“It would be impenetrable, and only I’d have a key to the door, which would be barred on the outside.”

“Would the bed be soft?”

“Big and soft.”

Her sigh rolled up his spine.

“I could sleep for a week about now.”

“Is dreaming about me keeping you awake, sweetheart?”

“Your ego is as big as Jack’s.”

“Ouch, even I know his reputation around Ryker.”

“So, tell me about your work.”

He did, telling her things that would interest or amuse her, but not the dark side. No one needed to hear about the twisted and unbalanced minds he’d come across in his time as a profiler.

Piper leaned on the door, listening and watching him. Offering the occasional comment, or question, and then she fell silent as her eyes closed. She looked soft and approachable sleeping. Her lovely body still, those eyes hidden from him.

He woke her as they pulled into the police station. Stopping the car, he released his belt and leaned over. She hadn’t moved; hands pillowing her head, she slumbered deeply.

“Piper.” He touched a soft, warm cheek. “You need to wake up now, honey.”

She woke slowly, eyes opening first. They turned and found him inches away.

“Hey.”

“Hey yourself,” he said, moving in to brush a kiss over her cheek. “We’re here.”

“Oh God.” The eyes closed again, then opened. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep that long.”

“I like silence when I drive, and you needed the sleep, so don’t worry about it.”

“You don’t plan on having children then is my guess,” she said, stretching. Her body curved backward in the seat, long arms reaching up. His sweater swam on her, and he liked seeing it on her, which was wrong, but he couldn’t stop how he felt. “Because they never shut up, which I guess I’m about to experience.”

“Small steps, Piper.”

She exhaled slowly.

“Let’s go.”

“I got this, thanks, Dylan. You go on and get your dad’s meds and head back to Ryker.”

“I thought we’d covered this off already. Today I’m being your friend.”

She flipped down the visor and studied her reflection. Then opening her bag, she dug out a brush and tugged it through her hair. Lastly she slicked gloss on that lovely mouth.

“You ready now, or you got a change of clothes in there? Not that I’d have a problem with you changing clothes in my car.”

She closed her bag and looked at him. Her eyes were clearer, but he saw the anxiety.

“Look, Dylan, thanks for driving me here and being nice... really. I realize now I was in no state to do it myself. So thanks, but I can take this from here.”

“I do nice,” he felt the need to protest.