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I shoved my hands in my pockets. “Look, Emilie, this isn’t a good time. I was in the middle of—”
She beamed a smile at him. “You know what, I did have a little look at your file. I know you’re not married. According to the bureau, you haven’t had a long-term girlfriend in a while. So I guess Little Miss Blondie is new. We’re colleagues. No reason you can’t be hospitable. I know you have a new life now. Or should I say old, new life. Everything old is new again. But you have loose ends that need tying up.”
I crossed his arms. “Emilie, my relationships are none of your business. While I do appreciate your stopping by, I also have other things I need to do. Remember, I’m a civilian now. And quite frankly, none of this is my problem anymore.”
It was the first time I’d seen Emilie’s smile falter.
“I guess I’m intruding. But I really do have some questions about the Vandergraffs. The file said the daughter was supposed to be with her friends that night. But when we followed up, that friend said she wasn’t there. So where did the girl go? What luck she wasn’t in the house when the hit went down.”
I gritted my teeth. “If she had been, I would have reported it.”
She smiled and nodded. But I could tell from her eyes that she didn’t believe me. “Of courseyouwould’ve.” She nodded toward the back rooms. “I guess your girlfriend is waiting on you?” Emilie’s eyes narrowed toward the back hall.
“Yes. She is. So you’d better go.”
“Fair enough. I’ll save our sleuthing for the office then. As the details of this case are classified, it’s not wise to discuss it where someone else might overhear. I’ll call Alan to set something up.”
“That’s probably for the best. Besides”—I shrugged—“I’ve given you all the details I have of that night.”
“Well, it’s always a good idea to double-check. I suppose I’ll let you get back to yourguest.”
What was she playing at? Why was she really here? She couldn’t think that I’d possibly be interested after everything that had happened before.
“Perfect. I look forward to a more official meeting.”
She smiled up at me. “You go ahead and enjoy that beer though. Hope you and yourguestenjoy the night.”
I showed her the door and deliberately avoided her attempt to brush up against me. “I’ll be seeing you, Emilie.”
“That you will, Rafe DeMarco.”
After I locked up and reset the security alarms, I pinched the bridge of my nose, my headache having become more prominent.
That’s what happens when you live a life of lies. They weigh on you.
In the kitchen, I found just what I needed on the counter. It looked like it had fallen out of Diana’s purse.
Picking up the bottle of aspirin, I took two. I’d carved a new life for myself. I was a new man now. The past was the past. Dredging up that old file would just drag me back to a place I never wanted to go again.
I was not that man. I wasn’t. And I resented Emilie trying to remind me of who I used to be. My future was down the hall and uptown in a glass penthouse.Family. I’d forgotten how important they were.
I was never going to be out in the cold again.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Rafe
I stood in the kitchen for a few minutes, too wound up by Emilie’s visit to pretend. Diana would want to know what was wrong and there was nothing I could tell her. She didn’t know about my past and how I was trying to reinvent myself. With her, I’d been able to start fresh, and I didn’t have to drag any of that shit into what I had with her.
I liked that what I had with her was pure. Untouched.
Gradually my thoughts turned back to where we’d left off, and I imagined her naked and wet in my bed. My erection sprang up immediately, and I followed it like a beacon to the room where Diana reclined on the bed. All I could see was soft skin, pink lips, and a smile.
At the sight of her, I felt a punch of lust so strong it almost took me to my knees. I climbed onto the bed and over her. Dimly, I realized that I was going too fast. Being too rough. But suddenly all I could think about was her—her smell, her taste, being inside her.
“Need to feel you,” I rasped before burying my face in her neck and breathing deep.
Diana scratched her nails through my hair, and a wave of lust drowned out rational thinking. I cupped her breast and groaned as the soft, plump globe filled my hand.God.
