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Eli, shirtless, with a blanket tossed over his shoulders, joined her on the long couch that served as a lounge space. In one hand, he held a towel. He gently began to dry her still dripping hair. “Stay awake for me, Sienna. EMS will be here soon.”
His touch was intoxicating. A warmth that had nothing to do with the air flowing from the vent at her feet surged through her veins. Sienna moved closer to him on the couch, her gaze falling to the mottled scars visible on his abdomen. Once again, she was struck by how close Eli had come to being killed last year. And again, just now.
Her hand reached out and pressed against his bare chest. Despite the freezing water temperatures, his skin was warm to the touch. His heart thumped against her palm. Solid. Steady.
A lump formed in her throat. One that couldn’t be dislodged as tears filled her eyes. There was so much to say, but her muddled brain couldn’t string the words together. This man hadn’t been her first love, but he was the one she’d intended to spend the rest of her life with. Losing him had scarred her deeply.
If he’d died in the water… before she’d said her peace… Sienna couldn’t have borne that.
She swallowed down the lump in her throat. “Eli…”
He stilled as his gaze lifted to meet hers. Sienna could’ve drowned in his eyes. They were dark recesses of fathomless blue that reached right inside her chest and grabbed hold of her heart.
Her breath stalled. Suddenly, she became aware of every place they were touching. Eli’s hand cupping her cheek, his fingers tangled in her hair, and his thigh pressed up against hers. Desire, a longing that’d existed since the moment she’d seen him standing outside the police department two days ago, urged her closer.
Without a word, Eli tipped his head forward and captured her mouth with his. Heat blasted through every part of Sienna as wisdom and logic and reason fled. There was nothing but emotion. A passion that’d formed the basis for their relationship so long ago, fueled by a connection neither of them could deny. It’d been easy to forget while apart. Simple enough for Sienna to convince herself that what she’d shared with Eli had been better in her head than in real life.
But that was a lie.
Her hand snaked up to wrap around his neck as he deepened the kiss. Molten lava filled her insides as her heart tumbled into the past.
Then abruptly, Eli pulled away.
Cold air rushed in to replace the warmth of his body. Dazed, Sienna blinked as she registered the look of shock on Eli’s face. She reached for him, but he backed away.
“That shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry.”
“Eli, wait.” Her words came out in a rush. “Let’s talk. Give me a chance to explain—”
“No.” His tone was hard and unyielding, shocking her into silence with its finality. Eli refused to meet her gaze as he gently wrapped the blanket back around her shoulders. “Someone tried to kill you. Again. In order to solve this case, I need to focus. Which means that whatever happened in the past needs to stay there.” He retreated from the couch. “The police must be here. I’ll be right back.”
He marched to the sliding glass doors without a backward glance. They swished closed behind him, leaving her alone and heartbroken all over again.
Just as she’d feared.
TEN
The Sandalwood Police Department hummed with activity. Eli paced the hallway outside of an interrogation room. Sienna was inside, along with her attorney, Chief Ramirez, and Texas Ranger Cole Donnelly.
It’d been hours since the attack at the marina. Eli had already given his statement, but per protocol, Sienna had to be interviewed separately. Since she was charged with Albert’s murder, Isabella Gomez, her attorney, had insisted on being present.
Would the chief finally agree to have the Texas Rangers join the case? Would he realize Sienna was innocent of Albert’s murder? Would there be a follow-up investigation into Ruby’s disappearance?
Eli prayed the answers to all of those questions would be yes. The attacks on Sienna’s life were becoming increasingly violent. Having the Sandalwood Police Department’s cooperation could make the perpetrator think twice about trying again. Especially if the Texas Rangers were also involved.
There was no one Eli trusted more than the members of his own team. They’d move heaven and earth to get to the truth.
“Stop pacing.” Texas Ranger Ryker Montgomery approached carrying crackers from the vending machine and a set of takeaway coffees. His dark hair was messy, as if he’d run his hands through it dozens of times, and his clothes were wrinkled from the long drive out to Sandalwood. He jerked his chin toward a chair. “Sit before you work a groove in the floor.”
Eli reluctantly claimed the chair. His skin felt itchy from the salt water. He’d been able to change into dry clothes, thanks to the spare set he kept in his truck at all times, but hadn’t had a shower. Nor had he eaten since this morning. The sight of the crackers made his stomach rumble. He tore open the package.
Ryker straddled another chair before handing Eli a coffee. “What’s got you all worked up?”
“Other than the fact that a maniac in a speedboat tried to kill Sienna?” Eli shoved a cracker in his mouth and chewed furiously before downing it with coffee. The dark brew shot straight through him. He put his thumb and forefinger millimeters from each other. “It was this close, Ryker. If we’d jumped a second or two later, you’d be searching for our bodies in the water.”
Ryker wasn’t fazed by the last comment. He took a swig of his own coffee. “I highly doubt that’s the reason you’re in a snit. Don’t forget, I was there when you were shot last year. You were totally calm.” He leveled his gaze. “So why don’t we cut to the chase and you tell me what’s really bothering you?”
Eli should’ve known his best friend would see right through him. The two men had grown up together, and there were few secrets between them.
