Page 100 of Ice Covered Heart

Shelby had been about to say I don’t know if I’ve ever been in love. But…

But she couldn’t look away from Hunter. Her chest ached as she stared at him. She thought of him taking her case, no hesitation. Of the way he’d raced after her in New Orleans, carrying her to safety when her arm had been bleeding. The way he was so determined to help her close the mystery of her past.

Yet, it was more than all that.

It was…the way she felt with him. Safe, always, safe. And she trusted him. She could tell him anything, and she didn’t think Hunter would judge her.

Hadn’t she wanted to send him away because she was worried about him? About his safety? Because she wanted him to be protected?

Because…she cared about him…

Because…

I think I am falling in love with Hunter McQueen.

“Shelby?”

Feeling far too exposed and vulnerable, she grabbed for the sheets and pulled them over her body.

“I would never cheat on you,” Hunter promised in his deep voice.

“I wouldn’t cheat on you, either,” she heard herself say. She’d eased back a little more so that her head was on the pillow next to his. But she missed being in his arms. She wanted to get back there. Wanted her head on his chest. His arms cradling her.

“There is no other woman in this world I want more than you. Your strength attracted me long before I knew you—the real you—and everything I learn makes me want you more.” He reached for her hand. “I’m wrapped around these fingers. Ask anything of me, and I’ll give it to you.”

Can you love me? Will you love me? Because wanting and loving were two very different things. He was talking about want. Her head turned a bit more toward him as Shelby positioned her left ear to make sure she didn’t miss anything he said.

“What do you want, Shelby? Tell me. Tell me, and it is yours.”

I want you to love me. But the feelings inside of her were too new and scary. She didn’t dare say those words. So, instead, she went with, “I want the nightmare over. I want the horror to just stop.” She did want that. Badly. I also want you to love me, Hunter.

“You know Nate isn’t the one killing here in Hathaway. Killing now. He didn’t murder Tiffany. He didn’t set the bomb in my car. And he didn’t take the shot at you in New Orleans.”

“Yes.”

“Doesn’t mean the current perp isn’t working with Nate. Doesn’t mean the sonofabitch we’re after hasn’t been working with him for a long time.”

There was only one way to find out if Nate had been a partner in the attacks on her. “We have to go and see Nate.”

“Ah, sweetheart, I really like the way you say we. Good of you to recognize that we’re a package deal and that my ass is not leaving you. Not ever.”

“You’ll leave when the case is over.” They’d end. Sadness tugged at her. “I will miss you.”

He shifted a little on the bed. A ripple of power and strength. “We both live in New Orleans. You think that you’ll get rid of me that easily? Nah. Things will just change. We’ll solve the case, then I’ll take you out on a date.”

“A date?” That sounded so…normal. She blinked.

“We’ll get beignets. Walk along the riverwalk. Maybe catch a show at the Saenger Theatre. I’ll wine you and dine you at Muriel’s. We’ll kiss on their balcony. And, eventually, you’ll fall hopelessly in love with me.”

She could not speak.

“Too much?” Hunter’s curious voice. “Not ready for all of that yet?”

It sounds perfect. Like the best dream. “That’s…quite a plan you have there.”

“It’s still in early stages. It can change.”

Right. Sure. He was just talking. Comforting her—distracting her—in the dark.