She flinched. “You need to be free to conduct that manhunt.”
“Explain ‘free’ to me.”
“It’s no longer necessary for you to remain here undercover. I realize I still need protection, but that can be done by a private agency that provides bodyguards. I have money in a CD to pay for it. The last thing I want is to deplete your department of officers who have to watch me day and night.”
His jaw hardened. “Until this case is solved, the department has an obligation to protect you, so forget dipping into your resources. Is there anything else on your mind?”
“Yes. Amy may only be a toddler, but she’s attached to you in a way she never was to Rod. If you’re not living here, she’ll get over expecting you to walk in the door.”
He expelled his breath. “I’ll make other arrangements for you tomorrow if you want me to. I’m sorry you’re trapped here so she can’t play with her little friend across the street. This shouldn’t have to go on for too much longer. I also realize you miss your job. Your whole life has been put on hold.”
“So has yours, Kit. You’re not able to enjoy a private life while you’re on a case like mine. But from now on you can go to your own home at night and sleep in your bed instead of on the floor. You must be sick of wearing that clerical shirt. If I were in your shoes, I’d be eager to get rid of it.”
While she’d been talking, he’d gotten up to roll out his sleeping bag and pillow. To her surprise he stretched out on top of it still dressed. “You’re right. I am sick of it. I’m also exhausted.”
“I’ll leave so you can get some sleep.”
“Wait—don’t go yet. What about going into a temporary witness protection program with Amy? Would you consider that? You wouldn’t have to leave Texas. You’d be removed to a place where you could enjoy a little more freedom but still be kept safe until the threat was over.”
Natalie blinked. “Wouldn’t the cost of that be more prohibitive than surveillance?”
“Forget the money aspect. Does it appeal to you?”
“No. I’d much rather stay in my home in surroundings that are familiar for Amy. I’m fine here. We both are. You’re the one I’m worried about. You’ve been multitasking, trying to keep us safe and still be a Ranger. You must have eyes in the back of your head.”
He chuckled. “That would be a first for the books.”
“It’s not funny, Kit. If anything happened to you...”
He raised himself up on one elbow and looked searchingly at her. He reached for her arm, gripping it gently. “If anything happened to me...what?”
She could hardly think with him touching her. “I don’t want to think about it.”
“What don’t you want to think about?” he prompted.
Heat enveloped her. “This is a ridiculous conversation.”
“You started it,” he countered. “What are you afraid of?”
“I—I wouldn’t want you to get hurt protecting me.” Her stammer was a dead giveaway that her emotions were in turmoil.
“I wouldn’t want anything to happen to either of us. For you to get hurt on my watch is unthinkable to me. Come here. Let’s talk about it.” He pulled her forward until she fell against him on the floor. He gathered her close and entangled their legs.
“Kit—” She half gasped his name.
“On second thought, I don’t feel much like talking.” He lowered his mouth to hers. Natalie had been wanting this for so long she was past thinking about the wisdom of it. Kit started kissing her with a hunger as great as her own. In an explosion of need she began kissing him back, forgetting everything as she poured out her feelings for him.
One kiss turned into another until she was trembling with desire. His hands and his mouth fueled the fire that was licking through her body. She’d never known rapture like this.
“I’m sorry, Natalie. I’ve tried to keep my distance, but it isn’t possible. I want you—you have no idea how much.” He buried his face in her neck.
“I feel the same way, but I was afraid you might be too chivalrous to kiss me, even if you found yourself wanting to.”
He groaned and brought his face back to hers, kissing her until she hardly knew herself. “I’ve been denying myself since the day we met,” he confessed against her lips. “It’s been hell.”
She no longer had to wonder what it would be like to lie in this Texas Ranger’s arms. When she felt able to take a breath she said, “That night in the car outside the motel, I wanted so badly to let you know how I felt about you, but I was afraid you might not feel the same way.”
Whatever he would have said was silenced by the ringing of his cell phone. Afraid of what it meant, she eased away from him so he could answer it.