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“You okay there?” Kiera placed a hand on my back, rubbing circles.

My back muscles relaxed instantly. She could smooth out my day with a simple touch. “I’m okay, but I need you to stay at the hotel tonight.”

“Why?”

I gestured to the damaged area. “Right now, we don’t know who sent the explosives or why. I want you where I can see you. The campground isn’t safe compared to my hotel.”

“I don’t want to impose.”

I placed a hand on either side of her shoulders. “You’re not imposing. It’s my hotel.”

She twisted her lips, thinking. “Do you have a lot of enemies?”

“Are you worried about me?” My chest warmed.

Her eyes sparkled with amusement. “Well, if something should happen to you, I want to make sure you donate the black opal table to me. Since I christened it, it has my energy.” She smirked, trying to make light of the situation, and I wanted to kiss her for that.

“I’m not a saint, Kiera. I’m an entrepreneur who also dwells in the medical world. So my enemies are extensive.”

I shouldn’t have said all of that because anxiety filled her eyes, along with questions. But she didn’t ask any of them.

“Don’t worry about it.” I draped an arm around her shoulder, guiding her to the car. “My other businesses garner more profits than this farm. It could have been kids playing a stupid prank. They do shitty stuff for exposure on social media.”

My statement landed on her, and she sighed. “That’s true. The news said Texas’s crime rate had increased by eighty percent compared to previous years. That’s scary. The city officials should do something about it.”

We walked toward my car. “If you want change, vote for the right people and make sure they’re not easily bought by companies or other donors waiting in the wings with an agenda.”

“The world is a frightening place.”

We stopped beside my car, and I wrapped my arms around her, wanting to protect her. “It is. But it’s not so bad if we have each other. Right now I have you in my arms, and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

She smiled and rested her head on my chest. “You’re the sexiest farmer I’ve ever met. So when are you going to wear overalls for me?”

I laughed. “When you wear a sexy librarian outfit for me—a very short skirt, an oversized cardigan over a low-cut tank top, with black-rimmed glasses, and high heels.”

I loved she could make me smile amid stress and uncertainty.

“Your description is clear, but stereotypical. Not all librarians look like that.” Her eyes glinted with amusement.

“Then show me your version. Enlighten me.”

She drew back, arching a sexy eyebrow. “I didn’t know you had a librarian fetish.”

“I only developed it after meeting you—after you called me a nerd.” I leaned down and whispered, “I’ve got more fetishes that I want to show you in my bed.”

“Make sure you’re not delinquent on any book borrows. You’ll have to pay,” she said with a straight face.

“I’m willing to pay you in sexual pleasures that would make the books on your shelves orgasm. I’ve got a severe case of Kiera Syndrome, and you’re the only one who can help me with it.”

“And what do you suggest is the first step in treating this syndrome?” she asked, forming a little pout.

“I need to fuck you every night.” I nibbled her earlobe. “If you’re an incurable syndrome, I don’t ever want to be cured.”

She slapped my chest and laughed. “You’re so corny.”

“It made you laugh, didn’t it?” I ran my finger over her lips. “Smiling and laughing are the only things I want to see on your face.” I opened the car door for her.

She settled in the seat and crooked a finger, looking serious. “Come here.”