Page 75 of Lorcan
I shook my head.
Cody frowned.
“You didn’t have to ask. I’m glad you came—even though I didn’t like you seeing me that way.”
“What way?” He slung his messenger bag over his shoulder, then extended his arm.
Without hesitation, I grasped his hand. My lunch bag hung on my other shoulder. “Thank you.”
He blinked. “I see you, Lorcan. I said that before. Not all the nooks and crannies—” He winced. “God, that was my mother’s expression.”
I smiled.
“What I’m trying to say is I don’t see all of it. You have tons of secrets—and you’re entitled to keep some things to yourself—but the essence of you. The good man you are. What I’m saying, though, is that I’m here. For all of it. The good, the bad—”
“The horrendously awful?” I held his gaze.
“Yes. So let’s get out of this unheated underground garage and get upstairs. I vote we order Chinese food.”
“I thought tonight was my turn to cook.”
He eyed me. “If you want to, then I certainly won’t stop you. I thought we could shower while we wait for the delivery.”
I arched an eyebrow.
He laughed. “We’ll set a timer.”
Because every time we got into the shower together, shenanigans occurred.
“I’m not in the mood for…”
Cody tugged me toward the elevator. “I completely understand. So we’ll just wash each other off. I know I was stinky sweating in that place, even in the ten minutes I spent there.”
Following his lead was easy. Although I hadn’t worn my jacket in the interrogation room, I’d sweated through my shirt as well.
In the elevator, I tucked myself against him. “There are things you don’t know.”
“I’m here to listen. If you’re up to sharing. And if you’re not, then we’ll just have Chinese food, watch a hockey game, maybe play with squeaky toys, and then go to bed.”
“Just like that?” The ping sounded when we reached the top floor.
He guided us out. “Or I shower with you and, if you want, take you home. I mean, I really want you with me tonight, but I’d alsounderstand if you need time. The spare room is yours if you need it. Personally, I’d prefer you not be alone tonight. You’ve had a hell of a shock.” He unlocked his door, flipped on the overhead light, and led me inside.
“You know.”
“Yeah. Constable Seth Jacobs told me. He didn’t figure the news would be under wraps for long.”
“This is going to bring scrutiny.” I leaned against the kitchen bar as I undid my boots. “You might not want to be associated with someone under suspicion.”
“Did you fly down to Mexico when I wasn’t looking and kill him?”
My head snapped up so fast to meet his gaze that I almost toppled over. “Uh, no.”
“Did you come into a hoard of cash and hire someone to kill him?”
“No.”
“Well then I don’t see what I have to worry about.” He finished removing his boots and then hung his coat in the closet. He held his hand out for mine—which I handed him. “Colton Pritchard is full of bluster. I know guys like him. Self-righteous.” He blinked. “Oh shit.”
