him hold on to his control. If he felt her skin against his, he’d be toast.

“Rori, are you really sure?”

“Yes, I want you so much it hurts.”

He’d hate himself in the morning if he caused her any more pain, but at least he knew it wasn’t drugs talking, maybe adrenaline though. He understood her need, her desire, he just prayed he had the strength to maintain his control.

Pulling her into his side, he kissed her. Sliding his tongue across her lips, she tasted so sweet. Taking possession, his tongue slipped between her lips and swept inside her mouth, drinking in her flavor.

Craving burned within him, pushing him to take her, to be skin against skin, to possess her until he was all she could think about. Reality was like ice water on his libido when he pulled off her t-shirt. Bruises painted her chest from the airbag and matched the ones on her face. How could she not be in terrible pain? “I don’t want to hurt you, angel.”

“You won’t, please, baby. I need you inside me.”

He stood and removed his shirt but left his jeans on. His willpower was not a bottomless well, but if she wanted him, she’d get him, just not all, not yet.

Climbing onto the bed, he straddled her legs and grasped her sweats by the waist until he’d pulled them off her legs, slowly. Like he was unwrapping an expensive piece of chocolate. She was even more beautiful than he’d thought possible and seeing her in just her bra and panties, he had trouble swallowing.

“I know I’m not beautiful or thin…”

“Shh, don’t you dare say anything bad about this body. It’s incredible, and now it’s mine, all mine, and I’m going to love every inch of you.”

She blushed, and it traveled from her cheeks, down her neck, and across her chest. He was sad that the first time he was seeing her, she was in such pain. She might be trying to hide it, but it was visible in her deep blue eyes, as was her passion. He’d make sure the desire was stronger.

Whoever had invented the front closure for bras should get some kind of award. It made life easier, and in this case, it was a life saver, as he opened the hooks and exposed two gorgeous globes of flesh. Her nipples were mauve and already hard little peaks. He’d dreamed of this moment for so long, and now that it was real it so much better than he could have imagined.

Her skin was soft, like rose petals, and tasted of cinnamon and sugar. Teasing each of her nipples with his teeth and tongue, and hearing the sound of her moans filled him with need. She was the goddess of his dreams and had come to life to be spell him. He didn’t care, he’d gladly pledge the rest of his life to love every part of her.