Page 26 of Always Mine

He sighed heavily. “All right, just once. And for the record, this is a bad idea.”

“I understand your feelings. Thanks.”

He grumbled something then stood. “When it gets dark out, I’ll come over and pick you up. Wear black.”

“I’ll be ready.”

* * *

Diego’s temper spiked when he saw Annie standing before him dressed like a cat burglar. He focused on Will. “This isnotokay.”

Will threw up his hands. “I tried to tell her that.”

“I’m right here, guys.”

Both Will and Diego looked at her. Will’s gaze was hard. Diego’s softened as soon as he saw her. Her knees went weak.

“No puedo resistirte.”

Will said, “Obviously you can’t resist her. That’s why she’s here. I’m going home. I’ll be back to help you get ready for bed, then take this one home.”

Annie turned sad eyes on him. “Please don’t be mad at me, Will.”

He sighed. “Is she always like this? Disarming men with just a look?”

“Why do you think I’m in so much trouble with her?”

When Will left, Diego drew her to the bed and down to the mattress to sit. The scent of her bath splash—that she still wore—filled his head. “It’s been crazy. At midnight…” He told her the whole story and ended with, “Which is why you can’t come see me anymore.”

“I had to, one more time.” She glanced at the door. “Does the guard outside come in?”

“No. But the lieutenant investigating this case went to high school with us. I know her.”

“Who?”

“Katie Donovan.”

Her fingers crept over the sheet to touch his. “How long will you have to have protection?”

“Till we find the perpetrator. The cops are working on it. They’ll catch him.”

She shivered.

He raised his hand and cupped her cheek. “Querida. You can’t come back.”

“It’s probably best for us all if I don’t. I’ll stay away from you for a while.”

Gripping her hand, he said, “This isn’t over between us, Annie. I want you back in my life and you must feel the same because you took a break from your boyfriend.”

“Temporarily. To figure things out.”

“Is it him or me that you’re figuring out?”

“Us, I guess.”

“Good. Now, lie down with me for a while. I want to hold you.”

She kicked off her sneakers and slid down next to him on his good side. Her legs were bare and so were his. When they touched, tangled, she felt it all the way to her nerve endings.

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