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“Not exactly. I was mulling over what comes after we turn in the evidence.” She pulled off her gloves and rubbed her palms together, warming them. Giving the ring a twist to straighten it, she spotted her scar, rekindling the memory of Dale’s touch. She shifted in the seat, stuffing her hands under her thighs and out of sight.
“We can arrange a protective detail for you if Lester makes bail.”
That wasn’t a comforting thought. “Would that detail involve you?” She wanted to smack her head against the dashboard. A deaf man could have heard the obvious hope in her voice.
“Not me. I’ll probably get moved to a different office if Bingham is in as deep as I think he is.”
“You’ll probably get a promotion based on what you’ve told me about Lester.”
He either didn’t agree with her or didn’t want to discuss it, because he pulled into a hotel parking garage without another word. “This isn’t the right lot,” she said, suddenly on edge.
“That lot is being watched,” he replied, his eyes on the street.
“Any chance the watchers are on our side?”
He faced her, his dark eyebrows arching up. “You know the answer to that.”
She did. It wasn’t comforting to realize they were still out here on their own. “What now?”
“We have to get back up to our room and solidify our cover story.”
As an engaged couple who’d spent the evening with room service and each other. She thought of the champagne and strawberries they’d left in the mini fridge. Her mouth watered and her pulse skipped, wishing it could be real.
“Let’s give them something else to think about.” He held out his hand. “You have the phone.”
She fished out the burner phone from her pocket and returned it to him. It still amazed her that he had stuff like that stashed in his storage unit. She had to cover her mouth, smothering laughter as he called in and reported a suspicious package near the elevator of the hotel next to the one where they were booked.
As police cars descended on the area, they crept around the block and entered their hotel from the beach access.
By the time they’d safely reached the room, Heather felt like she’d been running for miles. She flopped into the nearest chair, giving her rubbery knees a break, and stared at Dale, who looked as composed as always. “How do you do that day in and day out?”
“Most days I ride a desk.”
“Uh-huh.” She watched as he carefully removed his field jacket, double-checking the safety on his weapon. “With a hefty side of gator wrangling.”
“What?”
“Whoops.” She started to giggle. “Overtired civilian here.” She forced herself to take a breath. Then one more when the giggles threatened again. “I didn’t mean to say that out loud.”
He seemed completely oblivious as he secured the room with the deadbolt, u-lock, and a chair tilted to block the handle for good measure.
Would he be as thorough in bed? She studied his face, praying she hadn’t said that aloud too.
His lack of reaction restored her composure, until he sat down and started to remove his boots. She followed suit, if only to force her gaze away from him. They would spend tonight just like last night. Asleep in separate areas. As it should be.
She was a grown woman on a mission to right a wrong and avenge a good friend. She could outlast a case of lust. Or not, she thought, looking up to find him watching her. His hazel eyes were full of heat and her body responded instantly.
It was kindness, she amended. Not heat. Men—real men—didn’t look at her that way. That kiss in the woods was an anomaly. Some misguided attempt at comfort or distraction. It was effective, if she was still thinking about it, but hadn’t she learned Dale was a superb actor?
She had to do something before she embarrassed them both and jumped him. What she felt stemmed from a manufactured reality, she scolded herself. He’d defended her, comforted her, and above all, believed and supported her.
It was a heady sensation.
“Why are you staring at me that way?”
With a quick mental shake, she pulled herself together. “What way is that?”
“I’m not sure how to define it.”
