Page 63 of Nanny for the Single Dad Cowboy
Her head snaps up. “No. You can’t—“
“I can. And I will.”
The steel in my voice leaves no room for argument. I brush a tear from her cheek with my thumb, the touch grounding both of us.
“You’re safe here,” I say quietly. “No one’s taking you from this ranch.”
Something in her finally gives. She leans forward, pressing her forehead against my shoulder, body trembling. I wrap my arms around her, holding her tight, feeling every rapid beat of her heart against mine.
And to think that she had to deal with all this alone for so long. This woman has no idea how much she’s come to mean to me, how much I love her, and the lengths I’ll go to to protect her.
Outside, the wind picks up, carrying the smell of rain and dust through the half-open window. The storm isn’t over, not by a long shot. But for now, she’s in my arms. And that’s a start.
25
TESSA
My bedroom feels different now—quieter, softer, as if the air itself has exhaled. Jace lies beside me, one arm heavy around my waist, his thumb tracing lazy circles against my hip, his chest rising and falling steadily beneath my cheek. I match my breathing to his, letting the rhythm ground me. For the first time in what feels like forever, I’m not running. Not from my past, or my feelings. Just here. Wrapped up in him.
The world outside doesn’t matter—not the threats, the secrets, or the danger that awaits beyond these walls. Right now, it’s just the two of us and the soft hum of the night.
After months of hiding in the shadows, he knows the truth, and instead of pushing me away, he’s embraced me and assured me that everything is going to be okay. And I believe him, which iswhy I’m here, lying calmly by his side instead of running like every instinct in me is telling me to.
I tilt my head slightly, feeling the brush of his stubble against my temple. His hand tightens, just a little, like he doesn’t want to let me go. “Sleep, it’s been a long day,” he murmurs against my hair.
I close my eyes and let the sound of his heartbeat pull me under. Tomorrow can wait. For tonight, I just want to stay right here, in this fragile peace, in his arms, where everything feels safe again.
Sometime later, I wake to the sound of Jace groaning, and for a second, I think he’s dreaming, caught in some nightmare. But then I hear the short, sharp breath he pulls through his teeth, and every trace of sleep drains out of me.
“Jace?” My voice is soft, cautious, but he doesn’t answer right away.
Moonlight spills across the bed, silvering his skin. He’s lying on his back now, jaw tight, one hand gripping the edge of the sheets. His whole body looks tense, locked in battle with something I can’t see.
I push myself up on my elbow. “Hey,” I whisper again, brushing my fingers against his arm. His skin is damp, slick with sweat. “What’s wrong?”
He exhales sharply, turning his head toward me. “I’m fine,” he mutters, voice thick and strained. “Just my old injuries acting up. Go back to sleep.”
The tremor in his words betrays him. He’s hurting. Badly.
“Like hell I’m going back to sleep,” I murmur, sliding closer. I can feel the heat coming off him; he’s in pain. “Where does it hurt?”
He hesitates, his pride warring with honesty, then finally says, “My back and legs. It comes and goes.”
My chest tightens. I’ve seen him angry, protective, even tender, but not like this. Not fragile.
“Let me help,” I whisper.
“Tessa—“
“Please.”
The word hangs between us, quiet but certain. After a long moment, he exhales, something in him giving way. He nods once, reluctantly.
I reach for him, my hands tentative as I ease the blanket down, revealing the long, powerful lines of his body. He’s all strength, scars, and tattoos—a man who’s fought too hard for too long.
“Roll over,” I murmur.
He gives a soft, incredulous laugh despite himself. “You don’t take orders well, do you?”
