Page 44 of Shielding Serena

The lawman let himself out and Gena rose, grabbing all of their glasses, leaving Walker and Serena at the table. Walker stood and pulled her into a hug that seemed to last hours, days, weeks. She needed every second of it, burrowing into his solidity.

“I was so scared,” she said, “and then I was so mad I couldn’t be scared anymore.”

“Seeing him point that gun at you is the worst sight of my life,” Walker said. “I’ve lived through battles. I’ve watched my men die. And that was the most scared I’ve ever been.”

His arms tightened.

She pulled back enough to look at him. The emotion on his face was completely unguarded. Raw. Everything she’d ever wanted to see in a man’s eyes.

He touched his forehead to hers. “I know it’s too soon, and I know we’re not the kids we were, but I love you. I don’t think I ever stopped.”

Emotion clogged her throat. “I never stopped loving you either,” she said. “The excellent sex topped it off,” she said deadpan.

He barked out a laugh. “It certainly did,” he said softly and pulled her back into his embrace. “I look forward to proving it to you in the near future.”

And as quickly as his words of love had melted her heart, the innuendo fired her up. “If Gena wasn’t here,” she murmured and he laughed into her hair.

“Oh, that wouldn’t stop me, but I want us to think about it, to anticipate.” His voice had gone commanding and hit buttons she hadn’t even known she had. “Until we’re so hot for each other we can’t stand it.”

She gulped, then said, “I’m game, but first,” she tipped her head back and went up on her tiptoes, covering his lips with hers in soft, sweet kiss. “Thank you for riding to my rescue,” she whispered.

“I didn’t have to, Serena, you rescued yourself.”

“Come home with me tonight,” he said a little while later. The Menagerie was buttoned up and Gena had headed home. “We’ll come back early in the morning to open.”

She held up a sign she’d printed off. Closed Tuesday, but back on Wednesday.

“I think I deserve a day off after today,” she said. “And I was planning on invading your space, whether you liked it or not.”

He smiled and held out a hand. “Then let’s get the hell out of here.”

Just like the drive from the storage unit, she scooted across the bench seat and snuggled up against him for the drive to the ranch. Jesse met them in the parking lot.

“Quentin just left. Some emergency in DC that couldn’t be taken care of remotely. Said he’d texted you enough already today, and that he’ll be back in a day or two.” She shrugged and shifted her attention to Serena. “I’m glad you’re okay. Had us all scared.”

“Had myself scared,” Serena admitted. She looked up at the sky, let out a long sigh. “I needed this more than I knew. To get out of town.”

“I hear that,” Jesse said, a wealth of agreement in her tone. “Anyway, see you tomorrow.”

“Wanna join us for dinner?” Walker asked, though he wanted to be alone with Serena.

“Nope,” she said with a knowing smile. “I’m going up to Flagstaff for a school thing with my sister and her kids.”

“Stay the night and be with your family,” Walker urged. “We’ll take care of the chores in the morning.”

Jesse smiled. “Hoped you’d suggest that. Then I guess I’ll see you when I see you, at some point tomorrow.” She climbed into her truck and gave them a wave, then drove away.

Serena turned to Walker and waggled her eyebrows. “Now I have you all to myself.”

He pulled her in for a kiss. “Pretty sure we have each other.”

CHAPTER 18

They puttered that evening, sitting on the porch as they enjoyed the beautiful night and the dogs, and when the first stars made their appearance, they stood as if they were reading each other’s minds, and stepped inside.

Walker led her to his room, and she realized it was the first time she’d seen it. It was the complete opposite of her frothy girly bedroom, and still felt like something you could sink into, done in the tones of the mountains and sky beyond the walls. It felt like coming home, like returning to The Menagerie had.

And when he pulled her into his arms, taking his time to lean in for a kiss, she felt every nerve in her body go alight.