Page 14 of Burn for Me
Tucking her close to his body, he rested his chin on top of her head. He just needed a moment to calm the desire raging in his bloodstream. He couldn’t remember a time a woman made him feel the way Kitty did. When he felt her fingers slide into the hair at his nape, he knew he was fighting a losing battle.
* * *
Hurt,rage, betrayal all bubbled into an ugly concoction of revenge. Hadn’t they done this all for that ungrateful bitch? And how did she repay them? By rubbing herself all over that fucking fire inspector. What were they to do? What she was doing was unforgivable. There would have to be consequences. They needed to think. Unaware of the tears of hurt and anger that ran down their face, they continued to rock back and forth, contemplating how best to exact revenge.
Chapter Six
Blowing out a breath,Gray swung his office chair around to face the window, his gaze seeking out Table Mountain. Taking the sight in, he let his mind wander. It had been a long time since a case had him so stumped, but this one was proving to be a difficult one.
What had him most irritated, though, was that he recognised the work. He knew he’d encountered it before. He just couldn’t figure out where. Was it one of his own cases, or had it been a case study from his training? If he could only remember, then he’d have a solid direction to follow the evidence.
A knock at his door had him swinging back around. Spotting Kyle standing there, he smiled.
“Don’t just loiter in the doorway, Ace. You’re making the place look untidy.”
Laughing, Kyle stepped into the room while showing Gray the finger.
“How’s it going, old man?”
“I swear running through quicksand would be easier than trying to solve this case. What’s the link I’m missing, Kyle? What is it about this accelerant pattern that is so unusual, yet strangely familiar? I know it’s something that I’ve seen before, I just can’t seem to figure out where.”
“I’m about to go see Matthews. Why don’t you give yourself a break and come with me? Maybe stepping away from it will give you clearer vision. Sometimes we go over the stuff so often we miss what’s hiding in plain sight.”
Nodding, Gray got to his feet. “Yeah, you’re probably right. Let me grab my jacket and we can hit the road.” Shrugging his coat on, he continued, “Want to use my vehicle?”
“Sure, why not?”
Keeping conversation light on the way to the hospital, they talked about inconsequential things, staying away from the topic of the case.
“So, old man, fess up. How’s the dating going?”
Gray glanced at Kyle briefly before returning his eyes back to the road.
“What’s got you so interested in my love life, Ace?”
“Curiosity. You’re normally the love ’em and leave ’em type, but this lady’s been in the picture for longer than any other. I’m curious to know what’s so special about this one.”
Gray took a moment before answering, “I don’t know what it is about her. I just know I’ve never felt the way I do when I’m around her with anyone else. She’s sweet and feisty, and when she looks at you, it feels like she sees you. Really seesyou, you know?”
This time it was Kyle’s turn to be silent for a moment. “Nope, I can’t honestly say I do know, bud.” Gray thought he detected a note of what sounded like longing in the man’s voice.
“I don’t know, Ace. There’s something special about her. I never thought I’d say these words, but for the first time, ever, I want to see where this can go.”
Pulling into the parking lot at the hospital, Gray killed the engine. Neither moved at first, reluctant to get out and face the realities of their job. Finally, Kyle turned to Gray.
“Best of luck, bud. I hope it works out for you.”
Climbing out, Kyle rounded the front of the vehicle and waited for Gray to join him. Making their way through the front doors, they said nothing further as they headed for their colleague’s room with heavy hearts.
* * *
Standing backto get a better look at the overall effect she was creating, Kitty stretched tired muscles. She’d been bent over, icing for what seemed like forever. Hearing a sound behind her, she turned to see Jazz coming into the kitchen.
“So, what do you think?”
“Looking good. You’ve really nailed that intricate piece. Just like I said you would.”
Laughing at Jazz, Kitty replied, “Yes, you did, didn’t you? I hear the ‘I told you so’ in there.”
