Page 85 of Night Hawk
“Sure.”
“I’ll grab our jackets.” He went to the hallway, where they’d hung their coats on pewter whale tail hooks, wondering what she might tell him as he put his on.
Would she ask him to stop touching her? Tell him to back off? Leave her alone?
He didn’t know how he’d react if she did. Or maybe this was just about the investigation.
He held out her coat, and she shrugged into it. He started to reach for her hair stuck inside the collar, but if she planned to tell him to back off, he didn’t want to compound things. Plus, his mother was watching them, and he didn’t want such a personal touch to get her hopes up.
He opened the door for Toni, and she stepped out. The rain had cleared, and a million stars filled the sky as the rolling ocean waves lapped the shore. The moon shone bright, but soon would give way to the morning sun, and the air temperature was chilly, but otherwise he couldn’t ask for a more romantic setting. When had he gone to wanting romance with her in the middle of a horrific investigation?
She went to the railing and leaned on the weathered wood. He joined her but faced the house to be sure the blinds were all closed and they had the privacy he desired.
He turned to face Toni and rested his elbow on the deck rail, acting casual when his insides were quivering. “What did you want to talk about?”
She looked at him and held his gaze. “I wanted to make sure you knew how thankful I am for your care and concern. For everything you’re doing to help me.”
“I hear abutcoming.”
“Not abut,really. More of aWhat are we doing?I mean, you’ve made no secret of the fact that you’re interested in more than a working relationship with me. Not only telling me, but you’ve held my hand several times tonight.”
Here it comes.“Does that bother you?”
“Bother me? No. But it makes me wonder if we’re confusing support with other feelings. We could be caught up in one of those relationships that can happen when two law enforcement officers work an investigation together. Those relationships often fall apart when they return to the real world.”
“Does this thing between us feel temporary to you?”
“I could be confused, especially with all the stuff going on in my life.”
He came to his full height and turned her to face him. “I know what I’m feeling isn’t comfort. Isn’t temporary.”
“How can you be sure?” She sounded breathless.
“First, because I’m in awe at how amazing you are. Strong. Independent. Someone who stands up to me.”
“I didn’t think you liked that.”
“I don’t really, but I respect the fact that you’re comfortable enough in yourself to stick up for what you believe in.”
“Good to know. I’ll be sure to keep doing that.” She gave him a coy smile.
His heart warmed. “But it’s not just that. When we’re not together, I think about you and want to be with you. When wearetogether, I feel a sense of completeness that I’ve been missing. I’ve had these feelings for you all along. They haven’t faded one bit.
“And right now,” he plunged ahead. “You look so beautiful in the moonlight, and I want to kiss you.”
She let out a soft breath that fanned over his face, but didn’t speak.
He took her silence to mean she was considering the kiss. “Can I?”
She glanced at the house. “Your family.”
“Not even my mom would peek through closed blinds. My dad wouldn’t let her.” He smiled and cupped the side of her cheek, touched by the softness of her skin. “Unless you say no, I’m going to—”
She plunged her hands into his hair and pulled his head down. Their lips met. He was stunned for a moment but quickly circled his arms around her slender waist and drew her tight against his body. He gave in, and surrender had never felt so good.
Toni lost herself in the kiss. In the warmth of Clay’s lips in the cold air. In the feel of his hair, coarse yet soft. His toned body against hers. He was all guy most of the time, and yet, he was tender and kind. Caring and compassionate. And he could be all hers if she wanted.
But did she want? She had no idea, but at least she was considering it now. And until she knew the answer to her questions, should she be kissing him and encouraging him?
