27. All Just Whispers （Hattie）
ALL JUST WHISPERS (HATTIE)
“ Y ou’re sure you want to do this?” I whisper into the darkness.
“Positive.
“Like this isn’t just the lack of sleep talking?” I stare at him in awe, still a little dazed from the best two days of makeup sex humanly possible.
“Hattie.” He growls my name, pinning me under him, giving me that blue-eyed stare that says he’s never been more sure.
I inhale sharply as he kisses me again.
“If we’re going to bury the past, then I’m sticking a damn fork in it. How could I ever leave myself open to another asshole like Daley coming in for the blackmail kill? How could I do that to us?”
I’m frowning, even though having him over me, sexy and sheltering, makes me the happiest woman alive.
“Does it have to be today? Can’t you take a few more days off to rest? Maybe regroup and talk to a lawyer first?”
“One nap. Then I’m getting my ass out of this bed and heading to the police station.”
Oh, boy.
My heart thuds in my chest, drumming with fear.
“There’s no crime there, I’m certain. Not in a legal sense.” He sighs. “Morally, I’m Jack the goddamned Ripper.”
“Hey!” I reach for his face with both hands as he gives me that caged lion look. “You can’t go in acting all guilty, beating yourself up. If you’re sure about this, just give them the truth. That’s all you owe anyone.”
For a second, he shifts his weight and then flops down next to me, another world-heaving sigh leaving his throat.
“You’re right,” he whispers into the morning after a few seconds. “For you, I’ll go in rested. Not until I have my shit together.”
“And I’ll be with you.”
“Outside. Waiting,” he adds firmly.
I nod.
If I had my way, I’d be right by his side, holding his hand, but I’ve learned when I shouldn’t push my luck.
“You’re so brave. I couldn’t do it, and honestly, I still wonder if you should—”
“Stop.” He looks at me again in the meager dawn light, his eyes shining like stars. “Nerves are contagious and I’m not having that shit. The sooner I go in, get it done, and get out, the faster we start our lives.”
“Okay,” I whisper. Then I lace my fingers through his, loving how he brings my hand to his mouth for a kiss that’s so tender.
“A few hours of shut-eye. A couple hours of heavy conversations. Then there’s nothing between us and tomorrow.”
That’s all the reminder I need.
With one lingering, sultry kiss, I snuggle down on his chest and drift off to sleep with him, signing my trust over to this man forever.