AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Kristi shivered. “I’m freezing.”
“A few more minutes.” Rafe inched closer to share his body heat.
“Oh, man. You’re like a furnace.”
He chuckled. “That’s good?”
“Wonderful.” She finished her tea and set the mug on the nightstand. “I’ll be fine if you need to leave.”
“Close your eyes and let me hold you.”
He wouldn’t get an argument from her. Rafe holding her was a miracle. “Will you get in trouble with the others?”
“Nope. I’m not on duty tonight.”
“Because you were on duty last night?”
“That’s right. Relax and let the medicine and cold packs do their job,” he murmured.
Kristi kissed his jaw and closed her eyes.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Rafe returned to the kitchen where his teammates and Rio were gathered around the table. After tossing the cold packs into the freezer, he joined them.
“How is Kristi now?” Jackson asked.
“Asleep. I’ll check on her in a few minutes. I don’t want to be gone long in case she needs anything.”
Eli studied him. “Have something to share with the class, Torres?”
He frowned. Did he have a neon sign on his forehead? “My business, not yours.”
“If you’re emotionally compromised, we need to know.”
“Doesn’t matter if I am or not. Neither you nor anyone else is tossing me off her protection detail.”
“No one said a word about replacing you,” Jon said. “If she’s more than an assignment to you, assigning someone for backup protects you and Kristi.”
Rafe glared at his teammate, then sighed. “Yeah, okay. I’m involved with Kristi. Happy now?”
“That was quick,” Jackson muttered. “Did you smooth-talk her into dating while you ran for your lives on that mountainside?”
He knew how it looked. His jaw clenched. Too bad. Life wasn’t guaranteed. He wasn’t passing up a chance to know Kristi better.
Whether this relationship deepened beyond explosive chemistry and into love was anyone’s guess. Rafe wanted a chance to see where this went. “She was Callie’s friend. I’ve known her for a few years.” Truthfully, Rafe knew her through Callie. Perhaps that explained why he felt comfortable with her. Even thinking in terms of a relationship after the past three years of mourning Callie felt strange but right.
“Your judgment is compromised,” Jackson accused.
“Like Cal’s judgment was compromised with Rachelle, or Eli’s with Brenna and Jon’s with Dana? They handled the distraction. Do you think I’m incapable of staying focused when the situation demands it?”
His friend’s cheeks reddened. Along with anger, though, pain and hurt roiled in the depths of his eyes. What caused those emotions in the medic?
“Rafe, if you reach a point where you can’t focus, I need to know.” Eli folded his arms across his chest.
He gritted his teeth, hating that his teammates questioned his judgment. Rafe understood, but he didn’t like it. “Yes, sir.” He vowed to make sure that particular talk with his team leader wasn’t necessary.
“Now that you’ve joined us, we need to work out a plan for tomorrow. When do you want to leave for Bakerhill?”
