Page 60 of Through the Fire
Maybe she could think of one thing that was better.
* * *
When everyone was occupied with checking out all of Wes’s gadgets, Kit noticed Theo was standing alone by the wall of windows and made her way over to him. He gave her a sideways look.
“I never really got an answer,” she said quietly, looking out at the snow-covered forest spread out around them, with the miniature town in the distance.
“To what question?”
“I know why Jules showed up, but why did you decide to crash our dog-training party?”
His grimace was so slight she almost missed it. “Jules couldn’t reach you or the boys, so she texted me, asking if I could swing by. After what happened to Elena last week, Jules has been on edge.”
“Okay,” Kit conceded. “Why did Jules and Elena drive out here, if she’d sicced you on me?” Although she kept her tone light, learning that Jules didn’t trust her with her siblings did sting. Kit wasn’t used to not being trusted. She’d been the responsible one for so long, even before wearing a police uniform, and the amount of suspicion almost everyone in town was aiming her way was wearing at her confidence.
One of Theo’s shoulders lifted in a partial shrug. “She worries.”
“More than most sisters, even sister guardians, it seems.” Kit couldn’t help but probe a little.
Theo didn’t even shrug that time. His expression closed down so tightly that Kit knew she wasn’t getting anything out of him about Jules and her family—not that she’d expected to. Theo seemed tight-lipped about everything, so it made sense he wouldn’t blab about his girlfriend’s situation. That didn’t stop Kit’s curiosity, though.
She was about to ask about his feelings regarding Elena when Wes approached, grabbing her attention.
“Would you like to see my vacuum?” he asked, and she eyed him as Theo gave an amused snort.
“Is your vacuum interesting?” Since this was Wes, Kit had a feeling he could make even boring household appliances fascinating.
“Yes. It’s automated, but it doesn’t just bump around blindly like the commercial versions. This one can actually make decisions regarding suction and direction.”
“Then yes.” She moved to stand next to Wes, and he gave her a pleased smile. “I’d love to see your vacuum.”
When Theo gave a choked laugh as they started to walk away, Kit raised an eyebrow at him over her shoulder. Although she kept her expression innocent, she knew perfectly well why he was smirking like a twelve-year-old. For some reason, Wes offering to show her his vacuum sounded like a proposition—although it could just be that her mind focused on sex when she was with Wes. She couldn’t help it; he was irresistibly attractive.
He caught her hand and tangled their fingers together again, and her stomach warmed. Irresistibly attractive and just so very nice.
Chapter 18
Walking into Jules’s house felt completely different from the last time she’d been inside—when they’d been pursuing a possible arsonist. It helped that she had a noisy gaggle of kids and dogs entering with her, as well as a very tense Wes. Once they’d gotten back in cell range, Sam had called Jules to ask if Fifi could stay overnight, rather than having to return to the kennel. Kit had a feeling that Fifi wouldn’t just be staying one night.
In the front entry, Kit waited until the kids had shed their boots and coats and were loudly stampeding toward the kitchen before stepping close to Wes’s side. “Would you rather skip out of this dinner and head to my house? There’s not much food there right now, but I could probably scrounge up something.”
“Yes,” he said quickly, his obvious nervousness easing. “I don’t think that would be polite, though.”
“Probably not.” She pulled a face, hoping to make him laugh. All he managed was a poor attempt at a smile, but she appreciated the effort. “It’s tempting, though, isn’t it?”
His expression grew intent as he studied her, his gaze warm on her face. “Yes. Very tempting.”
Feeling herself flush with heat, she slipped her hand in his and tugged him toward the kitchen, knowing that she’d be tempted to kiss him if they stayed alone in the hallway much longer. “If you need to leave at any time, feel free,” she said seriously, catching his gaze and holding it. “No one will be offended.”
“Thank you.” He was giving her that look again, the one that made her want to tackle him and have her way with him. Resisting temptation, she walked into the kitchen, keeping a tight hold on his hand. She loved that they were together like this, on an official date, especially since this was the first social event with her new partners. There was still a long way to go before they learned to trust her, and vice versa—she knew that—but getting invited to this dinner felt like a giant step in the right direction.
The kitchen was noisy and packed, and Kit felt Wes’s hand tighten around hers as they walked into the chaos.
“Kit and Wes! You came! Welcome!” Jules called from her spot by the stove. Theo was leaning against the counter right next to her, and he gave Kit and Wes a lift of his chin in greeting. Elena, standing on the other side of Kit, gave them a tentative smile before ducking her head.
“Hey, greenie. Glad you could make it.” Hugh sounded sincere, and Grace gave her a friendly wave from her spot next to him at the kitchen table. Justice and Theo’s dog, Viggy, were underneath the table, trading off two well-worn chew toys. Dee hadn’t wasted any time and was busy setting up a board game on the table. Hugh and Grace immediately began tussling for possession of the red game piece.
