Page 60 of Unforgotten

“Do you expect me to date?” She squeezed his hands. “It wouldn’t bother you if you saw me with another man?”

He scowled. “It would. Of course it would.”

“Are you sure?” She leaned forward a few inches.

He inhaled sharply. “Candace, please don’t. I just want to—” He stopped.

“No. Say it. Say what you’re thinking.”

“This.” He released her hands, slipped a hand around to the nape of her neck, and pulled her close. And when her lips parted with a gasp, he kissed her.

And it was as far from the gentle, considerate, oh-so-proper Officer Mulaney as it could get. Ryan kissed her like they were out of time, out of breath, and unable to do anything but feel. It was everything she’d been dreaming about.

No, it was better.

Candace leaned into him, grasped his bicep, and felt the muscle bunch under her fingertips.

It was like she’d finally been kissed for the first time in her life. No peck good night or clumsy make-out session halfway through her senior prom or at a college party could come close.

It was everything.

Moving away, he pulled in a breath. It was obvious their kiss had affected him too. “Candace—” he began, but then flinched as his gaze followed something outside of the vehicle.

“What’s wrong?”

“I’m pretty sure I saw a camera flash. Or something. We were seen.” He turned on the ignition. “I need to get you home. Buckle up.”

She fastened her seat belt as he reversed out of the parking space, then he pulled his seat belt on over his torso and clipped it into place as he pulled onto the road.

Her mind was mush. She didn’t know if she should be looking for someone wandering in the woods, apologizing for pushing him, or crying since it now seemed that he felt nothing but regret. Figuring she’d said enough for one evening, she crossed her arms and looked straight ahead.

Beside her, Ryan looked just as agitated. Which wasn’t a surprise. Clearly he wished he hadn’t pulled over. Maybe he was sorry that he’d kissed her senseless.

Five minutes later, he pulled into her driveway.

She unbuckled her seat belt. “Thanks for the ride.”

“I’ll come around.”

“I can get myself out of a car, Ryan.”

“Let. Me. Do. This.” After he got out and opened the door, he took her hand like always, then reached into the back seat and pulled out her duffle.

To her surprise, he didn’t release her hand. She wondered if he was simply unaware that her palm was still nestled in his.

When they stopped at the front door, she pulled out her keys.

“Are your parents asleep?”

“It’s a quarter to eleven. Probably. Since I was out with you, they knew I was in good hands.” And there was the image of his hand pulling her close. “I mean—”

“I know what you mean.”

“Good night.” She forced herself to meet his gaze.

He was staring at her lips. “I’m not going to kiss you good night. I ... the way I’m feeling right now, I don’t think it would be a good idea.”

“Okay—well, bye.”

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