Page 31 of Breathe Me In

Headlights filled the window, and I quickly moved over and hid myself behind the window frame. I peeked through the edge of the curtain. What if our stalker followed us here and was watching the house? “Who do you think it was tonight in the truck?” I knew my voice was shaky. My usual nervousness had heightened since I’d come back to Sheffield. This was where I’d witnessed such horror all those years ago. Maybe my fears of him watching me were true and he wanted me back here.

“Don’t worry, whoever it was just wanted our attention.” Brad’s voice was calm as he looked me over. “If he wanted us dead, we’d be dead, so I don’t think he’ll bother us tonight.”

“But I couldn’t go home?”

“Wasn’t worth the risk.”

“But we came here, so now you’re at risk.”

“It’s fine.” He moved across the room until he, too, was standing next to the window.

I took a deep breath. “Are we fine though?”

“That’s a loaded question.” He smiled.

I ignored him and looked away. That constant fear was always just below the surface. It was why I had come to realize I needed to be here. I wanted those files the captain offered. I think I knew, deep down, I had to find out who he was. Maybe this new role as a consultant would give me the opportunity to find more clues. I needed answers no matter how hard I had to fight against my fear. I licked my dry lips.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yeah, I am.” I ran both hands through my hair and tried to rein myself back in. “Tonight just stirred something up inside me.”

He muttered something I couldn’t hear.

“Look, I’m sorry. I’ll get my head back in the game and focus on this.” I went to move close to the couch, but he grabbed my arm and turned me to face him.

“Come here.” He pulled me into a hug at first.

I stiffened from the contact but then soon relaxed. He was wonderfully warm, and I felt so safe with his strong arms around me. I found myself nuzzling against his chest to seek all the comfort it brought me. I never once felt like that with Dale. Being in Brad’s arms reminded me of how much I’d missed him, and I had a burning urge to press myself against him so badly.

“I don’t know what’s going through your head, but whatever it is, it looks exhausting,” he said.

“It is.” I moaned and let my guard down for a moment.

He pulled back slightly, and I hoped he wouldn’t see what I felt. His chin brushed my jaw, then his lips hovered over mine the way they had earlier. My gaze jumped from his eyes to his lips again, and I was sucked into his vortex just as I always was since we met years ago. “Brad.”

“What is it with you?” he said, more to himself than to me. “It’s like witchcraft, the way I’m pulled to you.” Yeah, ditto. It could be just untamed lust from those younger days. Maybe if we’d slept together before he’d married Sherry, that pull wouldn’t be so strong. But in that moment I didn’t care. Brad brought a hunger out in me like no man ever had. My body ached for him, and the way his hand flexed on my lower back told me he felt it too.

His thumb brushed over my bottom lip, and I closed my eyes to savor our moment of weakness.

“I just want a little taste,” he whispered, and the heat from his breath made my heart pound harder. “Just a taste.”

The moment his lips connected with mine, something wild and unhinged ignited between us. His hands were in my hair as he deepened the kiss with his tongue. He kissed just like I imagined, strong and dominating. I molded my body to his need, to feel him against me. His arm hooked under my bottom and lifted me into the air. I wrapped my legs around his waist as my back hit the wall. One hand slid up my shirt and cupped my breast through my bra. His erection rubbed all the right places, and I wanted to cry with how much I wanted him. My body hummed, and my legs squeezed to draw him in closer. I wanted this so badly. Suddenly, he ripped his lips from mine and buried his face in my neck. His chest heaved with mine as we both let what just happened sink in.

“Christ,” he huffed, still holding me in place against the wall. “I just lost control with you.”

I wasn’t complaining, but one of us had to point out the obvious. “But we work together, so . . .”

“Right.” He thumbed my nipple through the lace, and my body pulsed with need. “We work together.”

“Yes,” I shamelessly panted in agreement.

“Don’t do that,” he growled. “I’ll be inside you so quick if you keep making sounds like that.” I closed my eyes and cried internally at the idea as he slowly lowered me to the floor. My knees were shaky as I stood there. “Take my bed—I’ll take the couch.”

“No, please let me take the couch.”

“Bree.” His voice told me not to push him. “Come on.” He led me down the hallway and into his room. He brushed a hand down my cheek, and I fought to not melt into his touch. “Good night.”

“Night.” I slowly closed the door on him and sank into the cool wood bench. What the hell was that? You can’t let this happen, Bree. You love your job in New York.