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“I’d rather talk to him myself.” I lifted the cup and drained it. “Is there a phone I can use?”
. With a sympathetic smile, she pulled her phone from her pocket. “I’ll step outside while you make your call.”
She left the door ajar. Once alone, I opened the phone app and stared at the numbers. They blurred and moved, swimming in and out of focus. Swearing, I put down the phone and rubbed my eyes. That’s when the burn of tears started.
“No,” I muttered. I would not break down and cry here.
A horrible ache settled in my chest. The more I fought the tears, the bigger that ache grew.
A soft sound at the door had me stiffening. I lurched off the miserably hard gurney and turned away, as several tears spilled free.
“Give me a few minutes,” I said, wiping my face with the back of my hand.
“I don’t think so.”
I spun around and saw James through a blur of tears.
He reached for me and then I was in his arms, my face pressed to his chest. I wrapped both arms around him, clinging in desperation. His forearm was a solid brace against my lower back as he cradled the back of my head in his free hand.
The flood gate had opened and a hard sob ripped free, then another.
James kissed my temple and murmured–the words too low to hear. It didn’t matter. The warm, soothing rumble of his voice, his firm chest, was what I needed. He washere. I was here. I’d gotten away, and I was safe.
At some point, he swept me into his arms. Cuddling closer, I clung to him.
Minutes passed and still, I cried. Nothing mattered but his arms around me.
Eventually, the storm of tears faded and the words he was speaking made sense.
“It’s okay now,” he whispered against my temple. “It’s okay. I’m here, Tina. It’s okay.”
“I…I don’t nuh-know why I kuh-keep crying.” My voice was hoarse, thick with tears that wouldn’t stop. “I’m okay.”
“Damn straight.”
I sensed he was smiling.
“I’m fine.” Chest tight, I dragged in an unsteady breath.
“Of course you are,” James murmured. “You’re more than fine, from what I hear. You’re a justifiable badass. Saved your own ass and put both Simone and Golden on theirs.”
The sound that tore out of me was a mix of laughter and sob. I finally felt steady enough to pull back. His eyes were dark and intense, his hand comforting as he stroked the hair from my face.
“Trust me,” I said. “It’s not really that impressive. Neither of them are criminal masterminds.”
“Good thing.” Hand cradling my chin, he leaned in until his brow was pressed to mine. “The past day…Tina, I’ve never been so fucking scared in my entire life.”
The raw emotion in his voice hit me square in the chest. “I’m sorry.”
His hand was suddenly in my hair and his mouth on mine, the kiss desperate and deep. His hunger sparked my own. Curling my arms around his neck, I pressed closer, but he pulled back. I gave him a questioning look.
“Easy, baby,” he said. “There’s plenty of time for that. Plus, you just had a harrowing experience.”
Giggling, I slowly let go of his neck. I didn’t pull away, though. I cupped his face in my hands.
“You’re right. And I need a shower.” I wrinkled my nose. “I probably stink. I was so damn hot and sweating like a pig...and so damn thirsty…”
“I don’t think pigs really sweat.” James rubbed my lower lip. “Fuck, Tina, when I found out what happened…”