Page 89 of Help Wanted

“Hunter?”

“I had to get better so I could come back to the states to take care of him. I was still learning how to walk with my prosthetic when they came to tell me my mother was dead and that Hunter had been severely injured. I needed to get my shit together so I could help him.”

And this man didn’t think he was a hero? Was he kidding?

They chatted easily until the wine was gone and it was late. She loved listening to his stories, even the bad ones. It was nice knowing he wasn’t perfect.

When the conversation slowed, she wasn’t sure what to do next. In a date situation, it would be time for him to drop her off. She would kiss him at the door and tell him she’d had a nice evening.

But Brady was already in her house. Was he expecting an invitation to spend the night? Did she want that? What if it made their relationship with Hunter’s care uncomfortable?

As if he’d read her mind, he let out a breath and leaned close to her, brushing a piece of hair behind her ear as he studied her face.

“I should go, but I can’t seem to make myself leave.”

“Oh.” Her heart pounded. She didn’t want him to leave, either, but she didn’t have the courage to say it.

“I know we’re not ready for the next step, but can I stay with you tonight? If I go home, I’ll have bad dreams all night. Let me hold you, so I know you’re safe. I’ll stay in my clothes and I won’t touch anything I’m not allowed to.” He put his hand up, pledging an oath.

She trusted him completely. It was herself she wasn’t sure about. Every time he kissed her or even looked at her in that way, she felt like throwing her panties at him.

“Okay,” she managed to get out.

“Just to sleep. I’m beat. When we do get to that step, I want it to be really good.” She had no doubts about that. But that didn’t mean she didn’t have a question.

“How will we know when we get to that step?”

Brady burst out laughing.

“I have no clue. I thought you’d know. I’ve never taken more than one step with a woman before you, Mick.”

She laughed along, but her heart throbbed happily in her chest. He cared about her. She’d tried her best to keep her feelings for him at bay, but now they flooded in.

“I guess we’ll figure it out when we get there.”

“I have to say…” He leaned down and kissed her neck, under her ear. “I hope that step isn’t a long time away.”

“Me, too.”

* * *

Kenley closed her carry-on and rolled it to the door where Zane took it from her. Over the last two days, he’d been treating her like she would break at any moment.

Maybe that was because she kept breaking.

After the episode in the office when he’d sent her outside so he could clean up, she thought she’d dealt with everything. She was able to go back into the office without any problem, but as soon as Zane left her alone to go in his office, she’d experienced chest pains and couldn’t breathe. Zane said he thought maybe it was a panic attack, but she brushed it off.

Whatever it was, it was unnecessary. She was fine. Or she would need to be. They were going to Ohio for the grand opening of the new shop. She needed to get herself together.

Zane had his fingers through hers as they boarded the plane.

“You okay?” he asked. It was becoming their motto.

“I’m great. There’s going to be cake at this shindig.”

They got there a day early so they could meet the new hires and set up the decorations. She didn’t have any issues being alone in the new office. She seemed to have broken out of whatever shackles had held her captive back home. Maybe she really was getting better.

One part of her life that was definitely better was her love life.