" Do you have to replace the front door every day?”
Smiling at him, not a big smile, but a smile nonetheless. It warmed Jack from the inside out.
“What are you talking about? I told you, you’re safe here.”
“Are you safe here?”
“What?”
He didn’t understand what she meant, but he liked her sweet smile.
“Women. They must beat down that door every day to get to you.”
He cracked up with laughter.
“You think so, huh.”
“Oh, yeah.”
“I think you’re pretty damn beautiful yourself.”
“Yeah, right. I hear bandages and bruises are in this year.”
“You’re beautiful.”
They stared at each other, that invisible but undeniable something passing between them.
He wanted to touch her, but knew now wasn’t the time. As forward as she’d been joking with him about women beating down his door, she shied away from acknowledging this thing between them.
He broke off the look first and dug out his supplies. He wrapped a bandage around her thigh, trying not to think about the softness of her skin or the fact she was naked under the sheet.
Her eyes fluttered shut. He bent down and kissed her on the forehead. She placed her hand on his cheek.
Such a simple gesture. He leaned into her palm, felt her fingers brush against his skin.
How long has it been since a simple touch affected him so deeply?
Reluctant to leave her, nonetheless he drew back and her eyes remained closed. He took her hand from his cheek and placed it on the pillow next to her head.
He nuzzled at her ear and whispered, “Beautiful. Believe it.”

-Jenna & Jack "

― Jennifer Ryan , Saved by the Rancher (The Hunted, #1)