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He obliged, and she lost herself in the sensations swirling through her body. Every part of her wanted to be closer to him, but before she could form a coherent thought, he pulled back and rested his forehead against hers. “You don’t know what you do to me, woman.”
Her lips curved upward. “I might have an idea.”
“Keep those ideas to yourself. We need to cool things off before we get carried away. I’m going to go take a cold shower.”
She didn’t see the harm in a few kisses, but taking things slow was the wiser course.
He dropped a kiss on her nose. “We can watch a movie after. If you’d like.”
Yes. She’d like to spend as much time with him as possible. Before long they’d be back in Pennsylvania in their separate towns and they’d go weeks without seeing each other again. She closed her eyes against the sudden burning behind them. Crying wouldn’t solve anything. If they were going to be a couple, they’d have to find a way to see each other. And, as Jenna reminded her, Cate was the one with the financial means to make that happen. Should they want to get serious, she’d have to consider a move.
Malachi reveled in the feel of his arm around Cate’s body. If they hadn’t gotten away from Hector’s place in time, Cate would’ve become collateral damage from his asking too many questions. A call to Hector confirmed he and his dogs were safe, but an uneasiness squeezed his chest tight. Someone wanted them to stop digging into Jade. Who? If the group remained in Pennsylvania, who was left to harass them? Or had they returned to West Virginia? It was more likely than not, but Reece wouldn’t be wise to return with the FBI on his trail. Could his father be behind the shooting? He rubbed his forehead and tried to concentrate on the chick flick Cate found for them to watch.
He didn’t know what the movie was called and hadn’t caught much of the story. The delicious mix of apples and pears emanating from the gorgeous creature beside him brought a smile to his lips despite his frustration with earlier events. And that wasn’t the only thing keeping him from concentrating on the film.
She reached for the remote and paused the movie. “What’s on your mind? You seem distracted.”
“Sharing what I’m thinking about will not help either of us right now.”
“Do you regret me coming with you?”
“Not at all.” Well, maybe a little. But no reason to speak it aloud. His discomfort with her being there had nothing to do with wanting her there. Getting shot at earlier reminded him that this investigation wasn’t safe for either of them, and he didn’t want to put her in harm’s way again.
“Are you sure?”
“I promise.”
She kissed him, and he let the need to be close to her overtake him for a moment. But after a few passionate kisses he pulled back and caught his breath, lifting a prayer for the Lord to help him overcome temptation. She unpaused the movie and rested her head on his shoulder.
Cate returned her attention to the television screen and absently ran her fingers up and down his arm. He forced himself to remain a gentleman and kept his hands to himself.
When the final credits rolled, he was both relieved and disappointed. The last thing he wanted to do was head to their separate bedrooms, but putting distance between them was necessary for his sanity. They should’ve rented a hotel with their own rooms preferably on different floors. That would’ve been smarter. Here they were sharing a house. Even if they weren’t sharing a bedroom, it would be far too easy to give in to their mutual desire. From here on out, he’d keep a respectable distance. And heaven help him if that wasn’t what she had in mind, too.
If she was wearing his ring, he wouldn’t have to fight his physical reactions to her. He forced his mind back to the present and away from thoughts of making her his wife. She’d likely panic and think he was moving far too fast if she knew where his thoughts were going. Normal people didn’t give their hearts away that fast.
She’d admitted to having feelings for him in a roundabout way, and she was demonstrating a definite attraction. Heaven knew he was falling for her. Her brother Grayson might be intimidating, but Malachi had no intention of letting him get in the way of what was developing between them.
Cate was incredible. Malachi never expected to find a woman he connected with the way he did with her. Everything about her appealed to him: from her being an animal lover who loved spending time outdoors, to her easy conversational style. Talking with her was comfortable. He felt compelled to share things with her nobody knew outside of his foster family. Although he had originally intended to go on this trip solo, it seemed fitting to have her accompanying him.
It might be too soon to speak aloud about a future together, but if he could convince her to take a chance on him, he hoped to spend the rest of his life attempting to make her happy, God willing. Closing his eyes, he lifted up a prayer asking the Lord for direction and the patience to wait on His timing.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Becky walked along the road until she heard a truck coming. It was risky to wave him down. What if it was one of Reece’s men? She had to take the chance. She was too far from civilization to walk anywhere. Making it to Worlds End seemed plausible when she’d left the campsite, but she had no sense of direction and couldn’t get herself there without assistance. When the vehicle drew closer she waved frantically, hoping the driver would slow. But he kept going, ignoring her obvious distress.
It was a good thirty minutes later before she heard another car. This time the driver stopped. “You need help?” The woman appeared to be in her fifties with long silvery hair and a warm smile.
“Yes, please. I was separated from my group. Is there any way you can get me to the park office at Worlds End?”
“Wow. You did more than get separated. You’re nearly fifteen miles from where you need to be. Hop on in. It’s in the opposite direction from where I’m going, but I’ll take you there.”
If the woman was willing to go out of her way, then she wasn’t going to argue. She couldn’t turn to Ezekiel. He’d been clear when they’d spoken on the telephone that he had no desire to rekindle their relationship. Nor did he wish to return to Jade. He went so far as to call it a cult. If it was, he’d been the founder, so she wasn’t sure what that said about him.
Malachi would step up and protect her. Even without knowing her identity, she had sensed his desire to help. Once he understood who he was and where he belonged, he’d embrace her world, and he’d eliminate Reece.
Cate leaned back in her desk chair and stared out her office window. Something changed while they’d been in West Virginia. She tapped her pen on the arm of her chair. No. It wasn’t her imagination. Something was different. There was an immediate connection when they’d met, but the past few days had solidified it. Now they had to figure out what to do about it. A budding relationship was one thing, but long-distance was another.
It felt so good watching a movie with him beside her, but they wouldn’t have opportunities like that often. When he came to see her, he’d have a long ride home. Even if they met in the middle, they’d both have a distance to drive to get back home. And at dusk they’d be worried about deer.
