Page 116 of Fierce-Colson

“Do I need to say anything?” she asked. “To, you know, get my point across that my private life is just that—private?”

“No. He was good about it. He said it was a courtesy conversation. That people were watching. The narco case and all.”

She kept her smile in place, but it was forced.

For once he saw that.

His thumb went up to trace the side of her mouth to get her to drop it.

She did easily.

“There is always going to be a case,” she argued. “That’s loose on their end.”

“I know. It didn’t bother me. Not really.”

“But some?”

“A touch more than it should. They brought up my father.”

She blew out a breath. “That’s low.”

“And now you’re getting worked up and it’s the last thing I wanted. I shouldn’t have said anything.”

“Yes, you should have. This is about us. Our relationship. Not work.”

“It’s not always easy to separate the two.”

“Yes, it is. And we are doing a great job of it. Just remember that. That case, it has nothing to do with you. It’s strong and it’s going to fall on the police to get me what they need to make things stick. Once I’ve got it, then we’ll move forward. Until then, as I said, other cases.”

“Got it. And I know. Maybe I just needed the reminder.”

She put her lips on his again. “That’s what I’m here for. That reminder. And you coming here, it tells me things I’ve known all along and sometimes it’s nice to see it.”

“Like what?” he asked, his eyes searching hers.

“Like now isn’t the time for this conversation, but know that we will have it.”

“Dinner?” he asked. “Bella is going to some play at the school tonight.”

“Then why don’t you come to my place for dinner before you have to pick her up.”

He kissed her one more time, stood, then pulled her into his arms for a hug.

Because, as much as he didn’t want to sound like a wuss that he needed it, he really did.

28

CARRY THOSE DOUBTS

She wasn’t used to rushing around at night to make dinner. And not to entertain.

Though entertaining was the last thing that it felt like with Colson.

Everything they had was just so much easier than she ever expected it to be.

The water was boiling, the shrimp were cleaned and ready to go in the pan when she dropped in the pasta.

White wine was opened and a glass was filled for her because she damn well needed it for this conversation.