Page 48 of Colton On Guard

“You and everyone else in Shelby,” Eli replied.

Once the door had closed behind Eli, Parker returned. “How are you feeling?” he asked, settling next to her on the couch.

She shrugged. “Okay, I guess.”

Parker took a deep breath. “I guess I should warn you. My family likes to gossip. I’m sure they’ll be talking about you staying here with me.”

“Why?” she asked. “Surely, once they find out the reason I’m here, they’ll understand.”

He shifted in the seat, clearly uncomfortable. “Yeah, they’ll definitely get it. But that’s not going to stop them from giving me hell. They all want to make this more than it is.”

While she could have pretended not to understand, she did. Slowly, she got to her feet, scooping up JB. “I’m sorry that my being here is such an inconvenience. Give me a few minutes to get packed and I’ll go stay in my own home.”

“That’s not what I meant,” he protested.

Ignoring him, she carried her dog into her room. Revis lifted his head as they passed, but made no move to follow. As she set JB down on top of the bed and reached into her closet for her duffel bag, she realized she was crying. Tears streamed down her face. Furiously wiping them away with the back of her hand, she wondered what the hell was wrong with her. Usually, she considered herself even-keeled.

“Genna, please. I don’t want you to leave. I really don’t.” Parker stood in her doorway, clearly keeping his distance.

She couldn’t blame him. She was a hot mess right now. Keeping her face averted so he wouldn’t see, she tried to pretend she was fine. “It’s all good…” she began. To her absolute horror, her voice broke. “There’s just been a lot lately.”

“It’s me,” he said, gently pulling her into his arms. “Not you. That was my awkward attempt to let you know that my family will be giving both of us a hard time, even though it’s completely unwarranted.”

Though she held herself stiffly, she didn’t pull out of his embrace. He smelled good, a combination of mint and outdoors. And the Parker she’d come to know would never be so callous. Clearly, she might possibly have misunderstood.

“Why?” she asked, finally lifting her face to his. “Why would it bother you so much if your family teases us?”

“You’re crying!” Gently, he smoothed her hair back, using his finger to awkwardly wipe away her tears. “Genna, I never meant to hurt you. I just wasn’t sure how to handle it. Obviously, I handled it wrong.”

She didn’t get a chance to respond, because he covered her mouth with his and kissed her. The kind of kiss that made her entire being melt. Deep and slow and sure, he showed her more than words ever could how much he wanted her.

When she finally broke away, they were both breathing heavily. “I was mistaken, wasn’t I?” she asked.

“Yes.” He nodded, a slight smile playing about his mouth. “I meant well, but completely botched things. What I need you to understand is that I don’t want you to leave.”

Since she didn’t really want to, for a multitude of reasons, some of which she had no reason thinking, she bobbed her head. “I’m not going anywhere.”

“Good.” His smile made his blue eyes sparkle. “It’s not safe.”

It felt like he’d tacked that last statement on for good effect. Since it happened to be exactly what she’d needed to hear, she smiled back.

“Come here,” she told him.

She didn’t have to ask him twice.

Kissing, caressing, they helped each other shed their clothing as they made their way to her bed. Just like before, when they came together, the explosive passion made her forget everything but Parker.

Afterward, he continued to hold her close. She liked that he didn’t immediately jump up, but treated her as if he thought her precious.

The realization stunned her. So much so, she pushed herself away from him and went to clean up. After that, she told him good-night, waiting while he headed into his own room to sleep. The moment he left, JB jumped up onto her bed to sleep. The little dog raised her head when Genna got in, her tail wagging.

The next morning, Genna got up and began a routine that had started to feel comfortable and familiar. She met Parker in the kitchen and nearly laughed out loud when he handed her a mug of coffee, already fixed the way she liked it.

“Thanks,” she said, her heart light. Honestly, the roller coaster of emotions that had been buffeting her almost gave her whiplash.

“You’re welcome,” he replied, drinking from his own mug. Revis lay curled up at his feet. “Are you glad to return to work?”

“I am.” She glanced at her bedroom door, wondering when JB would stir her little self. As if thinking about her had summoned her, the small dog came trotting out to the kitchen, tail wagging. She and Revis touched noses before Genna took JB outside for her morning constitutional.