Page 86 of Night Hawk
Breathless, she leaned back, suddenly feeling shy. This wasn’t her first kiss by any means, but she hadn’t dated much and had never felt this deeply about any other guy.
“That was wonderful.” His smile was intimate and dazzling at the same time.
Her heart tumbled, rolling over and over, falling, and she had to rest her hands on his shoulders not to cup the back of his head and initiate another kiss.
“I feel like I might’ve misled you,” she said. “I’m not ready for anything more.”
“I know.” His smile remained. “But was it great for you too?”
“Yes,” she admitted, but at his joyful expression, she extricated herself from his hold and took a few steps back before her determination melted. “I don’t want to do that again until I’m sure of my feelings.”
“Don’t want to or won’t?”
“Won’t.” She had to shove her hands into her pockets to keep from touching him. “It’s not fair to you.”
He looked at her long and hard. “And if I say it’s fair?”
“You can’t though, can you? And be truthful.”
His smile evaporated. “No.”
“So let’s agree to keep things professional until the investigation is over, and then we can revisit this.”
He started to reach out for her but let his arms drop. “Obviously it’s not what I want to hear, but sure. I can do professional. At least I hope I can. If I mess up, tell me.”
“Thank you. Your positive response just confirms what a great guy you are.” She smiled at him.
“I’m disappointed, but you didn’t completely shut me down, so I have hope.” He gestured at the door. “We should get back to work before the way you look in the moonlight destroys my resolve.”
She’d gotten what she wanted—time to figure things out. So then why did she drag her feet as she headed back inside?
Clay took her coat to the hooks, and she watched him as she took a seat. When he started in her direction, she jerked her focus to her computer, but as he sat next to her, all she could think about were those hands on her. That body next to hers. Those lips kissing hers.
She touched her lips and felt the warmth. Could almost feel him kissing her again.
Frustrated, she got up and almost ran to the kitchen to get a glass of water. She drained it in seconds.
Drake joined her to refill his glass. “Having a hard time, huh?”
“What?” Did he know what had transpired between her and Clay? Could he? Did she look like she’d just been kissed?
“Your feelings for Clay,” he said, his tone low as if he wanted to keep this between them, for which she was grateful.
She should’ve known the family would notice the tension when she came back inside with Clay.
The heat of a blush crept up her face. “We’re just two professionals working together.”
“You may be, but Clay’s been obvious about his feelings for you from day one.” Drake shoved his glass under the refrigerator dispenser and ice clinked down into his glass.
She glanced at Clay to find him watching her and Drake. He didn’t look away when she caught his eye.
“He’s a terrific guy,” Drake said. “One of the best. I might razz him a lot, but he’s great. All my brothers are. Mom and Dad made sure of that.” He gave her a playful smile and put his glass under the water dispenser. “Oh, and God might’ve had something to do with it too.”
She smiled at Drake and realized how much she’d missed in life by being an only child. No, not an only. Just an only for the first thirty years.
“Uh-oh.” Drake pulled his glass free. “What did I say to put that look on your face?”
She’d thought his big family would overwhelm her, but they were so open and caring, and she was starting to feel a part of the family. “I was thinking about how great it was to have siblings.”
