Page 88 of Nixon’s Promise

“You know, self-control. Slow, calculated movements. A gentle hand and a firm voice.”

Nixon chuckled and as always, the warm, gooey feeling slid down my body.

“Holden wouldn’t know gentle if it smacked him in the face,” Jameson told me.

“Wonder what he’ll do when he finally ropes her?” I teased.

Nixon winked and squeezed my shoulder. He understood my reference. Our own inside joke, just the two of us. My belly flip-flopped at the thought—just us. I liked that.

“He probably won’t get that far. He looks like he’s out of patience already.” Jameson nodded toward the barn and sure enough, Holden was standing with his hands on his hips, looking pissed.

“He doesn’t have to help. Zack can do it by himself.” I nudged Nixon.

“He’s just irritated about the case,” Nix returned.

“That reminds me,” I began. “I started those searches. Hopefully something will pop up by morning. Also, no one logged into the forum, but I set an alert to my phone, so when someone does, I’ll know. When are you all heading up?”

“What about facial recognition?” Weston asked.

“What about it?” I turned to him.

“If we get you a picture, how quickly can you run it?”

“Fast.”

“Holden will stay on the pizzeria. As soon as you tell him someone logged in, he’ll get you pictures. But there’s undoubtedly going to be a lot for you to sift through,” Nixon informed me.

“I’ll make it a priority,” I assured him. “I’ll see what I can dig up on Miller, finish securing the network, and I’ll be on standby for any pictures.”

“Can’t tell you how much we appreciate your help.”

I didn’t know what to say to Nixon, so I smiled, and that earned me another shoulder squeeze.

I was in bed drifting off when my phone beeped with a text.

I rolled and snatched my phone off the nightstand, hit the message icon, and saw Nixon’s name.

Nixon Swagger: Wish I had more time alone with you tonight.

God, so did I.

The guys left soon after Holden and Zack had finally locked Sally in the barn. Shortly after that, Nixon had taken me up to my bedroom to say goodbye in private. A farewell that included a fair amount of making out on my bed. But not enough to go further than kissing and over the clothes groping. He needed to get home and get his “kit” ready, and Mandy and Zack were wandering around the house, so he kept our encounter light. Unfortunately.

I quickly tapped out a reply: Me, too. Did you get everything ready?

His next text was instant: Yep, all done. Feel like sneaking out?

My tummy swooshed and I texted back the only answer I could: Hell yes!

34

Nixon had slept most of the two-hour drive to Philadelphia. He hadn’t dragged his ass home until nearly three AM. The lethargy was well worth the extra hours he’d spent with McKenna. He’d picked her up and driven her down Coopers Lane, out past Drayton Manor to the end of Kinnairds Point. The area had changed a lot since he was a teenager. Large beautiful homes now took up what used to be prime make-out locations.

Luckily, he remembered where the old dirt path was that led to the water’s edge of Still Pond Creek. He’d tossed a blanket down and they’d spent hours doing nothing but talking. Yeah, the fatigue was well worth it.

Now he was standing outside of Vinny’s Pizzeria where Holden would be staying while the rest of the team, including Alec, were headed to Carpenter’s Hall.

“You ready?” Alec asked. “The bomb disposal unit is en route.”