Page 88 of The Cowboy's Country Charm

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“You can’t press charges. It will ruin his career.” Kristy sat beside Dean on the couch in her apartment, applying an ice bag and wondered what it would take for him to not sign a complaint against Rusty.

The right side of Dean’s face had swelled, making him look like a misshapen pineapple. Black and blue marks appeared under his right eye by his cheekbone. Gratefully, the blood had stopped oozing from his nose.

Because Dean had blacked out from the blow, the ER doctor thought it would be best if he wasn’t alone during the night. The only reasonable thing was moving him into her apartment, rather than her spending the night in his hotel room. As Ariel had gone back to Mel’s trailer, she was planning to stay in Ariel’s room while Dean camped out in her bed… but without her in it, of course.

“I hope it does. Someone who lacks impulse control shouldn’t be in uniform.”

“He was in uniform for ten years in the Special Forces unit of the air force. He’s been trained to react, and you raised your fist.”

“To defend myself.”

“If you hadn’t been using physical force against me—”

“Whoa.” Dean held up his hand. “When did I use physical force against you? I simply was trying to get you to stay and listen to me.”

“You pinned me against the wall and wouldn’t let me go. That’s assault. I was this close to giving you a knee in your groin.”

“I get roughed up and it’s somehow my fault?”

She let out an exasperated sigh and put the ice bag on the table. “If you want to talk assault, you were assaulting me. Rusty may have used too much force, but it was a reflex. It wasn’t intentional like your actions were.”

“His response was out of proportion. What would have happened if he had a gun, which would be the case if he were a police officer? Sorry. I’m not letting this go. I would feel I was shirking my civic duty.” He clenched his teeth, and his mouth flatlined.

“Hopefully, you’ll feel different in the morning. Let’s get you to bed.”

He grabbed her hand. “Best invitation I’ve had all day.”

“You’ll be sleeping in my room. Alone.”

“I insist you stay with me. Remember what the doctor said, and I wouldn’t feel right kicking you out of your bed.” He smirked.

“I will check on you every few hours.”

She stood and moved toward the bathroom. “I’ll put out towels for you. I’ve a pair of baggy sweats if you want to use them to sleep in.”

“I sleep in the nude. Remember.”

She felt her face flush. “Whatever. But cover up when you use the bathroom please.”

“You’ve gotten awfully prudish. Have you and Rusty even done it yet?”

“I’ll leave out a bathrobe.” She’d ignored his comment, although she was tempted to tell him just how incredible it was with Rusty, to let some air out of his ego. “Do you want anything before you go to bed?”

“Just you.” He smirked again.

“I’m only doing this in hopes you’ll spare Rusty.” She turned to go to the bedroom. “I don’t think a future state legislator sprawled on the floor would be a good look, regardless of the circumstances.”

“They’re not printing that, are they?”

“If you’re referring to the press, I believe my father has successfully convinced them not to mention the incident. For which I’m as grateful as you. But if you file charges, it’s public record, so who knows. And you will force my hand to file assault charges against you.” She looked over her shoulder.

Dean was frowning. “I’m a lawyer, remember. I’ve got a medical record to prove what he did to me. At best, you’ve got misdemeanor assault and we have only your word and the cowboy’s that by talking to you, I assaulted you.”

“Always scheming, Dean. But it’s still two against one.” She feared, though, that he was right.

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