Page 45 of Unbound

Possibly even the taint.

“It’s not ridiculous if it keeps you safe.” Walker holds a hand out for me. “Come on, Snoopy. Get your ass up and moving.”

“Ugh.” My head drops to one side, hair falling over my face as I slap my palm into his. “You’re so mean.”

“And you’re so dramatic.” Walker hefts me to my feet. “And awfully unbothered for a woman who was shot at only a few days ago.”

“It’s because I’m sleep deprived.” I trudge along behind him as he leads me into his darkened office.

“You’re sleep deprived because you insist on staying up until two every night.” Walker directs me to the chair behind his desk, putting pressure on my shoulders until I sit. “Tonight you’re going to bed at a reasonable time.”

I snort, because there’s no freaking way. “Why in the world would I do that when Heidi is still awake and can help me?”

“I think you and Heidi could stand to have an evening away from each other.” Walker crosses the room to fire up his coffee maker. “I’m starting to get a little concerned about all the shit the two of you could accomplish if you joined forces.”

He doesn’t actually sound concerned. If anything, Walker sounds a little curious. Possibly even amused at the thought.

I’ve spent more than seventy-two hours at his side, pretty much around the clock, and I’m starting to figure him out a little more. Getting better at reading his facial expressions and body language. And thank goodness for that, because God knows I’ll never figure the man out if I rely on the words that come out of his mouth. Or in this case, the lack thereof.

I yawn, letting my head fall back against the rest of his plush leather chair. “We could probably run the world.”

“I’m more concerned about you ending it.” After setting the first cup to brew, he turns to face me, leaning back against the counter and crossing both arms over his broad chest. “Or worse.”

“What’s worse than the end of the world?” The words have barely cleared my mouth before a cloud moves across Walker’s face.

And I know. I know what he’s thinking. I know what’s worse than the end of the world.

Having your world end while everyone else’s continues like nothing happened.

I must be delirious from too few hours of sleep. Or possibly delusional because of too many hours in Walker’s presence. Those are the only reasonable explanations for why I stand and walk right to where he is, wrapping both arms around his waist in a hug as I rest one cheek against his sternum.

Walker’s body goes stiff, and I’m not sure if it’s because my hug and offer of understanding is unexpected, or if it’s because it’s unwanted. Unfortunately, while I have started to better identify when Walker is amused or frustrated, I’m still not able to tell if he finds me appealing or an annoyance.

But the rigidity of his frame definitely points in the more disappointing of directions.

I’m releasing my hold on him, preparing to step back and give him space, when Walker finally relaxes, both arms circling my back as he returns the embrace. It’s not at all what I was expecting after his initial reaction, and I can’t help the sigh that escapes as a little of the tension I’ve been carrying oozes out of me.

Walker chuckles, the sound reverberating through his chest beneath my ear. “If you needed a hug, you could have just asked me.”

I tip my head back, resting my chin against his pec as I raise my eyes to his face. “Silly me. How could I have thought you might be weird about it after the whole stalking conversation?”

The corner of Walker’s mouth twitches like he’s considering smiling. “I can’t be too mad about it.” He reaches up to curve a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “I probably would have had to stalk you at some point too. Sooner or later, Heidi would have made the same connection you did.”

I’m pretty sure he’s just trying to make me feel better, because while Walker did believe there was more to his mother’s crash than he’d been told, I’m not sure he expected it to include the death of someone he didn’t even know existed.

Technically I didn’t either. But knowing my father didn’t die the way the authorities claimed meant I had to be open to all sorts of possibilities.

Even the ones I’m finding hard to stomach.

Forcing my brain away from those possibilities, I smile up at Walker. “The question is, would you have made me your screen saver?”

Walker’s chest rumbles with another chuckle, the lift of his lips a little more pronounced. “I feel like admitting I would have made a shirtless photo of you my screen saver isn’t the right answer to give here.”

I waggle my brows at him. “You might be surprised.”

I’ve done my best to be appropriate with Walker. No flirting. No overtly staring at his ass. No wandering around his house pantsless.

Anymore.