Page 79 of Counter Attack

He opened her door. “I need to get you home since we’re going to Chattanooga early tomorrow morning.”

“No argument there.”

Nathan stilled as the skin on the back of his neck prickled. Someone was watching them.

He eased the door shut and scanned the area as he jogged to the other side of the truck. Nothing moved. The only thing he saw was the shadows of the buses. Was he seeing shooters behind every unidentified object? Didn’t matter, he wouldn’t rest easy until he got Alexis safely inside her grandparents’ house.

Nathan’s gaze shifted between the rearview mirror and the side mirror as he drove to the Stones’ house. No one followed them, but he couldn’t shake his unease. He pulled to the left this time in the circle drive that went around to the back so that the passenger door would be next to the entrance.

“Are you coming in?” she asked

“I didn’t get my piece of lemon cake...”

That made her laugh. “No, I guess you didn’t.”

“Just for a minute, though, since we’re going to Chattanooga early tomorrow morning.” Nathan didn’t relax until they were inside the house.

“I saw you watching your mirrors.” Alexis cut a generous slice of cake and placed it on a saucer, then licked the icing she’d gotten on her fingers. “No one followed us, did they?”

“No. But they wouldn’t have to—everyone knows where you live.”

She grinned. “That should make for a restful night.”

“Sorry. Will it help to know that Jared is patrolling tonight, and he’s supposed to swing by every hour?”

“Yes.” She set the piece of cake in front of him. “Would you like a cup of coffee? Or maybe a glass of milk?”

“Neither. In fact, if you have something to put this in, I’ll take it with me and let you get to bed.”

“You don’t have to.”

“If I don’t, you’re going to go to sleep right where you’re standing.”

“Sorry.”

More than anything, he wanted this case to be over. Not knowing who was responsible for the murders and shootings made it impossible to protect her—even if Alexis didn’t think she needed protecting.

A strand of her dark red hair had slipped out of the clasp, and he brushed it back. The past month her strength and courage had made him proud. Maybe she didn’t need him to protect her, but that didn’t keep him from wanting to.

Alexis closed her eyes and leaned into his touch, sending currents of electricity up his arm to his chest. He cupped her face in his hand and ran his thumb along her jaw. He wanted more than anything to take her in his arms and kiss her. It took every ounce of restraint he possessed to instead draw her to his chest. He’d never stopped loving her.

Alexis must have felt his heartbeat. She leaned back, and their gazes collided. Her eyes softened, inviting him to kiss her. Nathan lowered his head until their lips touched. With a moan, she pulled him closer, and he captured her lips, tasting lemon icing.

When he released her, she nestled her head against his chest. For a minute she didn’t speak, and he simply held her.

“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have done that,” she said softly.

He froze. “What do you mean? You care about me. I know you do.”

“Oh yeah.” She sighed. “And that’s the problem.”

“I don’t see it as a problem.”

“But I’m not staying in Pearl Springs, and falling in love certainly isn’t in my plan.”

“I don’t understand.”

She pulled away from him and retreated to the other side ofthe kitchen, opening cabinet drawers and closing them. After the third one, she pulled out a pint baggie, put the slice of cake in it, and handed it to him. “You need to leave. I’m too tired to go there tonight.”

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