Page 98 of Fatal Witness

“How long does it take to send an ‘I’m okay’ text?”

Mark ducked his head. “You’re right. I should’ve let you know.”

“You’re darn right you should’ve.” Heat climbed up her neck. Evidently the head of steam she’d worked up had spread to her whole body. “I need some air.” She walked to the back door. “Come, Lizi.”

The night air washed over Dani, cooling her. What was wrong with her? She had no reason to be upset because Mark hadn’t called. Except ... there was a spark between them. She’d felt it and believed he had too, and she just didn’t want to hear him tell her he wasn’t interested. Lizi leaned against her leg. Oh, Mark would’ve couched it in pretty words like “it’s not you, it’s me” or “you deserve better.”

What was wrong with her? She’d only met the man a week ago ... Falling in love didn’t happen that fast. She froze.Falling in love?That couldn’t be what she felt—love was supposed to be happy and fun, not painful like this. She’d been right in the first place about keeping their relationship strictly professional.

The back door opened, and she swiped at the tears on her cheeks before she moved into the shadows of the trees in the backyard.

A cold nose touched her hand. Gem. Lizi tried to nudge the other dog away, but Gem stood her ground. Halting steps sounded behind her.

“What do you think?” Mark asked softly.

“About?”

“The stars.”

Dani raised her gaze and caught her breath at the sight. As far as she could see, stars twinkled against a black expanse. The same sky and stars she’d seen in Montana. There had to be a lesson in that, but all she could think of right now was how close Mark was. She drew in a deep breath.

“It’s almost magical.” Awe filled his voice.

If she turned and looked at him, her resolve to keep their relationship on a professional level would blow away like dust in a sandstorm.

Mark slowly turned her to face him. He ran his thumb along her jaw. “I’ve never met anyone like you,” he said, his voice low, husky.

Her knees turned to water, and she looked away.

He drew Dani closer and turned her face toward him, his blue eyes dark in the moonlight, holding her captive. Then he dipped his head, his lips hovering above hers briefly before he claimed them.

Dani moaned, giving herself to the moment. He deepened the kiss, slipping his hands behind her head, pulling her even closer.

She sighed when he released her and laid her head on his chest. Good. His heart pounded as hard as hers. No one had ever kissed her like that before. And she’d never responded like that before.

A car backfired, and Mark stiffened. “I shouldn’t—”

“Mark Lassiter, don’t you dare apologize for kissing me.”

“I wish it were that simple.”

His abrupt tone made her look up. Dani’s heart stuttered at the steely determination in his eyes, replacing the softness that had been there just moments ago. She stepped back.

“I’m sorry, Dani. I have a job to do and that’s what has to come first.”

She squared her shoulders. “I get it that you regret kissing me, but it’s not like you professed your undying love.”

His eyes grew round. “I didn’t say I regret—”

“You didn’t have to—your actions say it for you.” She steepled her fingers. “Why don’t we go back to the way we were this morning and pretend the kiss never happened.”

“Is that what you want?”

Was that disappointment in his eyes? “It’s probably for the best. Alex pointed out earlier that I don’t have a lot of experience with men, and I don’t care to have my heart broken, not by you or any other man.”

48

Mark winced. Dani’s words cut deep. Not that he didn’t deserve them. “It’s not you—”

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