Page 41 of Speak No Evil

He tossed the cold pack back into the freezer and walked over.

She rubbed her palm over the soft microfiber fabric of the couch. “I’m glad we didn’t try to drive back to Westchester tonight.”

“As you pointed out, I needed to ice my jaw.”

She laughed. “Hope it helped, but you can’t have used it more than five minutes.”

“That’s all it’s getting.” He set his glass on the coffee table and stretched his arms along the back cushion. “Tomorrow is Sunday. You can sleep in with no worries.”

“You mentioned a flag football game tomorrow in the park.” She took a sip, letting it work its magic to loosen her muscles. The exhaustive aftermath of the adrenaline rush faded. His body so close to hers energized her, every cell in her body swiveling like a satellite disk homing in on a signal.

“The game isn’t required attendance.”

Playing along, she teased, “You have other plans?”

“Depends on you.” His deep voice seemed to wrap around her, banishing the city lights outside to another planet. She shifted closer to him and traced a design on his thigh, her gaze never leaving his.

He was giving her that look, the one that awoke the little flutter inside. “I’m flattered you’re planning your weekend around me. What’s left of it.”

He took her hand. “Earlier you said I was a good influence on you.”

The delicious heat of his body soaked into her. “I’ve definitely got my confidence back.”

“I’d like to influence you in a different way.” He cupped the back of her neck and bent close, hesitating a breath away.

“Is that so?” she teased, and her lingering exhaustion vanished into thin air. He kissed her neck, working up to her ear which he nibbled, and then across her cheek.

“Are you going to give me a real kiss?”

He pulled her into his lap. She straddled his legs and smiled. “You’re just pretending.”

“No. Doing it right.” He cupped her face and kissed her. She slipped her hands over his shoulders and down his strong arms. “I need a little more convincing.”

“Is that so?” He repeated her question in mock surprise. His hands found her hips. When he settled his mouth over hers, she opened to him, and he dove deeper, stretching the kiss out so long she gasped for breath when he raised his head.

But not too far. His warm, wine-tinged breath caressed her mouth, and shivers coursed through her all over again. “Is that better?”

She caught her hands behind his neck, the tickle of his dark hair broadcasting waves of wildfire down her arms, over her shoulders and down through her core. This man really did it to her, but she wanted so much more.

His fingers found her buttons. Seconds later, cool air on her bare skin sent goosebumps skittering over her skin. He planted kisses over her shoulders, and she leaned into him.

His hands moved up over her ribs, slowly, slowly, making her breasts tingle in anticipation. He whispered in her ear, the brush of his beard making her insides shivery. “Do you want what I do tonight?”

“I think so.” She did. Being here with Will felt right.

“You sure? You’ve had a rough day.” He lifted his sexy, dark brows.

“A day in the life, huh? And what a day.” But she’d survived, and she needed to feel that in every fiber of her body.

If this led to complications, so be it. Tomorrow could take care of itself. She let her blouse slip down her arms to emphasize the point. “Yes, I’m sure.”

He scooped her up and carried her down the hall, stopping once to kiss her deeply.

13

A MONTH LATER

“Oh, no. Is that what I think it is?” Gwen peered through the blurry windshield. A fine mist cloaked the view, what she could see, anyway. The woods bordering this twisty back road blacked out most of the daylight, but no one could miss the flashing yellow light on the barrier. “The road’s closed?’

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