Page 21 of In Death, Love Survives
The way his eyes are peering directly at me should be disturbing, but it isn’t. I know I should look away, but I just can’t. It’s like my feet are boxed within this cement walkway, unable to move forward while I’m in Wolfe’s trance.
It’s all in my head, but I can’t seem to keep going like I should.
Wolfe runs a hand through his hair, and I track it as it goes through his locks. The way his dark-brown hair is slightly lightened from the sun makes me wonder what exactly he has been up to before being sentenced to a term at Roper State.
His easy demeanor in his worn-looking uniform has me feeling even more unsettled. He may not have committed these crimes, but there is no doubt in my mind that Wolfe Walker is as dangerous as they say he is.
If only he would give me a chance and let me in.
I’m convinced there is so much to uncover about what makes up this beautiful man.
Oh no.
I wince, breaking the trance he had me under.
It’s even more alarming that that’s what I think of Wolfe. I can’t be referring to him as beautiful, no matter the case.
Maybe something is wrong with me, vying for the attention of an unknown man who is completely off-limits in every way possible. This man has done the impossible and made me feel something in this moment.
As I finally meet his gaze again, I notice something akin to jealousy. Wolfe’s eyes flicker to my side, and a hint of anger flashes inside them.
“Ready?”
I finally peel my eyes away from Wolfe and see that Ryan is here. I hadn’t noticed him leaving June in the parking lot and coming over.
“Ready,” I answer with a tight smile.
He places his hand on my lower back and starts to guide me toward the parking lot. As we slowly walk that way, he begins talking about a prisoner fight that broke out earlier today.
I had heard about it, but there was too much going on to ask any questions. Instead, I had stayed sequestered in my office, working on cases.
Suddenly, I shiver from the sensation that someone is staring my way again. It’s as if Wolfe is focused on me, but I don’t know that for sure this time.
“Cold?” Ryan asks.
“Yes. I have a sweater in my car, though, so I should be fine,” I lie.
I do have a sweater, but I’m not cold. Instead, I have to come to terms with the fact that one of the prisoners has just made me feel alive for the first time in years.
I know I shouldn’t, but I need to look back to see if I’m right.
Slowly, I turn around while still walking to my car.
Wolfe’s and my eyes connect automatically as I do.
The rush of being in Wolfe’s line of sight hits me all over again. He’s not only watching me walk away but is intensely observing the dynamic of Ryan next to me as well.
The way his fists are clenched makes me realize that Wolfe must be feeling something different between us too.
I step to the side and out of Ryan’s touch.
Ryan barely notices as he keeps chatting about the fight as we close the distance to our cars.
As I continue to hold onto Wolfe’s gaze, the tension that was there a few moments ago disappears, and I realize that I long to keep this calmness in Wolfe more than I should.
“What didyou think about the new patients?” he asks.
“Should we be talking about them out here?” I counter.
