"Hey," Brack's warm hand rubbed my shoulder.

I cried harder. "You don't understand."

"I think I do."

I was too upset to respond. He let me cry for several minutes, making slow circles on my back. When he spoke, his voice was low and soothing, "When we're faced with death, it's a normal reaction to reaffirm life. Sex is the best way to do that. There isn't a Marine out there who will tell you differently."

He had my full attention now. "You were a Marine?" I sniffed.

"Yes, and then a cop," he said as he pulled a few strands of hair from my face.

"You're too young."

"And you're too young to be the reigning world singles champion. I joined the Marines at eighteen and went to the police academy at twenty-two."

I sniffed again. "Why did you quit?"

He hesitated a moment and I thought he wouldn't answer. "I spent my military enlistment in the Middle East and saw some very bad things. My Marine brothers died. Women and children died and I never suffered an injury. Three years after joining the force, a meth addict shot me high in the leg. I almost bled out. They sentenced him to five years in prison because the jury felt sorry for him and his poor upbringing. I resigned the day after sentencing and here I am."

"Wouldn't he have received the death penalty if he'd killed you?"

"Yep."

The justice system made no sense. I'd read numerous reports about stalkers. After years of tormenting their victims, the sentencing was relatively minor. Most victims said they continued living in fear when the stalker got out of jail or prison within a year. I rolled a little and looked into Brack's eyes. "After you healed, what did you want to do?"

His smile made me hot. "Fuck everything in sight."

Was that really what was wrong with me? "I've never acted this way. It's like I have no control."

"Come here," he said as he gathered me in his arms and rose to his feet. He walked to the bed and lay down with me cuddled against his chest. It felt good and his scent calmed me even further.

For some reason, my breakdown had my sexual urges receding and I could think without desire clouding my brain. "Why won't you have sex with me? And before you say I'm a job, please be honest. I get it if you aren't attracted to me. I'm old enough to understand that an erection does not mean you're lusting after me. If I'm not your type or you have a girlfriend you're staying faithful to just tell me."

A deep grumble from his chest vibrated against my cheek. "Are you finished?"

"I guess," I said in a small voice.

His arms squeezed just a little more firmly. "You turned me on from the moment I saw you. Even looking like death warmed over, you didn't want that security jerk assisting you in any way. I immediately knew you were trouble. For the first time in a long time, I looked forward to a challenge. And to answer your questions, I don't have a girlfriend and my erection is because you're hotter than hell. God I love your ass. It does serious things to my resolve." His hand went into the hair at my neck. He gently pulled my head back so he looked into my eyes. "I will not compromise your life by having sex with you. You might say its slam, bam, thank you ma'am, but I think it will be more. Much more."

His words sent a thrill from my fingertips to my toes. Most women would probably continue with the sex line of this discussion. But when I thought about more than a one-night stand, the thrill turned to nervous jitters and I changed the subject. "Was that a tennis joke?" I referred to the "slam bam" comment.

He laid his head back against the pillow and brought me against his chest again. "Could be."

"You know more about tennis than you let on."

"After your father contacted me, I took an internet crash course in Olivia Stradmore Tennis 101. I needed to know about your lifewho you were outside of being Senator Stradmore's daughter. I also needed a game plan to keep you safe."

I took a deep breath, filling my lungs with Brack. "Were you planning to bring me here all along?"

He sighed. "Yes. I was prepared to kidnap you if that's what it took. I'm sorry about the flowers getting through, but it made my job easier."

"Will you get him?" I heard the little girl quality in my voice. Brack made me feel safe yet vulnerable.

"Mack's very good at what he does. Finding this monster is his job. Mine is keeping you alive." He gave a little tug to a small section of my hair. "We're both very good at our jobs."

"You've seen me at my worst. I'm not proud of how I've acted. And though I love my father, being the senator's daughter is not my favorite personality."

A rumbling laugh escaped his chest. "I'm not sure we bring out the best in each other." He tugged my hair again. "I'm sorry, but I couldn't ask Mack to buy you a vibrator. I'm selfish and don't want anyone knowing you're sexually turned on all the time."

I playfully slapped his chest. "That was so mean. I really needed that vibrator."

His voice went serious. "How's your head?"

Whoa, that was a quick change in subject. I decided not to rock the boat because we were speaking to each other like semi-reasonable adults. "My scalp is a little tender and I want the damn stitches out. I don't think the concussion is a factor anymore."

"I can remove the stitches in two days. I think what you need is exercise until you fall into bed each night. Since you like to bitch about my weak lungs and bulk, why don't you train me? I'll keep working with you on self-defense too."

"Exercise in place of sex doesn't seem like a fair trade." I yelped when he pinched my thigh. Something else poked my hip, but I wasn't ruining a good thing by acknowledging it. "Thank you," I said instead.

"You won't be thanking me after I kick your ass at racquetball."

"In your dreams, big boy. I'll be wiping the floor with you."

He released me and rolled from the bed. I felt the immediate loss of his warmth. "I need to up my game then," he said over his shoulder as he entered the bathroom.

"Remember what I said about boners. I have matches and I will light this damn place up."

He stopped and gave me his familiar cocky smirk. "Don't worry; it will only take a few seconds."

I threw a pillow at the door after he shut it. Evil man!