Page 35 of Sinner’s Game

Then he takes off his jacket and removes his weapon from his belt holster, and reality snaps right back around me. There’s a dead body in my house, and I’m here because I might be in danger.

Focus, girl.

I kick my shoes off and settle in on his sofa, my feet tucked under me and a soft afghan over my legs. The only thing missing is Jake, but he’s at his favorite doggy day care. We’d dropped him off on the way to Ronan’s, figuring I’d get him back once the house was no longer a crime scene. I’m hoping that will be tomorrow, but even if it is, I may go stay at Devlin and Ellie’s when Ronan leaves for his trip. I’ll go back home eventually, but considering I can’t stop seeing that body, I think tomorrow may be too soon.

I draw a breath and try to return to the moment, banishing the unwelcome memories.

“This place is amazing,” I tell him as I look out over the view. “It’s not how I pictured you living, but after seeing you here, I don’t think I can imagine you anywhere else now.”

“Do you imagine me often?” There’s a touch of heat in his voice, and it makes me feel even warmer than the blanket.

“Maybe,” I say boldly.

I see amusement twinkle in his eyes. “Brandy Bradshaw. Are you flirting with me? I thought that was strictly off-limits.”

I pull my blanket closer, then try to shrug casually. “We never said that. Not specifically. I mean, sure, you don’t do relationships. And, yes, I don’t do casual sex. But as far as I know, that doesn’t add up to a prohibition on flirting. Besides, who says I was flirting? I was just answering a question. Telling the truth.”

I can’t believe I said that. Any of it. I am not this bold with men. Not ever. But then again, I’ve never been attracted to a friend before.

“I see your point,” he says, coming over with two glasses of wine. “So tell me more.”

“More?”

“How do you imagine me?”

“Oh.” So much for being bold. Now I’m regretting starting this. My head is spinning, and I haven’t yet drunk one sip. “I don’t know,” I lie, because in my head I can see him beside me so clearly, his fingers slowly stroking my arm. He moves closer to kiss me, and I close my eyes. But before I do, I see him smile, and it fills me up from the inside out.

I draw in a shaky breath. “I see you smiling,” I say, which is as close to the truth as I can come without blushing furiously, then running off to hide in a closet.

“Fitting,” he says. “You make me smile.”

As if to prove it, the corner of his mouth rises in that sexy grin he has. I actually giggle, then take a long swallow of my wine to hide it.

When I’ve gathered myself, I indicate the house. “What I started to say was that I never imagined you in a house like this.”

“Like what?”

“Like something out of Architectural Digest.”

He lifts a shoulder. “I like fine things,” he says, his gaze roaming slowly over me. “Precious things. Beautiful things.”

“Oh.” I lick my lips, then clear my throat. “I, um, guess I always thought you seemed more of a cabin in the woods guy.”

“You mean alone with nature?”

“I guess.” I shake my head. “I don’t know. Maybe you’re just a mystery, Ronan Thorne.”

“Is that bad?”

I take another sip of my wine. At this rate, I’ll be lightheaded very soon. “No.”

“Good.” He finishes his drink in one gulp and puts his glass on the coffee table.

“Are you having more?”

“No,” he says. “I don’t think that would be a good idea.”

“Oh.”