Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
“No promises, but I know some people. I can make some calls.”
“I love that you’d do that.” She smiled as he opened the door to the parking lot. “And you’re right. We make a good team.”
Her words were like a caress to his heart, igniting a fierce spark of hope in his chest.
God, he wished she’d tell him why she’d left two years ago… Or he needed to work up the guts to ask. If she’d be honest, they could work through anything. He was convinced of that, just like he knew they were meant to be together.
For now, he bit back the words and helped her into his truck. The time wasn’t right. He hadn’t regained her trust. They were in the middle of a dangerous investigation and emotions were running high, fueled by worry and adrenaline. But she’d moved back, and that bought him time. She’d find out soon enough that he wouldn’t give up until she was his again.
“We do. In every way.” He sat beside her and let the words hang in the charged silence, heavy with barely restrained desire.
Haisley’s breath hitched as he started the engine, her pupils flaring wide as she stared back at him. He felt caught in the magnetic sway that pulled them inexorably closer.
But then she blinked away and cleared her throat. “We should start running down this information, see if we can locate that van. Oh, and revise the list of people who need interviews and the questions we should ask.”
“You’re right. Want to do that over pizza and beers?”
“I-I…don’t think it’s a good idea.”
Nash tamped down a flare of frustration. But even if he couldn’t say the things burning the tip of his tongue, he could show Haisley that he was all in. That he believed in her, understood her, supported her, and loved her with every fiber of his being. “Then we’ll start again tomorrow. I’ll track down the janitor, and together, we’ll solve these abductions.”
And as he drove her to her car and secretly followed her home to make sure she got inside her place safely, he hoped that maybe, if they kept chipping away at this case together…she’d truly believe in them again, too.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
On Thursday morning, Haisley made her way to her desk, only to find a steaming cup of coffee in an insulated mug and a blueberry muffin on her desk. She glanced around the big, open office space, but other than a few of the accounting folks, she saw no one who might have left her breakfast. She lifted the delicious-looking muffin, complete with streusel, and nearly moaned. This had to be from her favorite bakery—the one that had contributed to her carrying an extra ten pounds when she’d lived here before.
Then she saw a note under the pastry.
I came by early, hoping to catch you. Sorry I couldn’t stay. I’m heading out to meet Ethan at the mall to interview the janitor and some other food court employees. This afternoon, I’ll be talking to the final target who escaped. Ethan has been focusing on the mall manager and says he has a new development. I’m hoping you’re able to make some progress on your end, especially in talking to Benedict.
I know you used to enjoy these muffins. Have a good day.
-N
Against her better judgment, Haisley was touched. Leaving her coffee and her favorite muffin was sweet. Considerate. Almost…boyfriend-like. Not something a mere hookup would do. Not strictly professional but not pushy or flirty, either.
Damn it, that man confused her, but she couldn’t stop thinking about him. What was he up to?
Being with him the last couple of days had felt…different. He acted as if he liked her as a person. Respected her. Cared about her opinion, even. He hadn’t tried to push her into bed again or even kiss her. Her head told her that was a good thing. Her heart wasn’t sure. And her body was calling her twenty kinds of stupid because it only wanted Nash.
Maybe that’s why the dam of feeling she’d been desperately trying to contain behind her walls had begun to break free. Somehow, Nash had worked his way under her skin again and seeped into the carefully guarded corners of her heart. With every heated look, every teasingly suggestive remark, and every compliment that rolled off his tongue, he’d chipped away at her resistance.
Two years ago, she’d sputtered a halfhearted BS excuse, cut off all contact, and fled halfway across the country. She’d felt horrible that she’d lied to him, but she’d spared him the worst of the pain, right? Yes. And she’d stayed far away until she’d convinced herself she was over him. But nothing had loosened Nash’s death-grip on her heart.
Now, Haisley had to admit that she was falling for him all over again. Maybe it was time to face the fact she was always going to be in love with him.