Page 18 of Stormswept Colorado (Hart County #3)

“Didn’t feel courageous. I sneaked away. Didn’t even wait for Lori to get home. It felt like my only choice. ”

There was more to it than I’d said. But it just hurt too much to go through every horrible thing about that night. I’d never told anyone those details, not even my sister.

I was shocked I’d said as much as I had to Teller. My body trembled with the force of it.

“But you went to New York City, right? All on your own. That took guts. You survived, and you built a career for yourself. Now you’re one of the most talented and respected women in the world.”

“Yet a shitty anonymous message referring to my past can tear me down. Like I’m still that scared kid inside.”

Teller’s fingers hooked my chin. Lifted it so our eyes met. “I have never met anyone as resilient as you are. Or so determined. You’re not afraid to make trouble when there’s a good reason. I admire that about you.”

“A lot of people might be surprised the chief of police approves of troublemaking.”

“Well, sometimes I do. Your bravery blows me away. You stand up night after night in front of thousands of people and you show them who you are.”

“Do I? What if I don’t know who I am at all?” I couldn’t believe I’d admitted that to him. Maybe it was the quiet stillness around us, the shadowed light. And the kind things he’d said.

“All I can tell you is what I see. You are…Ayla, you’re breathtaking. No one can take that away from you.”

A small whimper escaped my lips. Why did praise from him feel so much more significant than anything I’d ever received? “Thank you.”

“I hope I don’t remind you of someone who hurt you.”

“ No .” I shook my head emphatically. “You’re pretty much the exact opposite. Military guys tend to make me nervous, not going to lie. That’s been true for a long time. But I know you’re nothing like him.” Nothing like Sergeant Carpenter either.

Teller wasn’t like anyone I’d met before .

“You didn’t know that at first, though,” he said. “When we met, I was kind of an ass.”

I laughed, even though I still felt raw and vulnerable from everything I’d confessed. “I know you better now. You’re one of the good ones, aren’t you?”

“Trying to be. Every damn day.”

I dipped my head, feeling shy again. “I might even like you.”

“You like me, huh?”

“Might.”

“Well, I like you too,” he rasped. “Very much. Maybe too much.”

“How much is too much?”

“Enough that I’m not sure I trust myself.”

“I trust you.”

“I know. And I know what an incredible gift that is. You are a gift.”

The whole SUV was probably covered with snow by now. We were in our own tiny world, just us. My breaths were shallow, taking in the scent of him with every breath. Pure masculinity.

Teller was a very attractive man, and I’d noticed that before, but suddenly I couldn’t think about anything else.

In my regular life, I was surrounded by good-looking men on a daily basis. Models and back-up dancers, movie stars and fellow musicians. But none of them ever made me respond this way. A flood of intense want that tightened my nipples and throbbed in my clit.

In my past, feeling small had been the same as feeling worthless. Weak. But not with him. Not even close.

Teller’s size and his sheer presence overpowered me in a whole new way. He made me feel powerful because this strong, charismatic yet gentle man had every ounce of his attention fixed on me.

I could follow anywhere he would lead, and he’d make sure everything was alright. He would take care of me.

Tentatively, I brought my hand to his broad chest. Moved it upward to his shoulder, where I’d been massaging him earlier. “You have scars here too?”

“I do.”

“You said your scars don’t hurt. But what do they feel like?”

“The skin is desensitized now. I can still feel plenty, though.” There wasn’t anything flirtatious about how he’d said that, yet another pulse of arousal made its way down my body.

“Does it feel nice for someone to touch you there?”

He pressed his lips together, and at the same time, his eyes darted down to my mouth. “Find out if you want.”

I carefully touched his scarred cheek again, and Teller brought his hand up, covering mine. His head moved slightly, rubbing the skin of his cheek against my palm and making me shiver.

“Does feel nice. But how are your fingers still so cold?” he murmured.

“Maybe you didn’t do enough to warm them up.”

Without breaking eye contact, Teller brought my hand to his mouth. He closed his lips around my pointer and middle finger. His mouth was hot. His teeth nipped me.

Oh, God .

I whimpered again, but this one was a desperate sound made of pure lust. “ Teller .”

He groaned, eyes sliding almost closed. “When you say my name… You don’t know what that does to me.”

“Show me.”

He came closer. Leaning in.

But at the last second, he stopped and wiped a hand over his face.

“Fuck. Fuck . What am I doing?”

“I thought maybe you were going to kiss me.”

He bent forward, elbows going to his knees, and scrubbed his fingers through his short hair. “After what you just told me? And we’re in my department vehicle. I’m in uniform, and I’m supposed to be looking out for you, not taking advantage of you. ”

“I wasn’t objecting.”

“That doesn’t make it okay. I should have more control than this. I am so far over the line right now, Ayla. Way over the line.”

“Then take me with you.”