Miles does a U-turn and heads back to the ranch.

“Do they remind you of two clowns in a circus car?” Austin asks as he pulls me into his side.

We’re left alone in the middle of the road along with the roar of the swollen creek.

Austin pulls me close. Holds me tightly, almost too tightly, but I don’t care.

We’re soggy and he’s remarkably warm and perfect. He kisses the top of my head.

“Woman, you scared ten years off my life. Fuck.”

“I’m sorry. I—”

“Don’t be sorry. You didn’t do anything wrong. Except leave my side. I think the best thing is to never let you out of my sight. Or my hold.”

I nuzzle his damp shirt. “I think that’s a good idea.”

“Your dad doesn’t hate me.”

There is a mixture of surprise and wonder in his voice, the same that I feel.

“I know. I think we should celebrate.”

“I’m game. How?” he asks.

“A shower,” I reply. With his body heat warming my front, the rest of me is starting to chill.

Austin laughs and I feel it through our joined chests.

“Perfect idea.”

“Especially since I’m not to leave your hold.”

He pushes me back just enough so he can lean down. Our eyes meet. “Got something in mind?”

I smile. “So many things.”

“Will we have enough hot water for all of them?”

32

AUSTIN

Thirty minutes later, our wet clothes are a soggy pile on my bathroom floor. Steam billows from the hot water. I’ve got my hands in Carly’s long hair, working the shampoo into a thick lather.

I have her where I want her. With me and safe. I see every inch of her, know she’s not hurt, doesn’t even have a bruise—only the scars, the scars that make her who she is. The dirt and tiny pebbles that clung to her clothes and body washed down the drain.

My dick is long and hard and aches to be in her, but it’s not his turn. I need to tend to my woman.

Then I’ll sink into her and make sure she knows she’s mine.

“Did you hear more about your mom?” she asks.

If there’s one sentence that stalls my need to claim her, it’s that one. Talking about my mother and the fact that she fell. And that I’m not there with her.

I still feel torn, pulled between those I love.

Carly’s whole and safe, and the dead body can’t get any deader.

“The surgery was successful. Usually, it’s an outpatient procedure, which is a little insane, but she’ll spend the night and then go to rehab.”

She turns in my arms and I tip her head back beneath the spray. Her eyes are closed as I rinse the suds.

“You want to be there.”

I look down at her, the water droplets sliding down her cheeks. Her full mouth. I can’t resist. I kiss her gently and then finish rinsing the last of the shampoo from her hair.