Guardian Ranger (Shadow Agents 2)

Because it looked as though they’d found the man who’d just tried to kill her, and it was one of the men who’d promised to protect and serve everyone in Whiskey Ridge.

* * *

VERONICA CAME OUT of the shower, dressed in a white terry cloth robe. Her hair trailed over her shoulders, and her skin was flushed.

She still looked too fragile. But he’d realized that the delicate appearance was only skin deep for Veronica.

The woman had a core of steel.

“When were you gonna tell me that you lifted that flash drive?” he asked her.

She paused at the threshold of the bathroom. Steam drifted around her. They were in his motel room. He had the door bolted, and he figured it was time they cleared the air between them.

Provided, of course, that he could keep his hands off her.

“I was going to get around to that,” she murmured, “but there was the little matter of you getting shot, me finding out you were an EOD agent and, then, well, you arresting my brother.”

“Yeah, the little matter of all that.” He stalked toward her.

She tensed. “I thought I had the room to myself. You were supposed to wait outside while I showered.”

“I’m not going anyplace. You were almost killed tonight.” The memory had his heart racing. “Do you know what that did to me?”

She looked confused. As if she couldn’t figure out why her death would matter to him.

He put his hands on her, right near her shoulders. She smelled fresh and clean and just looking at her made him ache. So the whole no-touching-her bit had lasted for all of five seconds. The woman made him weak.

“You were worried,” she said, giving a little nod. “You’re an agent, so your job is—”

“Forget the job.” Anger thickened his voice. “This isn’t about a job any longer. It’s about you.”

She blinked. “What?”

“I’m not on the EOD’s side, okay? I’m not using you. I’m not trying to get information on your brother. I’m here, right now, because there is no other place on this whole earth that I’d rather be. I want to be with you.”

“Jasper.” Her gaze searched his.

What was she looking for? What emotion? What truth? Whatever it was, he sure as hell hoped that she found it.

“The case is between us, I get that. You think your brother’s innocent? You think he’s being set up by that deputy?”

“Yes.” She breathed the words. “I do.”

Such incredible faith. He wanted her to have that kind of faith in him.

“Then consider me on your side from here on out.” The choice really was that simple to him. He couldn’t keep ripping her apart by going after her brother. He’d resign from the EOD. He’d be with her.

If she wanted him.

“Wh-what are you saying?”

He had to kiss her. That little stutter got to him every single time. His lips brushed hers, gentle, because he was determined to be, for now. “I’m saying that I have your back, always.” Another kiss against her lips. “I’m saying that you can trust me to be there for you.”

Her lips parted in surprise.

Another kiss. This time, his tongue dipped inside her mouth and tasted that sweetness.

“If your brother is being set up, we’ll find the evidence that links Jimmy to the kills. We’ll clear Cale.”