Protecting Cheyenne (SEAL of Protection Book 5) by Susan Stoker Page A

to make sure they wouldn’t get infected or anything. They’re covered in some slimy horrible goo that makes me want to scratch. I’m not supposed to get them wet, which is ridiculous because the goo is gross and I feel disgusting after everything that happened today. I don’t have any food in my apartment, which isn’t surprising considering I was in the damn store in the first place this morning. My food is probably still sitting in my cart in the middle of one of the aisles, and I’m hungry, and I don’t know if I can eat anything because the pills they gave me are making me feel really weird.”
    Cheyenne’s words faded in the air around them and she immediately closed her eyes. Holy shit, had all that crap really just spewed out of her mouth? She was mortified.
    “Aw, come here, Shy.” Dude felt his heart melt a bit more at her words. She was adorable. Whatever drugs they’d given her were obviously making her much more talkative than she probably normally was. He’d known a few sailors and marines who reacted the same way to painkillers. They’d talk and talk and talk seemingly without any filter. It was a hell of a lot cuter on Cheyenne.
    Without waiting for her to move, Dude took a step toward her and pulled her into his arms. He relaxed as Cheyenne melted into him. He’d been half afraid she’d rebuff his attempt to soothe her. Dude heard her sniff once, then felt her bury her nose into his neck. Her breath was warm against his skin and Dude tilted his head just a bit until he was touching her with his cheek.
    “You smell good.”
    Dude smiled. That wasn’t what he thought she’d say. She was constantly surprising him.
    “Thanks.” Dude stood in the dark parking lot holding an amazing woman and realized he didn’t want to let her go. “Can I take you home?”
    “I need my car.”
    “I don’t think you should be driving. I don’t know you all that well, but I imagine if you were in your right mind you never would have told me all of that other stuff. Am I right?” He felt her nod reluctantly against him and smiled. “Okay then. I’ll take you home. I’ll arrange for your car to get to your apartment.” Dude knew he could call any of his teammates to come and get it and drive it home for her.
    Cheyenne was too tired to argue or even protest. It felt so good to be taken care of, she couldn’t remember a time when someone had offered, or who she allowed, to take care of her. At that moment Cheyenne would’ve probably agreed to anything Faulkner said.
    She startled when he spoke again, “I gotta hear you say it’s okay, Shy.”
    Cheyenne forced herself to look up at the man holding her. She looked into his eyes and saw nothing but sincerity. “Okay, but if you’re really a serial killer can you please kill me quickly? I’ve had a really bad day.” Her words came out softly, but with one hundred percent honesty.
    Dude laughed out loud and brought his hand to Cheyenne’s cheek. “Painkillers really loosen your tongue, don’t they?” He asked rhetorically. “Don’t worry, Shy, I promise I’ll get you home in one piece. You’re safe with me.”
    “I feel safe with you. I don’t know why or how, but I do. Thank you, Faulkner. Seriously. I know you probably have better things to do than lug my ass around. But I appreciate it. I do. Really.”
    Dude pulled back and kept a hand around Cheyenne’s waist, and steered her toward his truck. “I know you do, hon. Come on, let’s get you home. We don’t want you turning into a pumpkin. Do you have your keys?”
    “Yeah, my purse was delivered to me at the hospital by one of the cops when he came to get my statement. I have no idea how they found it in the chaos of the store, I sure as hell couldn’t have just slung it over my shoulder and pranced out of the store with you.”
    Dude nodded, glad he wouldn’t have to pick the lock to her apartment to get her inside. He would’ve done it, but it wasn’t exactly the first impression