Jen_C’s Reviews > Lethal Edge > Status Update

“I never expected anyone like you to come into my life,” he murmured, easing his thumb across her cheek. “A sexy, brilliant physics and astronomy nerd?” He grinned. “Yeah.” Then his expression sobered. “I’ve been holding back because of my own issues, but I’m done with that. I want you and no one else.”

The vehicle slowed even more. Came almost to a stop. Now. She set her jaw and pulled the lever downward, almost losing her grip because of the awkward angle. But it was enough. The trunk popped open, leaving her squinting against the sudden flood of light. There was no time to think. She sat up and swung her legs over the edge of the trunk, then jumped.

“It’s never been like that for me,” he said a minute later. Joy and hope expanded her heart even more, until her whole chest hurt from the pressure. “For me either.” But he didn’t say anything else, didn’t give her the words she was dying to hear, so she closed her eyes and said them to him in her head. I think I’m falling in love with you.

He couldn’t remember ever feeling this content. Or this protective. Against all odds she’d already partially wormed her way into his heart, and he’d do anything to keep her safe and spare her pain. Damn, it would be way too easy to fall for her if he let himself. He needed to be careful.

Everything tonight had changed his mind about her. From dinner in the cafeteria and the planetarium show to the situation with Rylee. Nina wasn’t naïve, she was a dreamer. He admired that, even as it made him crazy protective of her. Dreamers were vulnerable and he didn’t want anyone or anything to hurt her. Ever.

“Say I consider canceling my date on Friday. What’s in it for me?” His mind had stopped functioning. She’d short-circuited his f-ing brain. “Sorry?” “You gonna take me out instead?” The idea was a lot more appealing than he wanted it to be. “Maybe I will.” Her eyes sparkled with silent laughter. “So you’re a closet romantic after all.”

As Nina fussed over the dog, Avery’s gruff and standoffish partner’s full attention was on Nina. Glued to her, actually. Well, well. Maybe she’d misread Tate’s take on her friend completely. And If Nina couldn’t shave off some of his rough edges, no one could.

I know pretty quick whether a guy has second-date potential or not.” He was getting more interested by the minute. “How quick?” “Within the first ten minutes, give or take.” “Wow, that’s…fast.” “I know, I’m brutal. But I’ve been on enough dates to know when it’s not gonna work.” “Have you ever been on one when you knew it would work?” he pressed. “Not yet,” she admitted with a grin.