Page 113 of Deep Tide

Her eyes looked guarded. “I’m not sure.”

“Can I see you after?”

She glanced away, and Sean held his breath as he waited for her response. He didn’t know what he’d do if she said no.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Leyla.” He rested his hands on her waist and waited for her to look at him again. Finally, she did.

“It’ll make things harder, don’t you think?”

It would. She was right. And Sean wanted to respect her space. This was how she protected herself. She’d told him she didn’t date tourists, and he knew this was why. They left. They took what they wanted, and then they were gone. Sean didn’t want to do that, but that was exactly what he was doing.

Except he wasn’t.

He hadn’t gotten nearly what he wanted here. Not even close. No way was she reducing this thing between them to a sticky note.

“I want to see you again.”

“Sean—”

He kissed her to keep her from arguing. He pulled her in tight and kissed the hell out of her. It had worked for him before, and it was working now. He could feel it in the loosening of her body, and the pressure of her fingers in his hair, and the play of her tongue. She tasted so fucking good, and he didn’t want to let her go.

Lights swept over them, and she jerked back. A black SUV swung into the Take-Out Only spot.

“Rogelio.”

Sean looked at her. So, she wasn’t completely alone opening her shop this morning. He should feel relieved, but instead he felt a pang of jealousy.

She pulled back and gazed up at him. He could see her brain working, weighing whether to see him again or cut him off now. Meanwhile, Rogelio was just a few feet away, dragging trays out of his car.

“I’ll call you later,” Sean said before she could tell him no. “We’ll make a plan.”

“It might be late when I’m finished.”

“That’s fine.”

“Are you sure? You’ll probably—”

“I’m sure.” He kissed her forehead. “I’ll call you.”

•••

Nicole entered the immaculate garage and scanned the car bays. No sign of a silver Kia.

“Hey, you’re early.”

She spun around to see Miranda walking over. Last time Nicole had seen her, she’d been wearing a gorgeous silk wedding gown. Now she wore white coveralls and yellow safety goggles. She slid the goggles onto her forehead.

“I made good time, so I hit the drive-through.” Nicole held out one of the two cups she was holding. “Double-shot caramel latte.”

“Thanks! That’s so sweet.” Miranda took the cup. “I’ve already got some herbal tea going, but I’m sure Ryan will love this. Come on in.”

Nicole paused at a shelf beside the door to pull paper covers over her shoes. The county crime lab’s garage was clean enough for someone to eat off the floor, and the CSIs who worked in here were vigilant about keeping people from tracking in dirt.

Nicole followed Miranda to a workstation, where she set the latte beside a keyboard.

“So, how was the honeymoon?” Nicole asked. “I’ve always wanted to go to Costa Rica.”

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