by Han, Barb
Almost out of thin air, when his name was said, Gunner appeared. “A crew is on the way to pick up Gage. Everyone okay here?”
“Not everyone,” said Jaden, motioning toward the sobbing Helena in the back of the squad car.
“I’m sorry,” he said to Jaden.
“Me, too.”
He turned to Lauren. The light. Mine.
Men in uniform were everywhere. Her precious business was marked as a crime scene. She was most likely in shock.
Jaden took the keys from her and locked up. He guided her back to the safe house where she’d be more comfortable.
Had he gone too far in pushing her away before?
His heart was ready to burst from one of his own betraying him. Didn’t change the fact Tim was dead because of him. He would not survive the guilt without Lauren.
Could she forgive him?
The moment he walked out of her life he knew he’d made a grave mistake. If she would only let him stay, he would never leave again.
Once she’d showered and changed, she looked a little more settled in reality. She emerged from the bedroom in perfect timing, since Jaden had just finished pouring two glasses of red wine.
For a long moment, neither spoke. Jaden feared the worst. She might never let him back in her life.
He had to know for sure.
This moment was similar to the backward spiral off a dive boat. Nothing had to make sense. No rules. He pulled her toward him and leaned in until his forehead rested against hers. She smelled clean, a mix of fresh flowers and soap.
Guiding dark locks of hair behind her ear, he ran the back of his forefinger down her arm. Her body quivered with his touch. At least she still reacted to him physically. God, her skin was soft. Her eyes wide. Those beautiful golden eyes. She was the light.
Lauren pulled back, and his heart stuttered. Fear that he’d blown it overwhelmed him. Jaden Dean had never been afraid of anything. Until now.
“You blew your cover. Does that mean you’ll be finding a new job? Maybe sticking around this time?” she asked, not giving away her true emotions.
He couldn’t be so close to her without touching her. His hand came up to her face, and he guided her lips within an inch of his. She didn’t fight him.
Was it even possible to hope she’d figured it all out? Did he still have a chance?
His voice was low, husky, when he whispered, “Are you sure you want this? Me? I’m far from perfect.”
“I need real.”
“The next time I’m in your bed, I won’t leave. Ever.”
“What about the curse?”
“I believed something was wrong with me. That’s why everyone around me died. I realized it was because of their choices, not mine. I choose you.”
“Good. Because that’s exactly what I want. You.”
His heart practically burst with love. “Then let’s make it official.”
He bent down on one knee. “I love you. I don’t want to spend another minute without you. Being away the last twenty-four hours was worse than death. I don’t ever want to leave you again. I want to make this permanent. I want you to be my wife.”
Her expression was unreadable when she asked, “Your real name David Wells?”
“Yes.”
“Then who would I be marrying? David Wells or Jaden Dean?”
“Both. But I haven’t been David in a long time. Does the name on the wrapper matter? It’s still me. The man who can’t get enough of you.”
“No. It doesn’t make a difference to me. I was just wondering if I’d be Lauren Wells or Lauren Dean,” she said, and she finally smiled.
It was pure sunshine on his heart.
“If you marry me, I’ll let you pick. We can be whoever you want. How about that?”
“Yes. I will marry you.”
His chest swelled with pride when he heard the word “yes.” It was the only thing that mattered. Everything else could be figured out along the way.
Jaden swept her off her feet, buried his face in her hair, and carried her to bed.
“I hope you plan to be here for a while,” she said, and her eyes were glittery with need.
“Sweetheart, I never plan to leave.”
A note to readers …
I hope you enjoyed CAUGHT IN THE CROSSHAIR!
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A word about the author …
Barb Han lives in North Texas with her husband, has three beautiful children, a spunky Golden Retriever/Standard Poodle mix, and too many books in her TBR pile. When she’s not writing, researching, or otherwise getting lost in a story, she volunteers at her children’s school, is in the kitchen creating dinner, or can be found on or around a basketball court.
Writing contemporary romance and romantic suspense has been a dream come true for Barb — something she’s wanted to do for as long as she can remember.
Book List
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