Page 35 of Into the Shadows

“I am. I do a ton of prep work, like research, recording interviews with family members and friends, and scheduling meetings with other officials in the case. Then, I’ll start putting out episodes. I’m usually a few episodes ahead of the one I last posted. It allows me to rearrange the order of information I put out if something interesting comes up that I want to share, but it also lets the listener feel like they’re investigating the case with me.”

“Huh. That’s pretty smart. I like listening to your voice.”

I huff out a laugh. “Gia calls it my podcaster voice. Obviously, I don’t speak like that regularly.”

“Can I ask you something?” Teddy’s expression grows serious.

“Anything.”

“Are you a virgin?”

My eyes widen while my cheeks flush. That came out of left field. I look at Teddy’s chin, unable to make eye contact. “Yeah… I know it’s lame to be twenty-six and still have never had sex, but I never found anyone I felt a connection with enough to?—”

“You don’t have to explain anything to me, Sparkles,” Teddy interrupts.

“How did you know?”

He gives me a bland look. “If a man my age can’t spot someone without experience, they either don’t care or have no idea what they’re doing. Neither option is acceptable.”

I bite my cheek to keep my smile in check at Teddy’s admonishment. “That’s sort of the reason I still haven’t had sex with someone.”

I’ve been waiting for you.

I clamp my lips together to keep the confession from spewing out. That’s one way to make a man run from you. Show your crazy while you’re naked in bed with him. A blush threatens to take over my face. I can’t believe I’m naked with a man in my bed. Do we have time to have a repeat of last night?

“What are you thinking about?” Teddy’s eyes narrow.

I grin. “Just wondering how much time we have.”

The wolfish grin that spreads across Teddy’s face makes my core flutter. “Not enough for me to properly explore you.” With a quick peck on my lips, he sits up, the blanket sliding down his body. In the bright morning light, I finally get a good look at his muscled body. Tattoos cover his chest and arm. They range from military themes to scenic views. I want to know the meaning of all of them.

Maybe next time, I can trace each one with my tongue.

“Go. Before I make you late for your meeting,” Teddy growls.

I giggle as I race out of bed and into my bathroom. I take a quick shower and come out in my bathrobe to find an outfit.Teddy is in his clothes from last night, looking deliciously rumpled. “I pulled out a new toothbrush for you. It’s on the counter.” I want to ask if he needs anything for his prosthetic, but I’m not sure if that would make things weird. He hasn’t said anything about it, and I don’t want him to think it makes a difference to me.

I noticed the adaptions in his bathroom and the crutches against the wall at his house. I figured he’d been injured at some point, but I had no clue it was to the extent of needing a prosthetic. My curiosity is dying to ask questions, but I won’t. He’ll tell me when he’s ready to talk about it.

A few minutes later, I’m dressed and Teddy is done in the bathroom. We walk downstairs to the sounds of Gia in the kitchen. My cheeks flush before I even make it around the corner.

A teasing smile is on Gia’s face as she leans against the counter, sipping coffee from a white mug. “Good morning.”

“Morning,” I say with fake nonchalance. “Gia, this is Teddy. Teddy, this is my best friend, Gia.”

“Nice to meet you.” He holds his hand out to Gia.

“You, too. Glad to see someone’s finally defiled our girl.”

“Gia!” I gasp.

Teddy’s eyes sparkle with humor as he looks at me. “And looking forward to the next time.” He tilts my chin up with his thumb and forefinger. “I’m going to head home. I’ll see you later.” He holds my gaze for a second before pressing a lingering kiss to my lips. “Nice to meet you, Gia.”

Teddy turns for the front door and is gone soon after. My heart longs to rush out after him and never let him leave, while my brain warns me not to get too attached too quickly.

“I like him. He’ll be good for you.”

I turn to Gia. “What does that mean?”

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