Page 60 of No Going Back

Branna nodded at that and rolled her lips together. He wondered how she was feeling. Now that it was safer in the area, would she want to return? She’d said she wanted to stay here in Vermont with him, but once everything was cleared up and she had safe options, would that still be the case?

He hoped so. Phail was full of potential and possibilities. He’d loved growing up in Miami, but there were a lot of hard memories there, even more now. Vermont had a whole different vibe, and he was ready to try something different. But he’d go to Miami if that’s what Branna needed to do.

It took almost an hour to give their statements and answer all Marcus and Shanice’s questions. By the time they were through, Sean felt like he’d been on the wrong end of a sledgehammer. And he didn’t have a concussion or a gunshot wound.

They walked the two to the door, where they shook hands. Branna smiled at them both. “Thank you for everything. I’m so relieved Prince Hawley is in jail where he belongs. And thanks for making this part as easy as you could. Let us know what else you need from us.”

Shanice smiled. “I’m sure we’ll be in touch, but we’ve got the worst out of the way for now. We’ll have the US Marshals involved in returning these four to Miami, although Hawley will have to face charges here in Vermont as well. We’ll let the judges decide how that will take place.”

Marcus grinned at them both. “Now you’ll have a chance to really explore the town and see what it has to offer. Including a saloon looking for someone to bring it back to life.”

Once they drove away, Sean closed and locked the door behind them. He would never take Branna’s safety for granted.

Branna headed to the old couch and flopped down in the middle. Jabba hopped up and snuggled into her side. Sean took the other side and picked up her hand. “That was kind of rough. I didn’t expect it to take so much out of me.”

Her eyebrows shot up. “You too? It’s not just me being a wimp?”

He laughed. “Don’t think you could be a wimp if you tried. How about we head upstairs and take a nap?”

“It’s a long way away, but this couch isn’t nearly as comfortable.”

“We can do it.” He stood and offered her his hand. “Want a lift?”

She smiled and laced her fingers with his. “Nope, but I’ll take a hand.”

Jabba took over their spots on the couch as they headed for the stairs. Branna smiled and bumped her hip into his as they climbed. “Lia said something interesting this morning.”

“What was that?”

“She said it was important to take things slow and easy for at least a week.”

Sean nodded, wondering where she was going with this.

At the top of the stairs, they turned toward their room and Branna looped her good arm through his. “She said it was important not to do any headboard banging or acrobatics, but that slow and easy works.”

Sean’s feet stumbled, and he looked down at her grin. “Seriously? It’s okay to make love to you as long as we take it slow and easy?”

Her eyes sparkled. “You’re really good at slow and easy. Well, you’re really good at all of it—” Her face flushed, and she giggled, making him laugh as well.

Sean stopped at the side of the bed. He hadn’t been able to make love to her when he’d told her he loved her. When he heard her say those words to him.

He cupped her face and kissed her as gently as he could. Passion and desire filled him, and he let his kiss show her how damn much he loved her. “I’m going to love every inch of your skin. I’m going to kiss and lick and touch every part of you and treat you like the precious treasure you are.”

Her knees wobbled, and he laughed into the next kiss. “You might want to hang onto something, darling because I’m about to love you into next week.”

* * *

A few days later, Branna felt completely healed. The emotional damage would be something she’d have to deal with for years to come, but her body and brain were back to normal.

After a shower where Sean had taken slow and gentle to a whole new level, he grinned at her. “How would you like to go on a date?”

She laughed. “I think we’ve moved past the dating bit.”

He shook his head. “Nope. Never. We’ve skipped the normal order of things, but that doesn’t mean they’re not important. I want to always go on dates with you. Romantic ones, silly ones, adventures. All kinds.”

Branna’s heart melted a little more. “That sounds perfect. I’d love to go on a date with you. I’d love to go on lots of dates with you.”

“This one is an adventure. Let’s have lunch at the No Fail Diner and then check out the town.”