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He was a deadweight, but she did succeed in rousing hile back into his corner Jessy persisted, e

“Sit up, Ty,” she ordered patiently andhim away from the door “Come on, so I can help you into the house”

His head lolled as he tried to cos His hat was pulled so low he had to tip his head back to see

“Where are we?” he asked thickly

“We’re home” She continued to use the plural the way an adult often does with a child

The sound of her voice seemed to penetrate his consciousness for the first tih illuht did not reach inside the cab of the truc

k, and the exterior light cast even darker shadows inside Between the di vision, Ty couldn’t clearly see the face of the girl with hiue impression of dark hair and the sheen of a curved cheek He started to smile

Satisfied that he was finally awake, or as awake as he’d ever be in his condition, Jessy started to shift away from him so she could climb out the driver’s side and come around to help hiht back”

“No” His hand grabbed her forearo You ht not come back”

“Of course I will,” Jessy chided hirip

Instead of loosening his hold, he tightened it “No” Detero His arather her hard against his shoulder and chest Jessy’s resistance was te her to his a toy that had been lost His face was burrowed into her hair

“Don’t leavevoice that stirred her “I need you I always have”

“Ty” Jessy was stunned, an incredulous thrill running through her She could hardly believe what she was hearing

When he lifted his head, her face was shadowed by his hat, but he picked out the glea, but he couldn’t tell whether it was to taunt him or welcome him His intoxication lowered the barrier that usually kept e in his expression

Her breath caught, lodging in her throat, at the stark need she saw in his face It was not another cruel joke he was playing on her He meant it Her hand trele of his jaw, ht