Page 48 of Against The Tide

He takes a deep breath, snapping his mouth shut along with his eyes. Scrubbing his hands along his face, he turns and walks away like he did earlier. Cold assaults me, an instant loss that rampages through me. The only feeling trampling through me is fear that if he walks away, he won’t ever come back. That thought is enough to gut me.

“No, Rhett, wait!” I start after him through the partly open concertina doors at the back of the house, following down the porch steps. “Doc!”

I pause beside him in front of the water, listening to him breathe so hard that the rasp vibrates through me.

Rhett shoves his hands into the pockets of his shorts. The warmth from his closeness is so welcome. So needed. I crave it so damn much. The way it makes me feel. I’m not alone when he’s near. He doesn’t understand that I’ve been in so many places, surrounded by so many people, and been so terribly alone. But not with him.

“It really is all right,” I murmur into the dark night.

The moon is behind the clouds along with the stars, and the only light is cast from the house. It’s so still out here that the sounds from the crickets and the birds and the mice—all the critters I can’t see—are magnified.

“No, Avery,” Rhett expels with his bated breath while he turns to see me. “It’s not okay. It’s not all right. Or fine.”

In the darkness I can’t see his movement as clear, and when his hand cups my face, I relax. The wave of warmth courses through my body, shocking my heart into overdrive, knotting my stomach with need, turning my knees into jelly.

“There is nothing acceptable about anyone hurting you. Ever.”

Fragments of diluted light flicker through his eyes. He’s so close that I can smell the lightly musky, citrus tang of his cologne. Rhett’s gaze locks on mine, searing deep, and something inside me gives. It grows hot and promising, flowering in my chest until it feels so full that my lungs ache. My heart beats wildly with so much possibility that I might combust.

“But you can joke…you can touch me. I’m not afraid of you—it’s all an impulse that—” I stop, unable to catch my breath.

Without breaking our stare hold of each other, he draws me to him as he steps closer, pulling me to his chest, wrapping his arms around me tightly.

Neither of us moves or speaks. But there is a switch that flips inside me, making me very aware that I am a woman and he is a breathtaking, beautiful man. And he is holding me without any expectation. And it feels better than anything I’ve ever felt.

Time stops and everything fades—it’s just me and him—and I can’t help but ask myself why I asked for time.

Why was I so frightened to believe that maybe I am as different to him as he is to me?

“I lost my shit today, and I’ve spent all afternoon hoping that I hadn’t scared you away.” Rhett lifts my face to his.

We’re so close that his breath licks over my lips, making me thirsty for him. Taking his hand in mine, I bring it to my mouth, pressing a kiss to his knuckles.

“No one has ever thrown down for me. Ever.” I stroke over his hand with my lips. “I was so angry, and I wanted him to feel at least a whisper of the pain he put me through. I’ve been waiting and waiting for him to show up, and I thought I was ready to see him, but now I’m on edge.”

“I called Rowan. He has Jesse and another of his guys keeping an eye on the ranch, and a PI looking out for Carl in DC. Adrian’s apparently one of the best, and he trusted him with Callie.” He kisses my forehead, sweeping his thumb over my lips. “So I know I can trust him with you.”

“Jesse is Alison’s husband, right? I remember Callie asking something about him on the phone to her before.”

“Yeah, he’s spent a lot of time here after he returned from Afghanistan.”

“Oh.”

“He got injured pretty bad, but he knows this place inside out. If he’s watching, I know you and Iris are safe.”

The intensity in his eyes takes me aback. Even in the muted light, it’s burning so damn bright.

“I’m sorry I flinched—it really was a reflex. The only thing that scares me about you is…this.” Placing my hand on his chest, I rest my head over it. “It’s not only me, Rhett.”

“I know that Iris is a part of you, Avery. I’ve known it from the beginning, and although I’ve made some dubious decisions in the past, I’m not a stupid man.”

“No, you’re a great doctor. The best, I’ve been told.”

“I’d say whoever told you that is an intelligent guy.” With a kiss to the tip of my nose, he wraps his arm around me and guides me back to the house. “You know, I think Jo’s right. You might be the easiest soul in the world,” he tells me when we reach the kitchen.

“What makes you think that?”

“She got her shotgun out for you. The last person that caught sight of it still crosses the street when they see me.”