All I've Ever Wanted - Adrianne Byrd [37]
What had she been thinking when she’d turned him down? The small voice in the back of her head answered clearly and succinctly. Her career. She had been thinking about her career.
Shame swept over her, along with regret. She wished that she could turn back the hands of time and change her answer.
She focused on their hands. Their colors were different and beautiful.
Dossman’s eyes fluttered open and, for a moment, confusion reflected in their depths. Then he focused on the woman by his side and a lazy smile curved his lips. “Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged in,” he said, then licked his parched lips.
“You should look in a mirror,” she teased, and squeezed his hand.
He laughed, then winced as pain shot through his chest. “Damn, did I survive the hit or not?”
“What do you think?”
“It sure doesn’t feel like it. It feels like someone drove a Mack truck through me.”
“I’d say, judging by the size of the hole in your chest, that’s a possibility.”
“Were you worried?” His smile widened.
Her expression grew somber. “You know I was.”
“Really?” he asked, surprised that she’d come clean so easily. “How much?”
Tears crested and followed the previously laid tracks.
“Hey.” He lifted a trembling hand and caught one of her tears in midstream. “There’s no need for these. I’m going to be just fine.”
She nodded as her smile wobbled. “I know you are.”
“Then what’s with all the tears?”
“They’re for us.”
Dossman took a deep breath, and this time ignored the pain that caused. “Are you planning on dumping me again?”
She laughed. “I don’t think so. After what happened tonight, I doubt that you’ll be able to shake me anytime soon.”
“That’s always good to hear.”
She looked down, played with his fingers as she spoke. “I keep thinking about the other night.”
“Kelly—”
“Let me finish,” she said with a stern look. “I keep thinking about the other night, and thinking that I made a mistake.”
“Don’t do this to yourself, hon. These types of situations always seem to elevate—”
“Elevate what I already feel for you—have felt for a long time.”
Dossman’s gaze caressed her face—a face he had spent the past two years loving. The adoring look she gave him touched his heart and made what he had to say that much harder. “I don’t think you made a mistake, sweetheart.”
Fresh tears glistened in her eyes and he tightened his grip on her hand.
“Everything you said the other night made sense. If we let anyone know about us, it would cost you your career.”
She shook her head.
Dossman continued. “You’ve worked too hard to throw all that away now.”
“But I’m not willing to throw us away.” She pulled his hand up and placed it against her heart. “That’s what I’m trying to tell you. If I have to choose, then I choose you.”
Dossman felt his own tears begin to surface. “You’ll regret it. I don’t ever want you to resent me, and that’s exactly what you’ll end up doing. Maybe not today or tomorrow. But you will.”
Her tears fell in earnest and Dossman patted his right shoulder for her to lay her head. When she did, he held her and shed his own tears.
“You want me to do what?” Kennedy’s eyes rounded with astonishment.
“Do you have a better idea?”
Her forehead furrowed as she searched for another solution. Her short list of friends ran through her head. Sure they would take her in, but not without asking a lot of questions. And if she involved another party, would she be placing their lives in danger, too?
Collier frowned. “Surely, you don’t think I’d harm you?”
“It’s not that.” She clamped her mouth shut, unsure of what else she should say. She couldn’t tell him that she was beginning to question her body’s response to him, or that she enjoyed those feelings.
“Then what is it?”
“Look, I just don’t think that it’s a good idea.” She shrugged, aware that she sounded juvenile.
Collier tossed up his hands. “I give up. I shouldn’t have to convince you to save your own life. But, if you don’t care, I don’t see why I should.”
Again, he bolted from his chair and headed