Page 107 of Nothing to Fear

“And the head injury?”

“And that.”

“And the drugs in your system?”

“They’ve got to be gone by now.”

“Want to tell your cock that?” she asked, wriggling against him in case the eager erection had escaped his notice. “You’re under the influence of a date rape drug. This isn’t the right time.”

“This is the perfect time,” he said, pelvis rising. “Know how easy it would be to—”

“I am not telling our future children…” She gripped his waist to slide back to her previous position next to him. “That you were high the first time we had sex.”

“You going to tell our kids about our first time?”

“Maybe. Anyway, remember your mom’s rule we’re not allowed to do it until after—”

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to ask you,” he said, pinching her chin to bring it up. “Marry me.”

“Ha, ha, very funny,” she said, slithering higher to kiss him slow. “I will not accept a marriage proposal while you’re high either.”

“Not ideal, I know, but I’m a little behind. When my mom made that rule, my dad proposed the next day.”

“That’s true, you slacked off, you waited days. A sign you’re not all the way sure?”

“I wanted to find the perfect ring first.”

The warm, comforting heat of him joined her aura, blending them together. With an arm across his middle, she pulled herself tighter into him. “Thank you for inviting me to come back.”

“I need a protector.”

And that chilled her mood. “Did talking to the cops bring anything back?”

“Only that Niddrie’s an asshole.” The next time their eyes met, hers were unimpressed and he sighed. “I don’t remember, baby. I want to remember. I was at work, I took a shower, changed. There was a call right before I walked out the door. I was pissed because I didn’t want to be late.”

“And then?”

“Nothing,” he said. “It’s fuzzy, I don’t even remember much about the call, just that it happened. Next thing was us kissing and Tripp telling us to have class.”

So he didn’t even remember waking up. “It’s normal. Axon said in the car that head injuries can lead to memory loss.”

“Docs said it might come back.”

Might was no guarantee.

“Acre thinks it’s possible you could’ve been targeted. Do you think you were? Have you been fighting with anyone?”

“Only crossed words were with the Germ.”

“I gave Axon Jeremy’s information. Told him everything I could about anyone we’ve interacted with.”

“Good girl.” He smoothed her hair and used the move to pressure her head to his shoulder. “As long as you’re safe, I’ll be fine.”

“How do you think that works for me?” she asked, stroking the cotton on his torso. “Anything could’ve happened… I don’tthink Jeremy’s got the balls to target someone like you, and he never cared enough about me to really be jealous, but… If this was anything to do with me, with your connection to me… I’ll never forgive myself.”

“It was random.”

Except BHQ wasn’t in a rough area, the service alley not some place people might stumble across to hang out in. There may not be cameras behind the structure, but security guards patrolled the building. How could someone be there, meaning harm, at the exact moment Darroch was there too? Especially if he was late leaving. Could it just be one of those things? Maybe. That didn’t make her feel better or any more secure about his safety.

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