Page 44 of Release You

He pressed his forehead against mine. “Me too,” he groaned, a low, sexy groan. “But not here.”

What was wrong with me? This was his mom’s room. I slammed my body against the wall to keep myself from screaming in frustration. He cradled my neck and kissed me sweetly as he slid the straps of my dress up my arms and over my shoulders.

“Believe me when I tell you that it physically hurts to leave you right now.” He pushed his erection against my leg. “Let’s go home.”

I pressed my palms against the wall behind me to keep from reaching out to him. “You better hurry,” I whispered.

With a pained expression on his face, he left the room. I sat on my heels, pressing a hand to my forehead.

Love was for fools. What the hell was I doing? I couldn’t fall for him again. Henry made it so hard to concentrate on anything else.

I had to focus. The job came first, always. I was in Paradise Creek for Lisa. I repeated this mantra a few more times until the humming in my body subsided and I had this desire for Henry under control. After a few calming breaths, I stood and adjusted my dress.

I hadn’t come to Cavalier Manor to have sex with him. I came here to test a theory. To find out if Tessa was guilty or just another victim. Henry was convinced his mom had lied to him all these years. After our encounter with Scott a few nights ago, a small part of me agreed with him. He hadn’t said it, but I was willing to bet that not only did Henry believe Tessa planned all this in complicity with his uncle, he also suspected she had something to do with his dad’s murder as well.

The day Henry and I came to the manor to rescue Tessa, Henry had been so distraught to find his mom gone we didn’t do a proper sweep of the bedroom. I knew better than that. We hadn’t even checked the bathroom where Tessa kept money stashed away. I went into the bathroom and headed straight to the standing cabinet in the corner, where I went through all the medicine bottles. What exactly was Tessa’s illness that she needed all this crap? I shook all the bottles until I found one that didn’t rattle but was heavy. The date on the bottle was from a few months back. I twisted the cap off and took out a roll of money. If Tessa was the mastermind Henry thought, why would she keep cash around?

I put down the toilet-seat cover, and I plopped myself on it.When I was fifteen, after I had decided to run away, I came back to the manor to steal from Tessa. Back then, I’d been convinced she let me see where she kept cash stashed away in case I needed it one day. What had Tessa been afraid of back then? Why the contingency plan? What was she afraid of now? Something didn’t add up here. She was sick one day and then completely fine the next, dining with Jonathan as if they were old friends. What had happened? He’d held her captive all these years, and suddenly for no good reason, he’d grown a conscience and let her go? No, men with a conscience wouldn’t hire scumbags to rough up their nephews. Scott’s words echoed in my mind, and I shuddered. Had he lied to save his own skin? Had Jonathan really sent him to kill Henry? Too many questions and not one solid answer.

I sat there, taking the room in, searching for a better hiding spot than a medicine bottle. If Tessa was planning to escape, she’d need more than money. She’d need some kind of insurance. Then I saw it, the cracked tile under the cabinet. I cocked my head and lowered myself to the floor. Was this it? I crawled the rest of the way, with my gaze fixed on the loose tile. In the gaping hole underneath was another bottle of pills. I didn’t bother to look inside of it. Whatever was in it would no doubt get Tessa out of hiding.

“You want your things back, Tessa? You’re gonna have to come get them yourself. And while you’re at it, you’re going to help us prove Lisa’s innocence.”

I fished my purse from the bedside table and shoved the bottle and Tessa’s money in it. With my heart racing in anticipation of seeing Henry again, I peeked through the small opening between the door and the threshold. The corridor appeared empty, so I slipped out of the bedroom and rushed downstairs.

“Ms. Swift, leaving so soon?”

I rolled my eyes and turned to face the mayor.

“Yes. I’m suddenly not feeling well. Must be the heat.”

“Oh. Can I get you anything? Here, have a seat.” Jonathan gestured toward a chair.

“No need, darling. Maybe you could assist with my car?”

“Of course.” He ushered me out the front door.

Outside, a few cars were parked around the massive stone water fountain. Despite all the bad memories, this place was breathtaking with its sparkling lights and tall trees lining the driveway all the way up to the gate, a half a mile down the gravel road.

“Are you sure I can’t get you anything else?” Jonathan walked me to my Tesla.

“Thank you for an incredible evening, darling. Give my regards to Francesca.”

“Of course, I will.” He lowered his gaze for a moment.

Whatever he and his wife had going on wasn’t my problem. With a quick wave, I climbed into the car and drove off to the Cavalier Hotel. Henry had called it home, and I’d nodded in agreement, not thinking on it twice. Was he right? Had I finally found a home in Paradise Creek? No, not without Lisa.

The lights inside the lobby were turned off, and the curtains drawn. I parked on the street in my usual spot behind Henry’s beat-up truck. A bubble expanded in my chest and forced a giggle out of me. I deserved a little happiness, didn’t I?

I crossed the threshold and flipped the deadbolt. A jazzy tune played over the speakers as Henry sat at the bar, still wearing that tuxedo like he was born in it. He looked hot and so comfortable in his own skin, while I was ready to jump out of mine.

“What took you so long?” He stood, his eyes full of promises when he looked me up and down.

“I couldn’t just leave. I had to thank our gracious hosts.” Iplaced my purse on the counter, took his glass of whiskey, and sipped.

He bit the inside of his lip, his gaze on my mouth. A small jolt at my core made my legs press together. God, I was ready for him again.

“Is whiskey your drink?” He poured another two fingers in the same glass.

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