Page 41 of Midnight Secrets

His gaze flicked to the bed directly in front of the TV. The only place to sit in the room, other than the small wooden desk chair, which wasn’t comfortable for more than a couple of minutes.

My face heated.

“Thank you for the offer, but I should probably head to my room. Catch up on a few things before heading to bed.”

“Right.” I nodded once, thankful he’d declined gracefully. Lounging with him on the bed probably wouldn’t have been the best idea for my sanity. He rattled it enough just standing there looking like a snack. A lumbersnack.

I stifled a laugh.

Perhaps I had too much wine.

Or maybe it was just me being awkward around a handsome man.

Or both, my inner voice countered.

I fought not to roll my eyes. Yes. It was both.

“Okay, so, um, can we meet in the lobby at around seven? Bartles and I looked up the cabin on the map. It’s a couple of hours outside of town by ATV. Up in the mountains.”

“That’s fine. We need to stop at his house so I can get clothes from Christina, but that won’t take long. I’ll call her this evening so she’s ready for us.”

“Sounds good.” He turned, heading for the door. “Thank you, Claire. I know this is—unusual, but this whole case is odd.”

“I agree. I’m hoping we find Warren Hammond out there. Alive and just scared.” A shiver went through me as I thought of the alternatives. Ozzie was right to want company on this trip. It could turn dangerous in a heartbeat if Warren wasn’t innocent in Marie’s death.

Nerves skated down my spine. I made a mental note to ask Christina to include a rifle in the things I borrowed.

“Me too.” He grasped the door handle, letting himself out. “I’ll see you in the morning. Thank you, again.”

“You’re welcome.” I moved closer, taking hold of the door’s edge.

He stood in the doorway, staring down at me.

My knees turned to jelly as I looked up. It wasn’t often I had to do that with men. Most were nearly at eye level thanks to my five-ten height.

There was something to be said for feeling smaller. Like he’d protect me.

Not that I needed protection.

But it was nice to know he could.

Inwardly, I rolled my eyes. Definitely too much wine.

“Get some sleep, yeah?” He lifted a hand, his fingers gravitating to the flyaway hair framing my face before they dipped and he lightly skimmed the collar of my robe.

My gaze met his, and something arced between us. A jolt of awareness electrified my limbs and made my skin tingle.

He balled his hand and lowered it, stepping back. “Goodnight, Claire.”

Taking a shaky breath, I clutched the door with both hands. “Goodnight, Ozzie.”

The amused smile twisting his lips was the last thing I saw before he turned away.

I closed the door with a soft snick, then leaned my head against it, groaning quietly. “What was that?”

Pushing away, I turned and moved deeper into the room. My eyes landed on the paper cup and half-empty wine bottle.

With determined strides, I crossed to the nightstand and lifted both, taking them into the bathroom.

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