Page 11 of Blood & Kisses

I watch the road to ensure the car does not cross the line into the oncoming lane, as he seems to fade in and out of the present.

Just as he turns into Romano Terrace, he grunts and ejaculates all over his sweatpants and my hand. “Fixed it,” I say, satisfied, as he tucks his cock away and he shoots me a sharp look.

“You sure did,” he agrees, pulling up the drive behind Blake’s truck and stalling the engine. “I bet Blake will start hanging out here more than in his garage-top apartment.”

“For the view?” I mock, dishing out a knowing scowl as I grab my bag to head inside, slightly homesick because I’d rather be in my tiny apartment, but I also know here, under the roof of a renowned detective, is the safest place to be at the moment.

“Golden sunshine,” he answers, running those eyes over my hair as the charismatic Blake the thief emerges dimpled cheek, smiling, cocking his raven eyebrows at Cormac as he comes to my door and opens it like a gentleman.

“This is going to be an interesting few weeks,” I mumble as I climb out of the car and hug Blake.

“It sure will be,” Cormac replies as I catch an exchange between the two men, and I suspect I will be in for a ride.

But I can’t get too carried away because I still have a list, and I won’t be happy or satisfied until every name on that list has been crossed out.

6

I can hear them chatting quietly downstairs in the kitchen as I organize my clothes in the closet of my newly assigned bedroom, which has a deck that opens out on the lakeside. I open the glass door and breathe in the cool air, wondering when the gauntlet will fall and hoping it doesn’t.

It’s been almost 12 hours since I shot Coach Lyons, yet it seems like a lifetime away. It's surreal, as if it didn’t happen in the first place.

There’s a gentle tap at my door, and Blake's warm, dimple smile greets me, holding up a key. “Your new car,” he announces.

“Oh? Where is it?” I ask. I don’t remember seeing a car when we arrived.

“We’ll go pick it up now while Cormac is making dinner,” he explains, stepping closer as my legs almost give way under me. A surge of emotions storms my body, weakening my thighs. He notices my stumble, and I turn away from his gaze. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah, I just…um,” I sigh, struggling to find the words. “Everything is catching up with me.”

“Are you starting to regret what you did?” he’s now only a foot away from me, and a large part of me wants to melt in his comforting arms, but instead, I pull myself together. I can’t be a stupid, weak fool when I have a job to do.

“No,” I answer honestly, as his hand brushes back a strand of my hair, and his distinctive scent of cologne and motor grease infiltrates my senses.

“You think I did the wrong thing, don’t you?” I say, encouraging him to be honest with me, not that it’ll make any difference to my plans.

He combs his fingers through that thick head of wavy black hair. “No,” he answers without hesitation. “I’ve seen that photograph, Rae, so what you’re doing is justified.”

I smile and rest my forehead on his shoulder. “Thank you,” I whisper as his warm hands caress my back.

“Is there anything I can say to stop you from moving on to the next guy on your list?” he adds, annoying me, and I move away from him in protest. “Now, now, Rae, I only said that because I don’t want you to get into trouble, nor do I want you to step inadvertently into the viper’s den.”

“I can look after myself,” I reason sharply.

“I know, and that’s why I got you a new car, so you can be independent and do your own thing,” he enlightens me. “But you do have to be careful, and that’s all I’m going to say about that for now because I can tell you’re getting annoyed.”

“Sorry,” I sigh, “and thanks for the car.”

“You might not thank me when you see it,” he turns toward the door and follows him.

I gasp, “Don’t tell me you stole it,” I dish out rudely.

“No, I bought it,” he says proudly. “Did a bit of work on it too.”

I rise onto the tips of my toes and press my lips against his unshaven cheek, drawing a gorgeous grin out of him. “I have to stop at my apartment to pick up some things if I’m going to stay for a while.”

“Sure thing,” he replies.

“Have you heard any more information about…” There’s no need to say it aloud, and he knows what I’m talking about.

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