Page 26 of Island Holiday

“Right. And we should ask for agency support to tackle the research required to connect Zimmer’s rental stays with the folks who rented the same places after him.”

“Why wouldn’t we do that ourselves?” she asked. “Don’t we have more time here?”

If they wanted to stay. He didn’t. Especially not after finding this. He felt like a sitting duck up here, waiting for Zimmer’s thugs to crash their party. He weighed the pros and cons of telling her and chose not to. He didn’t want fear clouding her judgment. “You and I need to get to Charleston.”

She closed the bag and put it back on top of the money. Instead of securing the panel, she planted her sock-covered hands on her hips. “Because you found the girls there?”

“That’s just one reason. It’s closer to your family,” he said, offering another solid reason. “Christmas is nearly here.”

She shifted leaning a hip against the countertop. “True. My list is pretty short.”

“Get those young women back home?”

“Yes.” Her lips twisted and she stared at the socks.

He tucked his phone into his pocket and peeled the socks from her hands so he could relish the soft heat of her skin on his. “Zimmer is in the area. Three women he hired to travel with a bougie suitcase are there. And this?” he tipped his head toward the stash she’d found. “This is a neon sign inviting us to clear out.”

Her thumbs stroked across his palms and an undeniable heat lanced through his body. That’s all it took with Sonya—a look or the smallest touch and he was a goner. Gladly. Her bed was too close, too tempting. Hell, the counter was looking good enough for him.

Was she feeling the same unquenchable need?

“You’re right.”

He did a double take, had to shake out the sensual cobwebs. “I am?”

“Yes. Doesn’t matter if the men were after me or the code to get to this stash. Staying only increases their desperation.”

“I’ll call the airport,” he suggested.

Her eyes locked with his, then fell to his mouth. “And I’ll call Jess.” Her tongue swept over her lips and her hands looped around his neck. “In a minute.” He drew her in close and let the kiss carry him away.

Just for a minute.

Chapter 9

As Connor drove themto the airport, Sonya was impressed once again with him specifically and the Guardian Agency in general. They’d notified Jess and their bosses in Chicago. Jess had coordinated with the Charlotte police, sending a detective to the condo to take statements and confiscate the stash before Connor and Sonya vacated the premises. After that, they intended to hang around in case someone other than a guest showed up.

During Sonya’s short tenure, her view of how things worked at the agency had been purposely narrow. She hadn’t really wanted to know many details beyond her role with a case. Didn’t see the need. Until Zimmer, she happily stayed in her lane, limiting her connections to other employees.

People scared her. More accurately, she was afraid of what they might learn about her if she let anyone get too close. She feared rejection, being cast out when people discovered where she came from.

Seriously, it was a miracle she’d found such solid, loving family ties with Harper and Hannah. And now Connor.

She wasn’t afraid of him. Well, she was afraid of the inevitable heartache. She was too attached already, truly enjoying working with a partner. That hadn’t been part of her plan at all. And while the sex had been phenomenal, even before they’d taken that leap, she’d felt herself wishing for a friendship that couldn’t possibly stand the test of long distances.

Romance? Ha! Not a chance.

Although…

She let herself dream for a minute as she studied his handsome profile. He was so different from the men she’d grown up with. Those liars and thieves had always been looking out for themselves and what they could personally gain.

Connor was perpetually focused on others. Even while driving he was focused and attentive, monitoring his mirrors, minding the speed limit, and otherwise being smart and courteous. The man was special. If they parted ways in a day or two, he’d still managed to reset her standards. He made her feel special and valued. Anyone else in her future would be hard pressed to measure up.

Before she realized what she was doing, she reached over and covered his hand with hers where it rested on the console between them. Her body seemed to be choosing to make the most of every possible minute.

He glanced over. “You’re in deep thoughts.”

How did he do that? No one ever read her so easily, or got it right so often. “I am,” she admitted.

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