Page 34 of Save Me

“That’s true,” I murmur, and then stiffen again. My big fucking mouth. I clear my throat. “That could be the case,” I amend.

“Right. So, if his employee chose to take her life in his place of business, it leads me to believe that something very wrong was going on at that workplace. And therefore, in Blackmon’s company.”

Those are all reasonable conclusions. I hear the determination in her voice as she speaks. I’ve heard it since that first night at the Black Opal when she showed up to ask about Blackmon. Kennedy can’t let things go when she has a hunch.

She’ll see this through until the end.

“Does that answer your question?” she asks after a few beats of silence.

“I suppose it does.”

She nods and turns toward the new target, which is now hanging down range. “I think it’s your turn. Do you need some help figuring it out?” She smiles sweetly.

My gaze drops to her lips, and I want to devour them. I want to see them swollen from my kisses. The thought alone nearly brings a growl out, but I stifle it.

“Careful, that’s loaded,” she says with a grin as I pick up the gun.

I dispense the clip to see it’s filled. “So it is.” I place the clip back.

“I’ll give you some room.” She starts to move away from the booth, but I wrap my free arm around her waist.

I aim the gun at the target while keeping my eyes on her. She startles when the firing gun sounds go off once, twice, three, four, five times.

I stop shooting and place the gun down, pointing down range just as the safety protocols require.

Kennedy looks at the target, and I see her eyes widen from her profile. “You said this was your first time at a gun range?”

I slowly turn to look at the target. One massive hole dead center. All five bullets passed through the same spot.

“First time at a gun range. Most definitely not my first time with a gun in my hand.”

She blinks and stares for a beat. “The military,” she says as recognition dawns in her beautiful eyes.

I nod, confirming her guess. Again, my eyes drop to her lips, and I can’t bear the separation any longer. My head drops before I give my body permission, and I brush my lips against hers. The first feel of her lips sends a torrent of emotion crashing through me.

But what’s even better is the small moan that Kennedy releases. She doesn’t pull back, doesn’t stiffen. She tilts her head up, granting me better access to her mouth. I devour it.

Everything inside of me wants to rush, but I don’t. I’ve waited years for this, and I’ll be damned if I don’t savor it. I relish every part of this kiss, allowing my lips and tongue to taste her in full. Her tiny purrs make me hungrier for her.

It takes all of my strength to pull back. Both of us are breathing heavily as I slide my hand to her hip, pulling her against me. I dip my head so that my mouth is next to her ear.

“The only reason I won’t let this go any further, for now, is because this room has cameras. And I refuse to let anyone see what you look like when you come for me, Kennedy.”

I place a kiss beneath her ear, causing an entire body shudder to rush through her.

“Our next date is mine to choose,” I say.

She rubs her lips together. “This wasn’t a date.” It comes out in a whisper, strained as if she doesn’t fully believe her words.

“Date or not, your time is mine, Kennedy.” I brush my lips against hers again because they’re so close, I can’t not touch her.

“Now,” I say, putting space between us so I can keep my word about not giving a show to whoever sits behind those cameras, “let’s finish our shooting practice.”

CHAPTER 11

Dae

“I’m not getting in unless you tell me where we’re going,” my little warrior insists, arms folded, as I stand with the passenger door of my car.

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