"God was watching out for you.” Kerry said in a soft voice.
"If there really is a God, he turned his back on me a long time ago, Kerry.” There was no venom in his voice only honesty. He sounded somewhat sorry for that fact. His eyes no longer had that far away look now they held no emotion at all.
"There is a God.” She insisted. “And He would never turn His back on you.”
He'd known she would be a believer, but still it was different hearing it directly from her mouth. “I told you my mama raised me to be a gentleman so I won't disagree with you, but nor do I want to have this discussion tonight.” He gave her a small smile that she didn't return. Too bad. He was getting hooked on the rush he got when she smiled at him. Not good, old boy. He reminded himself to stay emotionally distant, but that was hard to do with this woman.
Kerry looked at him, a sad look, almost pitying and he turned away. Thankfully, she dropped the subject. “So, what were you doing that got you into a gunfight out here?”
He looked at her but regretfully told her the truth. “That's classified.”
"Okay.” She really didn't look surprised by his admission. “Who do you work for?”
"Classified.” Man he was starting to hate that answer. He saw something that looked like irritation flash in her eyes but he couldn't be sure because it was gone as quickly as it came.
"All right. What do you do?”
He smirked knowing the answer was really going to irritate her this time. “Classified.”
This time there was no missing the irritation in her eyes or her voice. “Well, Mr. Reeding is there anything you can tell me about yourself that isn't classified?”
"I came here to rescue you.” He answered promptly. He couldn't resist. She was cute when she was aggravated and her being aggravated at him kept him in his place. He could easily remember holding her in the woods. It had been for her protection, but he couldn't help but notice how she'd seemed to fit so perfect in his arms and he'd wondered if kissing her would feel as perfect. Somehow he knew it would. He seriously doubted he would ever get a chance to test that theory.
"That was helpful.” The sarcasm in her voice was heavy. “Why did you come anyway?”
He debated telling her that was classified just to get a rise out of her, but decided against it. As fun as it was to rib her, he didn't know her well enough for her to understand his sense of humor.
“Your brother called and asked me.”
"That's all it took? Jordan called and you came? He must have better connections than I thought.”
"Not Jordan, Rick.” He corrected.
"Rick?” She didn't sound surprised. “At least that makes more sense. He sometimes has things he does he can't tell us about that are classified.” She said the word as if it tasted horrible in her mouth. “But at least he can tell us who he works for.”
"I don't work for the same people.” He supplied helpfully and she rolled her eyes.
"Obviously. So how did Rick talk his superiors into letting such a top notch agent like yourself come after me?” She asked thoughtfully.
"He didn't go through any normal channels. He just called me and I came.”
"You mean this isn't official?” She asked incredulously.
"No, I'm on my own time.” He admitted awkwardly not sure exactly how much he wanted to tell her but it was obvious from the look on her face that her mind was filling with questions.
"Why would you do something like that for Rick?”
"He saved my life.”
"Oh.”
That was it? Oh? He'd expected a little more from her. He wasn't sure what he'd expected but it was something other than oh. He watched as she shifted in bed and got comfortable.
"Luke?”
It shouldn't matter that it was the first time she'd used his name, but it did. She made it sound sweet, soft. It wasn't just a name when she said it. His heart beat double time.
"Yeah?” His voice came out a croak.
"I'm glad Rick saved your life.” She said simply then closed her eyes to sleep.