Page 22 of Wicked Truths
His hand drifts through the hot sand until the end of his fingertips touch mine.
Nerve endings tingle everywhere on my body, my skin heats rapidly.
He does this to me.
Makes my legs weak and the hair on my neck stand on end.
It started with watching him in class. It took away my thoughts from the car crash. That is my life. But I should never have agreed to meet him.
I don’t know if he is an addiction or an obsession to me, whether he is a need or a want. But I know I can’t have him.Not only because he is forbidden as my professor, but also because Dominic will kill him if he finds out.
“I think someone has pictures of us together.”
He releases a shaky breath. “What makes you think that?”
“Someone contacted me on Pampered Princess, I thought...” I sigh as he stares at Cole surfing on a high wave.
Cole looks at us. He thinks I can’t see because of his wrap-around sunglasses, but the tilt of his head in my direction is the telltale signal.
I give him a wave and pretend everything is normal. Acting nonchalant as I turn and smile, and say, “I’m being blackmailed. Someone has pictures of me with Mr. Anderson. He’s…”
“The mayor?”
I swallow. “I know, but the person claims they have so much more, and Dom will be very interested in them.”
He slides his hand over the sand until it covers mine. The heat of it sends a shiver down my spine. “Do you want me to get my brother to look into who it is?”
“Your brother?”
“Detective Miles. He heads the crime investigation team at Robina.”
SweetJustice?
Could Detective Miles be SweetJustice?
The motive fits. Is he blackmailing me for information about Dom’s operation? It would be the career-making case for any detective to take down Dominic de Luca.
“Not yet.” I dig my toes into the warm sand, watching a seagull dive for someone’s abandoned hot chips. “I’d prefer fewer people knew about me until it gets dangerous.”
His fingers tighten over mine but remain under the sand. “Is that why you stopped seeing me?”
The ocean breeze carries the salt spray to my face, mixing with the coconut scent of my sunscreen. I want to lean into him, feel his warmth against my skin like before. But I can’t.
“If Dom finds out...” My voice cracks. The image of Dom’s rage, of what he might do to Caleb, makes my stomach twist. Dom may act kind, but I’ve seen what happens to people who cross him.
Caleb shifts closer, his thigh barely touching mine. “He won’t.”
“You don’t know him like I do.” I pull my hand away, wrapping my arms around my knees. “He’d hurt you, Caleb. And I couldn’t...” The words stick in my throat.
“I know Dom.” He sighs. “Are you going to the dance school tomorrow?” His voice is low and husky. The same tone that used to make me melt in his arms. Before I told him it had to stop.
I nod.
“I’ll pick you up in the morning,” he says as Poppy dashes across the beach toward us.
“Okay.”
“Come on Amara.” Poppy glances between me and her father. “Are you okay? Even Milly is telling everyone you’re acting strange.”
