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I decided to make a fresh pot of coffee instead when I heard the key turn in the kitchen door and the muted sound of men’s voices. My gun was in the center drawer of my desk, only a few feet away, but the sound of Jack’s voice stopped me from running to get it.
I let out a breath and wandered into the kitchen. My eyes immediately went to Jack, hungry for the sight of him. He quite literally took my breath away. It was crazy to think that something so beautiful and good could be mine, but he was, and the thought didn’t terrify me as much as it had even a day ago. He wanted me. And he loved me. No strings attached. Except marriage, but I still wasn’t thinking about that.
He’d stripped away his jacket with the warming temperatures, and I noticed he’d changed clothes some time after our visit to Doc Randall’s. Things must have gotten messy. He wore jeans and a faded denim shirt with the sleeves rolled up, his weapon secure at his side. My gaze wandered over him, and when I finally met his eyes they were so filled with lust and need that it made my breath catch. It was then I remembered we weren’t alone, and I was very probably making a fool out of myself.
“I just came in to start a fresh pot of coffee,” I said.
I broke eye contact so I didn’t give into temptation and jump Jack’s bones. He sent every hormone I had into overdrive. I hadn’t thought about sex this much since—no, best not to go there. Even with Brody it hadn’t been this intense. This important. I’d known the difference real love could make from the first moment Jack had touched me, and it was a disservice to Jack in the here and now and Brody’s memory to pretend otherwise.
I ducked my head and hurried over to the counter where the coffeemaker sat, keeping my back to the room until I got my emotions under control. I found comfort in the simple task of measuring coffee grounds.
“I could drink a cup,” Jack said. “How about you, Carver?”
“I’d rather have a beer myself, but I guess coffee will do.”
I turned at the mention of Agent Carver. We’d spoken on the phone once when he’d helped us gather information on Jeremy Mooney, just before he tried to kill me. But I’d never actually met Carver in person. I knew he was a close friend of Jack’s, and that they’d served together in the military. My knowledge ended there.
Carver wasn’t a big man, skimming just under six feet, and he wasn’t as broad as Jack through the shoulders. He was leaner, with a runner’s body, but he held himself with an awareness that was inherent in all cops, and he carried his weapon comfortably at his side. His black slacks and white dress shirt were travel worn, but his shoes were shined to a blinding polish. His sandy blond hair was short and his eyes were a misty green that missed nothing.
“So you’re Doctor Graves,” he said with a smile, holding out his hand for me to shake. “Ben Carver. I’ve heard a lot about you.” He cut his eyes to Jack and wiggled his eyebrows.
“Call me J.J.,” I said, taking his hand. “It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Yeah, well, I would have come down to meet you sooner if I’d known you were beautiful. Jack told me what he and his friends did to you in third grade,” he said, shaking his head sadly. “I’d be happy to help you find a decent man. You don’t want to get stuck with this loser,” pointing to Jack. “I can finally understand why he keeps himself secluded in this Godforsaken place. Wasting his talent, if you ask me. Not that he ever asks, mind you, but I like to give my opinion when I think it’s needed.”
I smiled because I couldn’t help myself, but I looked at Jack and arched a brow. “Have you secluded yourself because of me, Jack? I had no idea.”
He winked and gave me a smile I knew was just for me. “I’m right where I want to be.” He reached up to get mugs down from the cabinet and brought them over to me.
“Jack always did have all the luck,” Carver sighed, looking forlorn. “I don’t suppose you have a sister? Twins would be even better.”
I laughed. “I’m an only child, thank God. But the women in this town are always looking for eligible bachelors. I’d be happy to throw you to the wolves.”
“Thanks anyway. But I wouldn’t want to piss off my wife. She knows how to shoot.”
Jack and I both laughed at his deadpan delivery, and I poured coffee into the mugs.
“So how’d it go with the mayor?” I asked Jack. “Do you still have a job?”
“For now,” he answered. “But only because the mayor is conveniently out of town.”
I warmed my hands around the mug and looked at Jack in surprise. “How long has he been gone?”
“Almost a week,” Carver said, taking up the conversation. “He’s at a fundraising convention in Atlanta. We’ve already confirmed with TSA and the hotel.”
“They have conventions for fundraising?” I asked.
“That was my reaction too, but Mr. Civilized here tells me it’s common among politicians to seek help around campaign time. On the taxpayers’ dime, of course.”
“Of course.” My eyes caught Jack’s again, and then dropped to his mouth. It had been hours since he’d kissed me. I was pretty sure Carver was still speaking, but it sounded like water rushing past my ears. And then I remembered I needed to breathe.
“I guess that’s my cue to go,” Carver said, finishing his coffee in one long gulp. “I need to read through all the information from the crime scenes, and get settled at the bed and breakfast.”
“I told you you’re welcome to stay with me,” Jack said. He didn’t take his eyes off me as he made the offer.
I watched Carver look between me and Jack and roll his eyes. “Yeah, that’s going to happen. I’ll catch you crazy kids later.”
“Five o’clock,” Jack said. “I’ll introduce you to the others and we’ll have a briefing.”
