Page 14 of Phoenix Rising

Audria looked away, disgusted at herself for pining for a man who didn’t return her feelings.

“But I’m glad it did.”

Her eyes snapped back to him. “What did you say?”

“I wanted to kiss you that day, Audria. I have for a long time.”

Her head was spinning. “You have?”

“Oh, yeah. I want to kiss you right now.”

The server chose that inopportune moment to appear. Audria almost screamed for her to leave, but the mood had been broken. She was glad she’d bitten her tongue.

The woman ran down the specials, but Audria hadn’t had a chance to glance at the offerings. The server left, giving them more time to look while Audria tried to process the fact that Reese had wanted to kiss her for, as he’d said, a long time. She picked up the menu but had trouble focusing, and it wasn’t because her hands were shaking. Reese had thrown her for a loop. Did that mean he didn’t hate her kisses?

“Everything looks delicious,” Reese commented.

How did he sound so darn casual when her world was tilting on its axis? All this time, she thought the crush had been one-sided. She’d even marked the kiss off as a reaction to solving a cold case and bringing the offender to justice. Now, he was saying he was glad it’d happened.

Would she have returned to her job at the FBI if she’d known his feelings? They might’ve gotten together sooner. Audria mentally slapped her forehead. Good grief, she was acting as if he’d professed undying love. He simply stated he’d wanted to kiss her. For a long time.

“Audria?”

She blinked and looked over at Reese. “What?”

“I asked what you’re having.”

“Oh. I don’t know yet.” She glanced back at the menu as their server grabbed her goblet. When had she drank it all?

The server returned with fresh glasses of wine. Reese must’ve signaled her. Audria chose hand-cut spinach pasta with spring mushrooms, desert sage, and parmesan Reggiano. Reese selected the black Angus beef tenderloin with glazed I’itoi onions and whipped Yukon potatoes.

The server left to place their order. Audria picked up her glass and took a sip. She needed the liquid courage to face her long-time crush.

“So, tell me about working for COBRA Securities.”

He was obviously changing the subject, for which she was grateful. Plus, he’d picked her favorite topic. She could wax poetic about her new job for hours. She told him about her coworkers and their families, the compound, and what it was like to work without the rules and regulations of the Bureau. Before she knew it, their meals arrived.

Audria dug in, moaning at the delicious taste of the pasta. They chatted and laughed as they ate. Reese had always been so easy to talk to, and she realized she’d dominated the conversation. He’d let her go on and truly listened to her, nodding and asking questions.

It would be hard, if not impossible, to hide her feelings while they were together.

The meal was charged to their room tab, so Reese left a tip and helped her stand. She swayed, the two—or was it three—glasses of wine having gone straight to her head. It was a luxury she didn’t allow herself often, especially when training for a triathlon.

“Let’s explore the grounds,” Reese suggested, holding out his arm. Audria didn’t hesitate to hold on to him this time.

The sun was setting, painting the rocks in gorgeous shades of red and purple. A lighted path led them along a bubbling creek. Several people were out enjoying nature and the cooler temperatures. A fire roared in a pit surrounded by chairs. They sat to watch the flames dance and sway in the light breeze. Reese put his arm around her, and she snuggled against him. She didn’t feel bad. They were supposed to be married. Isn’t that what he told her?

“It’s so lovely here. It’s hard to believe something bad might’ve happened to Paige.”

“Yeah,” Reese agreed. “I hope she’s okay, but I fear the worst as time passes, and she hasn’t contacted anyone.”

“What about her family?”

“She doesn’t have any besides Gennie. Her parents were killed in a car accident when she was a teenager. No siblings. She went home with Gennie on school breaks.”

“No wonder your wife wants to find her so bad. They were like sisters.”

“Ex-wife, and they were,” Reese said.

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