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All the time.
And their chemistry...
The thought of his bed and him in it sounded tempting.
Charlie stuffed the camera in her duffel, uncertain if she’d mention to Brian what had just happened. He’d only berate her and worry. She could do without a lecture.
Drawing a deep breath, she shut her eyes for a moment. All she saw was Seth. The way Olsen had stared at her, seething. Like he wanted to tear through the glass and metal of the car to get to her.
Charlie’s heart was still pounding.
Shake it off. Don’t let Brian see it.
She hid the camera in her bag and got out. At the door there was a sticky note telling her it was open.
Strange not to ring the bell or knock first without having a key, but Charlie went in and locked the door behind her. Down the hall, the back door to the patio was open. Although the porch light was off, she glimpsed one of the rocking chairs in motion. He must really love it out there.
She set her duffel on one of the stools at the island in the kitchen. On the countertop was a plate of food, steak and veggies, covered with plastic wrap along with another note that read, “In case you’re hungry.”
His thoughtfulness knew no bounds. Had she known he was going to go out of his way to fix dinner, she would have chosen the home-cooked meal over greasy fast food. She put the plate in the fridge and grabbed the bottle of wine. Turning, she opened a cabinet. Dishes. She tried another one. Glasses. She pulled one down and poured a hefty amount of chardonnay.
She strode down the hall and out onto the covered deck.
He tilted his head to the side, catching her gaze. “Join me,” he said, indicating the rocker next to him.
She sat, sipped the cool, crisp wine. Tipping her head back, she stared at the evening sky. An unfamiliar yearning flooded her chest like starlight. For this peacefulness never to end.
For him to kiss her again.
“I was worried,” he said, his voice low, soft. “You didn’t call to let me know you’d be late. You closed USD more than hour ago.”
She stiffened, not accustomed to answering to someone, much less checking in. “Brian, I—”
He took her hand in his, linking their fingers. “I know. Just saying I was concerned. Next time, call, so I don’t have to go looking for you. Okay?” His tone was calm, understanding—impossible to balk at.
Lowering her head, she pulled her hand free into her lap. “I don’t let people close for a reason. It’s not just to protect myself,” she said, “but also the few people I have in my life. I keep Rocco at a distance because I don’t want my world to taint his. You asked me for full disclosure. I’m willing to give it, but you should know beforehand that it’ll compromise you. As a police officer.”
Fixing her with a stare, he stopped rocking. “Compromise how?”
She shook her head, exasperated. She wanted his help, not to ruin his career. Dragging him into this was a mistake. One she didn’t want him to regret.
He put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “Let’s start with you telling me what you learned from Rafe Martinez. We’ll work our way up to the full disclosure part. Baby steps. Yeah?”
Charlie’s stomach flip-flopped. She’d warned him his job could be jeopardized and he was more concerned about her taking baby steps than about protecting himself.
Her style was to rip off the Band-Aid and get it over and done with, but if he wanted to delay the inevitable ugly part, then she’d do it his way.
She sucked in a deep breath. “Rafe told me that he and Haley were only friends. Never anything sexual between them.”
“Do you believe him?”
Another sip of wine. “He’s gay.”
“Oh.” Brian nodded. “But he’s definitely hiding something.”
“Rafe claimed that Seth believed he was having an affair with Haley. Jumped him one night as he was closing the shop. Wore a ski mask and beat him up.”
Brian leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs. “Why didn’t he report it?”
