Page 37 of Blind Justice

Omar left her at the door with a quick goodbye, allowing her to find her brother. He’d been exhausted. She’d seen it in his eyes. Guilt assailed her once again at the thought of it. So, when she’d left, she decided to bring Enzo his favorite coffee as a thank you. She placed the coffee carrier on the empty table and spied the light on under the door of the bathroom. Duncan had informed her before leaving that he might not be there by the time she came back. She didn’t hesitate to join the only other person in the apartment, Enzo, for a quick romp in the shower.

Bella didn’t knock. She opened the door on the bathroom and came face to face with a half-naked Duncan. His hair was mussed from drying it with his towel while droplets of water cascaded down his chest into the towel surrounding his waist. She gasped, caught red-handed drooling over him. Surprise warred with shock and arousal. He was handsome—built like a warrior. She doubted there was an ounce of fat on him. However, what caught her attention the most was the tattoo along his ribs. It was an Irish flag and something written in a foreign language. He cleared his throat, and her gaze shot back to his. There wasn’t a hint of malice in his blue eyes, but curiosity gleamed there.

“And now the other one,” he muttered.

“What?” she answered, unsure if he was talking to her to begin with.

“Nothing. So, can I help you?” He placed the razor he had in his hand on the sink and then grabbed his deodorant. “Or, do you just want to gawk at me?”

“Sorry?”

“No problem, now if you’ll excuse me.” He eased by her.

“Wait!” Electricity zipped up her arm where she touched him.

Duncan sighed. “Yeah?”

“You don’t seem like the tattoo kind of guy. What does this one mean?” Bella pointed to his side.

He smirked. “You want to know what this tattoo means?”

She nodded.

“What will you give me in return, Bella?” He hooked his thumbs in the front of his towel, drawing her gaze. “No, no. Eyes up here.”

She lifted her chin to stare at him. “What do you mean?”

“What will you give me?” He leaned against the sink. The sexual tension between them thickened the air.

“I don’t know. What do you want?”

He moved then, backing her up against the closed door. “Timid little rabbits don’t get to ask questions unless they’re willing to reciprocate.”

She whimpered. The clean scent of soap and shaving cream enveloped her. He was too close. She knew her brother had the hots for the agent, but her too? No. It was madness. Pure and simple. The grief was overriding her rationale. “I was just curious is all.”

He tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. “Curiosity ate the kitten.” His minty fresh breath wafted over her.

“Don’t you mean killed the cat?” She stared up at him, her heart pounding a wild beat.

“No.” He leaned in. “I meant devour. Ate. Curiosity made the kitten scream his name, and when he was done, the little kitten said thank you.”

Her breath hitched. She tingled from head to toe. His lips were inches from hers, and when he drew closer, she met him, yearning for the briefest touch of his mouth. Instead, he opened the door and stepped out. Bella stared after him as he sauntered over to the closet.What just happened? Why do I feel so unhinged? Where the heck is Enzo?Her gaze lingered on Duncan’s back before she exited the bathroom.

“Bella?” Enzo stared at her from the bed, a little too wide-eyed for her liking.

“There you are.” She crossed to him, sitting beside him.

“I called your name three times before you went into the bathroom.”

She frowned. Had he? “Sorry. I already apologized to Duncan.”

“I’ll just tack it onto your bill when this is over.” Duncan glanced over his shoulder. “Oh, by the way, I figured since you two have been cooped up in here for a while, you might enjoy a little excursion. Be ready to go at eight. Enzo, I have a pair of jeans for you to wear, and Bella, I have something equally as tasteful. Wear only what I put out for you and nothing else.”

Bella glanced at Enzo. “Perdón?”

“I’ve left the items on your side of the closet. They have your names on the garment bags.”

Enzo shook his head. “No se.”

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