Page 63 of Exposure of Murder

He carefully freed his arm from her shoulders so as not to wake her. He got up, found a soft throw, and covered her.

Ethan paused to stare at Jane. Her dark hair fanned out against the back of the sofa, her lips parted slightly. He closed his eyes, remembering the kisses they shared—perfect. Ethan wished he could stay, but they weren’t at that part of a relationship. Yet.

He grabbed his jacket and slipped away, making sure the door locked behind him. Taking in a deep breath of the cold night air released some of the tension and doubts he had.

However, he had a job to do and needed to stay focused. Find a murderer. Keep Jane safe. Protect his heart. Ethan sighed. Could he have it all again?

The job? The woman? The relationship?

Warm sunlight wokeJane and caressed her face as she slowly opened her eyes. She was still on the sofa; the fire was cold, as was the empty space beside her. She sat up, pushing off the throw he’d covered her with, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes, trying to piece together what happened.

When had Ethan left? She felt a small twinge of disappointment.

Jane licked her lips, remembering the taste of bourbon on his as he passionately kissed her, the warmth of the fire, and the comfort and desire she felt in his arms. It had been a while since she felt such a strong connection with a man.

However, she knew Ethan wasn’t a man to rush things. Was he still hurting from Corrine’s betrayal? Maybe not. If he were, he wouldn’t have kissed her. Was she ready for a new relationship? Maybe—perhaps even more than maybe. She was very attracted to Ethan. He was sexy as hell, but more than that, she admired his values and liked his friends. She knew she could trust him to keep her safe.

With a sigh, Jane stood and made her way to the kitchen. A double jolt of caffeine was needed. When the coffee was ready, she poured herself a cup and stared out at the view from her window. She could see the McQueeney farm and wondered if Ethan was thinking of her.

She had no idea where things would head with Ethan. She hoped in time it would lead to something deeper. But now she had two men to worry about when it came to matters of the heart. Although she was attracted to Victor, there were still lingering concerns about his personal life or business. Jane wastorn between two very different men who intrigued and scared her in different ways.

She didn’t know what the future held for her love life, but right now she was content with enjoying her coffee and pondering the future.

Thirty-Three

Early Monday morning, Jane wrapped her blanket tighter around her shoulders. She was sitting on the porch, observing Tanner slowly moving hay to the barn with the tractor. The cows in the pasture mooed, hopeful for a treat. The weather was crisp and cold. She rocked gently back and forth as she rehashed her date the other night with Ethan and the memory of his kisses. Oh, those kisses.

She closed her eyes and still felt his soft lips on hers, his tongue demanding entry, taking what it wanted and her giving it, then his calloused thumb caressing her face as his warm brown eyes grew dark with need.

He’d called the next day, thanking her for a wonderful evening, and asked to do it again. Of course, she said yes.

The sudden sound of tires crunching on the gravel caught her attention.

Her heart skipped a beat. She looked at her watch. She wasn’t expecting anyone but hoped it was Ethan. It was too early for Bucky. He had an appointment and wouldn’t be in until later in the afternoon. Jane rose from the swing to see who it was, the blanket slipping off her shoulders.

A sleek black car rolled down the driveway. The driver’s door opened, and her hopes were dashed as Victor stepped out. Today he was casually dressed, still rocking the bad-boy vibe—black jeans, black tee, black leather jacket and black boots. He opened the back door and pulled out a bag. When he saw her, he broke out into a big smile.

“Victor,” she said as she walked toward him. “What a surprise.”

“Jane,” he said, his smile as charming as ever. “I was in the area and took a chance you’d be home.” He held up the bag. “I brought lunch.”

“It’s only nine o’clock,” she said, smiling.

He chuckled as he stepped closer, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “I’ve missed you. Everything okay?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied. “Actually, this is a good time to visit. I was just sitting on the porch going over my chores. Bucky won’t be here until later. I have to feed the animals, then I’m all yours.”

He grinned and winked. “All mine?”

She shrugged playfully. “How about a cup of coffee first?”

“Sounds good.” He followed her inside and set the bag on the kitchen counter. The kitchen was warm and cozy after the nippy air. The sweet aroma of chocolate still lingered in the air from the bread she baked last night.

He leaned against the counter and glanced around. “Tell me about your renovations.”

Jane pointed out the new cabinets and appliances. He took the time to compliment her on her choices. “My builder made this table,” she told him.

“It’s beautiful.” Victor rubbed his hands over the wood. “He does fine work.”

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