Page 56 of Guarded Secrets
She didn’t want to leave the security of Owen’s arms, but forced herself to let him go when Sawyer approached. Jaxon sat in one of the patio chairs, hands cuffed behind him, his head hanging dejectedly to his chest.
After reassuring her mom everything was under control and there was no danger, she retrieved her Uggs from her bedroom. Two deputies were escorting Jaxon away in cuffs when she stepped onto the patio and pulled the glass slider shut behind her.
Sawyer had his arms crossed and a serious look on his handsome face. “Tell us what happened.”
Owen moved behind her, a hand on her shoulder as he stayed close. She recounted what Jaxon had said. “He really thinks his life is in danger.”
“Not liking you being targeted again, Keels. You have any idea who it is your pal Jaxon thinks wants to kill him?”
She shook her head. “He’s not my pal, and I don’t know. Maybe this has something to do with his work. He was always secretive about what he did and who he worked for, so maybe it was something shady? I don’t know how he thinks I could save him.” She frowned. “Though he did say I have something of his he wants back.”
Owen’s hand on her shoulder tightened. “What does he think you have?”
“Maybe the cops can ask him because I have no idea. It’s not like he ever stayed over and left things at my apartment. I would’ve noticed anything of his when I moved.” She paused, considering. “I wonder if he’s delusional.”
“Sacramento PD didn’t get anything when they questioned him?” Owen asked Sawyer.
“They’re trying to figure out the connection between some interesting facts: A woman’s dead. She knew Keeley, and she’d met Romero. As far as they know only that one time, but it’s still a connection.”
“Keeley is the link between the two of them.”
“She is, and neither of us likes that. Romero’s under arrest so he’s not a threat for the time being.”
“Did you notice his face?” Keeley asked. “Someone beat the crap out of him.”
“Yeah, I noticed. I’m heading to the station so I can talk to him.” Sawyer gave a nod as he prepared to leave. “We’ll touch base tomorrow.”
Owen and Keeley gave their statements, photographs were taken of the patio, and when Keeley brought out a broom and dustpan, a deputy took it from her to sweep up the broken bits of pottery. All the while she was aware of Owen frowning, arms crossed over his chest, his gaze locked on her, his blue eyes burning.
She felt like the other cops couldn’t clear out fast enough. She wanted Owen, and that he wanted her as badly made her nervous and ravenous.
A cool breeze picked up and Owen disappeared into the house, returning with a coat to drape over her shoulders. It took some time before all law enforcement was gone and the patio was clear. Moths flew erratically in the glow of the patio light. Keeley absorbed the quiet as a light gust stirred the pines. She let it soothe the anxiety left over from the incident with Jaxon.
Owen took her hand and pulled her into her cottage, locking the sliding door behind them. They stood with their fingers linked together, staring at each other, the air between them charging with energy.
While waiting for the cops to be done, Keeley’d been feeling the weight of exhaustion, but now with Owen’s gaze burning on hers with a heat that threatened to sear her skin, her heart thrummed and anticipation replaced drowsiness.
“I don’t do relationships.” It sounded like the words were forced past his teeth.
She nodded slowly.
“I’m a risk. We do what I want to do tonight and I’ll likely end up hurting you. I’m a bad bet.”
“Are you warning me off, Owen?”
“No. I want you too much for that. But I can’t promise anything. You need to know that.”
“Maybe youareworth the risk.” She stepped closer, bringing up his hand and pressing it between her breasts where her heart beat heavily. She went onto her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’m not asking for promises.”
“You want a husband and family. I can’t give you that.” The pain in his eyes arrowed straight to her heart.
“You’ve been hurt. Badly.”
He tipped his head back, eyes closed, his thumb stroking between her breasts. “I’ve been something.” When he brought his gaze back to hers, she recognized regret. “I care about you, and it would kill me to hurt you. That’s why I want it clear that whatever we do tonight, it’s not the beginning of something more.”
She thought her heart would break for him. “I have these feelings for you, Owen, feelings of need and desire that have no place to go. When I’m with you, when we kiss, those feelings consume me, and they get tangled up in yearnings for more.
“I hear you when you say you can’t give me a future. But you can give me the present. Give me something of you, even if it’s only for tonight.”
