Page 57 of Sniper

“That’s more like it.”

She arched a brow. “I can acknowledge that I basically solved a problem I created.” She was such a smart ass and I’d give her shit for that later, now there were more important things on the table.

“We need to talk.” My tone was deep and serious.

Katey’s eyes widened and then resignation settled on her delicate features. She was uneasy but she squared her shoulders and nodded. “I know. Killing Ethan only solved half the problem. It’s not over. It might not ever be over.”

“This is going to be over. If you don’t believe anything else I tell you, believe that.” I covered my face with both hands and scrubbed them up and down. “The people you told us about will have to be dealt with. I’m sure they realize or suspect something’s happened to Ethan by now.”

She frowned. “Sooner than that, don’t you think? The police are probably already asking questions and trying to find me.”

I met her gaze, those deep blue eyes saw too much and imagined the absolute worst. “There’s no body to find Katey. No crime was committed as far as the cops are concerned so no reason to be lookin’ for you.”

It took a minute for my words to sink in but when they did, her eyes rounded with both shock and maybe, possibly relief. “Oh. Okay.” The words stammered past her full lips. “Then they might already be planning an attack?”

I nodded again. “Probably. You have to stay here.” There were more reasons than Ethan’s partners, but I needed to appeal to her logical, rational side first.

“Until this is finished,” she added. “Sure. I’ll stick around.”

She still didn’t get it but that was okay, I’d make her understand. I took a step forward and then another until I was at her side on the sofa, my gaze fixed to the side of her face, daring her tonotlook my way. “I want you to stay Katey.”

She nodded absently. “Yeah sure, Sniper. I won’t make this more difficult. I promise.”

My lips pulled tight. “You don’t get it do you?” I sat up and moved closer, laying one hand on her thigh with a squeeze. “Katey, I want you to stay here. With me.”

She watched me and she waited. For what, I hadn’t the faintest fucking clue. “Wait, what?” Her brows dipped into adorable confusion and her lips puckered as if she really didn’t understand.

“I shocked you.” I thought I’d been pretty transparent, but I guess not.

She nodded slowly. “You want me to stay. Here.” It wasn’t a question, she was just repeating the words almost like she was trying to make sense of ‘em.

“I do. I really fucking do Katey.”

She frowned and shook her head like she was trying to knock a thought loose. Finally she faced me, questions swimming in her eyes. “But you hated me from the moment Cal pushed me onto you. And you made no secret of it. Other than sex you can barely stand me.”

“I think you’re forgetting a lot of moments we spent together outside the bedroom.” I studied her carefully. Patiently. Determined to wait until the memories hit her.

Her mind spun and her blue eyes made jerky, thinking movements.

“All those meals where we got to know each other.” Watching her enjoy her food on those few occasions she allowed herself to eat.

Katey shook her head again, probably trying to find arguments to deny my words.

“The nights I held you when those fucking nightmares tore your sleep apart. Fighting together. Saving each other.”

“But,” she started but never finished the thought.

“And then there was the sex. It’s never been as good or as intense with anybody else. Before my cock leaves your body, I’m ready to have you again. I dream about fuckin’ you because when I’m buried deep inside you Katey, my world feels right.

She smiled. “The mind-blowing, life-altering, axis-tilting sex that made my toes curl?”

I nodded. “Now you’re starting to see the big picture.”

Goosebumps popped up on her arms and legs and she shivered. “But that doesn’t make any sense.”

“Agreed,” I laughed. “From what I understand love never makes a damn bit of sense.”

Her eyes widened and she let out a small gasp.

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