Page 40 of Savage Peril

“You are the kindest man I’ve met.”

“You don’t know me that well,” Gunner said. “I’m hardcore; I’ve seen a lot. I’ll do what it takes to protect. But when it comes to the personal stuff, I lack what most women are looking for—in a husband, anyway.”

Lori studied him, and Gunner feared that he’d blown it. But it had to happen. There was no point hiding the truth from her.

“But why couldn’t you have a relationship with your son?”

“That’s trickier,” Gunner said. “I don’t want to malign Rebecca, but she didn’t make it easy. I sometimes thought that she set out to destroy my relationship with Daniel, and maybe she did. She put doubts in his mind about my fitness as a father and sabotaged my efforts to see him. The relationship became strained, and even though I had visitation rights, I didn’t exercise them as much as I might have.”

“Do you wish you had?”

“I can wish a lot of things,” Gunner said. “But I have to deal with reality. Daniel was fed lies about me, and he began to believe the worst. I was overseas a lot, and that didn’t help. It’s just too late now to repair all that damage.”

Lori’s expression softened. “What if it’s not too late?”

“I hope you’re right.”

Gunner was uncomfortable talking about his personal relationships. That was one area where he struggled. For the rest of the evening, the mood was subdued, and he sensed that Lori wanted to ask more. There wasn’t much more he could add, as he had revealed the worst already.

Dinner was a couple of steaks Gunner defrosted and grilled. Lori made side dishes. After cleanup, he showed her to the bedroom then made sure she had clean towels and anything else she might need. It was a pity that he had to sleep alone.

Lori was all he wanted in a woman, and he had a hard time keeping his craving for her under control. But he couldn’t see any reason for her to get into a long-term relationship with him. He was wrong for her in every way—even he could see that. And Lori wasn’t a woman to have sex with then forget. Gunner went to bed, but he doubted that he would get much sleep.

*****

It had been an odd night for Lori. She had ended up sleeping in a room next to Gunner, when she would have preferred to be in his bed. She had been tempted to walk down the hall and go to him—but he hadn’t invited her.

Lori probably shouldn’t have pried into Gunner’s private life, but she wanted to understand him better. He was a tower of strength and had lifted her out of the path of danger. Yet Lori could tell there was more to him than physical dexterity and muscle.

Despite what Gunner had shared with her, Lori couldn’t see him as the man he tried to portray. He had cared about her from the start, taking threats against her seriously. Gunner was a man she could count on. He was a friend, and she wanted him to be much more.

Yet Gunner hadn’t even kissed her. Instead, he had ignored the chemistry between them and shifted into being a good host. It was frustrating. Lori wanted to tell him that it was okay, that she didn’t agree that he was a hard man without a heart.

Lori had spent the night, but the benefits had been a meal and a bed. She didn’t consider Gunner’s house her personal hotel, no matter the danger that rose from the shadows. She decided that she would return to her own bed at home and not impose on him further.

Saturday was a short day at the clinic. Gunner had driven Lori home to change clothes, then escorted her to work with an assurance that he would return for her later. She had a few early patients, then was free to catch up on email and see to other tasks.

During the week, Lori’s attorney had kept her updated on the progress of her case. An email had arrived late Friday, after she had left for the day. She read it then leaned back in her chair. It was really happening. Her father’s body had been exhumed and was in the care of the medical examiner.

The autopsy was scheduled, so it wouldn’t be long before her attorney would have the results. Lori was conflicted. She had gone ahead with the process, having no other choice. The outcome was crucial, but she wasn’t sure how she’d deal with it.

Before Lori could contemplate that scenario, Jess called. “Any news yet?”

“I might have the results this week sometime.” Then Lori told Jess everything. She poured her heart out, sparing no detail, including the fright of nearly being run over.

“My God,” Jess said, “I can’t believe it. Are you sure you’re okay?”

Lori didn’t hesitate; she told Jess about Gunner and how she felt. He was her guardian, her protector, her friend. But Lori had a crush on him a mile wide, and who wouldn’t? “He’s caring, strong, and sexy as hell.”

“I don’t know how you’ve resisted this long.”

“Barely, that’s how,” Lori said. “But it could be selfish of me. Gunner’s not really my type, if you know what I mean?”

“What are you talking about?”

“He’s more…physical.”

“And that’s a problem?” Jess said. “I would think that’s exactly what you want.”

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