Can't Hardly Breathe (The Original Heartbreakers #4)

Ryanne peered over her shoulder, calling, “Keep doing what you’re doing, then. It’s not creepy at all.”

“He and the girlfriend broke up,” Dorothea told her. “Now he wants to rekindle the old flame. As if there’s anything left but ash,” she shouted, loud enough for Jazz to hear.

All the while she wondered...

Was Daniel right? Could no relationship last?





CHAPTER THIRTEEN

DANIEL WORKED MORNING, noon and night, putting security measures in place at the inn, sketching a tree-shaped headboard, playing with Princess and wondering what to do about Thea. His mind was too consumed with her to worry about the horrors of his past, a welcome change, and yet he’d never been so tormented.

Their kiss had unmanned him. He only hungered for her more, was starved for her.

As many women as he’d kissed over the years, he’d thought he’d experienced every possible nuance. Slow and sweet. Fast and frantic. Tender, rough. Giving, taking. Sharing. He’d kissed women face-to-face and while he stood behind them. Sitting, or sprawled across a flat surface. Twisted together or leaning over a table. He’d used props. Ice. Food. Even clothing. He’d sipped. He’d devoured. He’d worked his way down, and he’d worked his way up. But he’d never been so turned on that he’d come in his pants. He’d always stopped the play before reaching the point of no return, or better yet, he and his partner had decided to strip and go all the way.

Thea had placed restrictions on the make-out session, and he’d obeyed. Gladly. He’d take her however he could get her. But with her, stopping at any point would have been more painful than having a bullet excised without anesthesia. And he should know!

Everything about Thea appealed to him. She drew him, had well and truly hooked him. The sounds she’d made as she’d strained against him, desperate for more. The rapturous expression she’d donned when he’d touched her breasts. The way she’d arched against him, only to linger when she’d made contact with his erection, as if she’d never get enough. The breathy way she’d called his name. Even the color of her nails. Every day he checked, hoping to see glittery white. So far she’d worn everything from red to green.

He wanted more of her—needed more. But she wanted nothing to do with him romantically.

A dirty little secret, she’d said. Why couldn’t she see the truth? Protecting his dad had nothing to do with his feelings for her.

Feelings he would do well to ignore. With all her talk about love, she might want to get married again one day.

A growl vibrated in his chest. Thea...forever off-limits...

He scrubbed a hand down his face. When had he dipped a toe in the pool of insanity?

His friends were just as bad. Jude had warned Brock away from Ryanne, and Brock had said no problem, he’d never do a friend of Lyndie Scott’s, a kindergarten teacher and Sunday-school enthusiast.

Daniel felt like he’d stepped into an alternate universe.

On Friday, he and the boys spent the night in Oklahoma City for a job, working security for a hotel downtown. A famous country singer he’d never heard of was staying there. Daniel found himself wondering what kind of music Thea listened to, and figured his taste would surprise her, since he tended to favor the old gospel tunes his mom had blasted while cleaning the house and cooking dinner.

The job went off without a hitch. His dad babysat Princess, and the two got along just fine. If “just fine” qualified as walking into the kitchen and catching the man feeding the little pup scraps from his own fork.

On Saturday, Daniel and Princess returned to the inn. He resumed his duties, and with every hour that passed, his mood darkened. Thea would be going on her date with the vet later that evening. If the bastard attempted to kiss her good-night...

No one had ever committed cold-blooded murder in Strawberry Valley, but there was a first time for everything.

Daniel should insist Thea go on one of her remaining dates with him tonight. Screw Vandercamp. She’d wear a raincoat and a smile, and all would be right in Daniel’s world.

You will stand down, soldier. He was not Thea’s boyfriend, and he had no rights to her.

By the time Vandercamp arrived, Princess had caught his bad mood. She growled at the vet as if he’d become enemy one. Because he had!

“Good news.” Vandercamp leaned against the counter. “I found little Princess’s family. Her name is actually Splenda.”

Daniel’s stomach sank when it probably should have soared. “How’d they lose her?” And why had they named her Splenda, after fake sugar? From the tips of her ears to the end of her tail, she was the real deal.

“They were driving from Dallas to Oklahoma City and stopped in Strawberry Valley to get gas. They let her out to pee and put her back in the car, but she must have seen something she liked and hopped out. They left thinking she was asleep in back. They posted pictures of her online, called shelters and veterinary hospitals. I spoke to the mom this morning, and she emailed me those pictures to prove ownership.”

Deep breath in...out... “Why wasn’t Princess tagged or chipped?” No way he’d ever call her Splenda. “How do we know she really belongs to them? Photos don’t mean shit. I can present you with a photo album first thing in the morning, proving I’ve had her since she was a pup.”

“I don’t know why she wasn’t tagged or chipped. I didn’t ask because it’s not any of my business. And I can’t think of a single reason someone would go to so much trouble just to assume ownership of a little dog.”

“The welfare of an animal isn’t your business? And someone would go to so much trouble because she’s a piece of heaven on earth.” He petted her behind the ears, but she remained on alert, ready to snap at Vandercamp if he made one wrong move. “Has anyone ever told you that you suck as a vet and a human being?”

Unperturbed, Vandercamp said, “Your hostility is understandable but misplaced. I’m not taking away something you love, Daniel. I’m helping reunite a dog with her family.”

“You’re doing both, asshole. And if you hurt her—” He pressed his lips together, unsure if he was still talking about Princess or if he’d started talking about Thea.

“I would never hurt an animal.”

Yeah, but what about a vulnerable woman?

“Look, I have their number,” Vandercamp said. “They’re willing to pay for your time and gas if you’ll meet them halfway and—”

“Hell, no. If they really love her, they’ll make the entire drive.” He was being unreasonable, and he knew it. Ask him if he cared.

Vandercamp slid a piece of paper across the counter. “Here’s their number. You can call and make arrangements for pickup.” He studied Daniel’s mutinous expression and reclaimed the paper with a forceful yank. “Never mind. I’ll call.”