Page 84 of Austin
“Kris—”
“It’s true, and it’s not necessary. IfIwas the one lying in that bed, where would you be?” When he didn’t say anything, she took a chance and answered for him. “I think you would be right where I am. I think you would miss a bull-riding event if I was in that bed and needed you.”
Austin exhaled. “Yeah, I probably would.”
“Then why is it any different for me to be here?”
“Probability. You don’t do life-threatening things on a weekly basis, so the chances of me being in your shoes are slim.”
“I can accept that you have a greater probability of risk.”
“You say that now.”
“Austin…how long are you going to be able to ride bulls?” She could see he didn’t like that question, but she forged on anyway. “I can last as long as you can. Your job is part of the package. I am not Kelly Kincaid’s wife, or any of your past girlfriends who couldn’t handle what you do.”
“You might have to last for years.” The word came out on a low, intense note, giving her a stirring of hope.
“Do you love me?” For the second time in her life she tossed the ultimate question in front of Austin. For the second time, she held her breath until she heard the answer.
“You know I do.” There was a rawness in his voice that touched something deep, deep inside of her. She knew that rawness. Knew it well.
“Then I shouldn’t have to beg to be part of your life.”
“I don’t want you to beg.” He looked startled at the thought.
“Good. Because I’m not going to.” She swallowed, considered just how close to lying she was, then lifted her hand, her thumb and forefinger separated by a tiny fraction of an inch. “But I might come close.”
Austin reached out and took her hand again, tugged her closer to the bed with a surprising show of strength. “You’ll never beg with me,” he said. “If I can give it to you, you will have it.”
Kristen’s lips parted as she stared down at the battered, sexy guy she loved so much. “I want you.”
For a long, tense moment, she thought he was going to turn her down, serve up rejection number three. Instead, he let go of her fingers and ran his hand up her arm, easing her toward him. She lost her balance as she bent over the bed, but managed to catch her weight with her free hand, before he pulled her mouth to his.
Home. She’d come home.
She let out a soft sigh and pulled back.
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“Avoid my entire right side,” he muttered before meeting her lips again, kissing her as if he was trying to make up for all the hurt he’d caused. Kissing her as if he couldn’t imagine life without her.
It wasn’t until she touched his face he said, “You could have anyone, Kris. You could have a normal life.”
“I want you. Scars, abrasions, broken legs, dangerous occupation. I want it all.”
It was awkward bending over him, half on, half off the bed. She would have loved to stretch out beside him, but was scared to death of jarring his broken leg. Part of the deal she’d signed on for. She could do it.
“You know,” he said quietly as he smoothed the hair away from her face. “I really might be a loser now. I didn’t prepare for the future because I figured it would just be me. I didn’t count on you coming into my life.”
She let her head rest on the pillow next to his. “You’ll never be a loser, Austin. And we can work out the future together. It’s scary leaving the beaten path, but the rewards are many for those who dare.”
He smiled into her eyes. “Lofty thought.”
She gave a low laugh before lightly kissing his perfect lips. “We’re going to do okay, Harding. We really are.”
