Page 45 of Gerard
Gerard shut off the engine and rolled down his window as well. “I won’t be long.” He dropped down from the truck and strode into the building and up the stairs to his room. He grabbed a gym bag and shoved clothes from the closet and the dresser into the bag, along with the night vision goggles, the bullet-proof vest and the radio headset. Better to have it and not need it than not have it and need it. He shoved a pair of combat boots in and a packet of condoms.
Last night, he'd told himself the previous night would be a one-time affair. He’d blown that vow this morning when he’d made love with Bernie all over again. He knew it was just going to make it harder when he did make the break, but...
Better to have protection and not need it than not have it and need it.
Less than five minutes later, he descended the stairs and jogged out to the truck.
Bernie wasn’t where he’d left her in the passenger seat.
His heart skipped several beats before he saw movement out of the corner of his eye.
Bernie stood in the shade of a sycamore tree, her cell phone pressed to her ear. “That’s good to know,” she said, a small smile curling her lips. “Thank you, Dr. Saulnier.” She ended the call and turned to Gerard, a full-on smile spreading across her face.
She absolutely glowed, her joy so beautiful it hit him full in the gut.
He pressed a hand to his belly. “Was that the vet?”
She walked toward him. “Howey’s awake and eating.”
When he opened his arms, she walked into them. She pressed her cheek to his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist.
Bernie fit against him so perfectly that holding her felt like...home. That thought sucked all the air from his lungs. It took a full minute of holding her before he could find and use his voice again. “That’s good to know. Do we need to stop by the vet’s office and pick him up?”
She shook her head without moving it from his chest. “No. The vet wants to continue monitoring him through the night and ensure whatever was in his system is flushed out before I take him home.” She sighed. “And he’s probably better off at the vet’s office. At least he won’t be poisoned there.”
Gerard’s arms tightened around her. “Ready to go home?”
She nodded but didn’t make a move to leave his embrace. Then she shook her head. “No. I’m not ready.”
“We don’t have to go there. We could stay in town and go to Broussard’s, buy candy bars and sodas, then head down to the marina and sit on the dock with our feet in the water.”
She leaned back and smiled into his eyes. “That sounds good, all the way up to dangling our feet in the water.”
“What? You don’t like getting your feet wet in anything but mud?”
She laughed. “No. I love getting my feet wet. It’s just that there are a couple of alligators that like to hang out by the marina looking for some of the chum the fisherman chunk into the water after cleaning their catches of the day. I wouldn’t want them to mistake my bare feet for chum and take a bite. But if you feel the need to dangle your toes in alligator-infested waters, by all means, knock yourself out.”
“Smart ass,” he grumbled. “Way to shoot down a perfectly good date idea with a little reality.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Since you’re not with me on the dock dangling, can I interest you in heading out to beautiful Bellamy Acres for the joy of picking a thousand watermelons?”
“You really know how to sweep a girl off her feet, don’t you?”
He bent and swung her up into his arms. “I might not know much about animals and farm life, but I can sweep you up in my arms.”
She giggled. “I give you an A for effort and style. Now, you can put me down before you strain something. I’m not a petite little thing like most women.”
“No, you’re not,” he said. “And that’s a good thing. I usually look like a dirty old man with a little girl when I date petite women. You’re the perfect height and weight. I don’t feel like I’ll break you if I bump against you accidentally.”
Her brow twisted. “Thank you, I think.”
“Yes, that was my awkward attempt at a compliment.” He carried her to the truck.
She pulled the handle to open the door, and he deposited her on the passenger seat.
This time, when he leaned in to buckle her belt, she caught his cheeks between her palms and kissed him. “Thank you.”
“For buckling your seatbelt?” He nodded. “You’re welcome.”
“Thank you for being here,” she said. “I know I’m your assignment and all, but it’s nice to have someone to lean on, even if it’s only for a short time.”