The Borrowed Ring

“Because if you prefer Smith…”

She shook her head and gave him a tremulous smile. “Andreas is fine.”

His tone turned suddenly fierce. “Be sure,” he said. “Because I'm sure as hell not going to apologize this time, either, if you change your mind later.”

Her smile deepened at the reminder of the first time he had made love to her. “I won't change my mind. And I won't need an apology, because I have no doubt that we can make this work. I love you, Daniel.”

She saw the courage it took for him to look her in the eyes and reply, “I love you, too. God help you.”

And then he held out his arms to her.

They took their time from that point. Daniel insisted on shaving and showering, getting rid of the last signs of the unkempt “Jonas Lopez.” Insisting that he needed help showering—just to make sure he didn't reopen the slice in his arm—B.J. joined him.

The hot water didn't last long, but the heat they generated between them more than made up for it.

Afterward they made love on the sleeper sofa, barely taking time to throw aside the cushions and unfold the bed first. Daniel seemed genuinely embarrassed at first by the grubbiness of the apartment, but she convinced him rather quickly that she didn't care where they were as long as they were together.

Together, they proved almost immediately that the surroundings didn't matter. Whether in a luxury suite or on a picnic table or between the sheets of a tattered bed, they found paradise whenever they were together. And paradise was even sweeter this time because they both knew it wouldn't be the last time they visited there.

B.J. was still wondering whether she would ever breathe normally again when Daniel spoke, his voice still a bit hoarse. “About that tae kwon do instructor…”

She was surprised into a giggle. “What about him?”

“Could he have kicked my ass?”

Daniel would have pounded Tommy into the ground, but B.J. saw no point in inflating his ego any more than she already had for one day. Still smiling, she murmured, “Let's just say I've always had a thing for tough guys.”

“Does that mean…?”

She rolled over onto his chest, propping her chin on her hands. “Anyone ever tell you that you've got the prettiest eyes?”

“You're trying to change the subject.”

“Yes. But they are pretty.”

Daniel sighed and shook his head, silently acknowledging that she wouldn't answer any more questions about the ex-boyfriend.

“So—think I can find a job in Dallas? Maybe the police department is hiring.”

She was a bit surprised by the new topic, but she answered easily enough. “I'm sure one of my uncles can pull a few strings with the Dallas PD—but are you sure that's what you want to do? Give up what you're doing now to settle into one place?”

He shrugged, but she knew he wasn't taking her question lightly. “Part of the reason I was so good at this job is because I had no real ties to anyone, no place I had to be, no one to worry about me if I suddenly disappeared.

I made arrangements for Aunt Maria to be taken care of if anything happened to me, but I also made sure there was nothing else connecting her to me. Things are different now. As Drake pointed out, you've become my weakness.”

She frowned, uncertain if that was a good thing.

“It isn't a criticism,” he assured her, reading her expression. “It feels pretty good to know someone would care if I didn't make it home.”

“You're underestimating the way your aunt feels about you. She loves you very much. And she would care deeply if you didn't make it home.”

“Then that's another reason for me to settle down in one place and take a job that's a little more secure. I could see her. And being the wife of a cop isn't a picnic, but it's better than what I can offer you now.”

“I'll take it,” she said promptly. “Happily. But be sure, Daniel. I won't apologize if you change your mind later.”

He flashed a grin in response to her quoting him. “I won't expect you to.”

B.J. rested her head on his chest, contentment flooding through her. And then she suddenly groaned and lifted her head again. “Uh-oh. I think you're going to have to come up with one more cover story.”