Page 14 of Hannah's Truth

The older woman looked back and forth between them and shook her head. “Please be careful. I’m sure he was worried about something.”

“We will,” Hannah answered in unison with Bart.

“Guess I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow,” he added, stretching an arm back across the booth behind Hannah.

“Good.” Maria slid out of the booth, clearing the dishes as she went.

“I could take care of that,” Hannah said.

Maria just smiled. “It’s a habit. Besides I think you two have much to discuss.”

When she was out of earshot, Bart moved quickly to the other side of the booth. “What’s that mean?”

“Good question,” Hannah said, not quite meeting his gaze. “You know her better than I do.”

Bart made a noise that didn’t manage to confirm or deny her assessment. “So.” He rubbed his big palms together. “You look less weary after the food.”

“Careful, compliments like that will go straight to my head.”

“My mind isn’t really on compliments right now.”

“I’m sorry for your loss.” She sighed. “I’m sorry about all of it. You talked with Eva?”

He nodded. “Not that anyone’s asked about it. Us. Whatever.” He sounded even more put-out than she’d anticipated.

“They will ask. And sooner rather than later, I’m sure.”

“I suppose you want me to make an announcement or something.”

“Not really. We’ve gone this long,” she said for the benefit of anyone who might be listening. He raised a brow and she knew he understood. “I only told my boss because he would have sent me away without letting me see you,” she added. “I know we haven’t worked out the details. You can tell your team when you’re ready.”

“Don’t hold your breath,” he muttered sliding out of the booth. “We’ve got bigger problems than gossip at the moment.” He extended a hand. “Shall we take a look around?”

She put her hand in his and let him draw her to her feet. But he didn’t let go, just used the leverage to pull her close to his chest. He’d blushed over Maria’s comments about security, but she felt her face flame with an aching desire to kiss him.

One and done might have been the logical choice for them six weeks ago, but her body didn’t want to hear logical arguments right now.

His dark brown eyes dropped to her mouth, his gaze every bit as effective as a touch. She licked her lips, anticipating, remembering the searing kisses they’d shared. The kisses whichhad led to the hottest night of her life. She wanted to experience one of those kisses now.

He shifted, to move closer or away, she wasn’t sure, but her fingers gripped his hand, making it clear which direction she preferred.

He’d had such a challenging day and it wasn’t yet noon. Nothing she had to tell him about the case would change anything. Nothing she could say could improve it or make this easier, yet she wanted to find some way to soothe him. To show him they were in this together—wherever the case led.

Before she realized her intent, she found her hand skimming the hard ridge of his shoulder and slowly easing up to the nape of his neck. Gently, she drew him closer, until his breath mingled with hers in a warm, subtle prelude to the heat she craved.

The first contact was a chaste, feather light excuse for a kiss that satisfied nothing. She feared Eva’s call about her lie had ruined everything between them. Not that there had been much left to ruin. They’d been avoiding each other since that awkward morning after. She was reminding herself there wasn’tsupposedto be anything between them when his arm banded around her waist and he pulled her firmly against his body.

His mouth crushed hers and she gasped, welcoming the hot, unwavering invasion of his tongue sweeping across hers.

She fisted her hands in the soft knit of his t-shirt, all too happy to let the kiss play out, to share the wealth of feelings she couldn’t quite put into words. His hot, firm lips pressed and teased and she responded, relishing the building heat and the sweet connection.

“Would you look at that,” an irritable male voice said.

“Had to see it to believe it,” another man responded. “Looks like you owe me twenty bucks. Guess we have to call her Special Agent Thalberg-Bartholomew.”

“It’s a mouthful,” the first man agreed.

Hannah tried to leap away as the moment shattered, but Bart’s big hands on her hips held her in place. She peeked around his shoulder, recognizing two agents from the local DEA office.

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