Page 38 of Deadly Designs

“I talked to the captain, and he had it towed to thepolice impound lot. We can pick it up there later. That ought tothrow off the people tracking you.”

It warmed her heart that he’d thought about her car.Christian opened her door, and she climbed inside. He waited forher to buckle up before closing the door and rounding the hood toslide behind the wheel. “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving.Getting electrocuted does that to a person.”

“Don’t joke about that.” Her raised voice in theconfines of the SUV echoed loudly. A shudder ran through her body,remembering the helpless, hopeless feeling when he’d been writhingin pain, and there was nothing she could do to help. She didn’tknow him well, but he’d become one of the most important people inher life.

“Aja Blue, honey, I’m okay.”

Somehow, he’d released her seat belt and pulled heronto his lap. She didn’t realize she was violently shaking until hewrapped his arms around her and calmed her twitching limbs. Thewarmth of his body and the solid feel of his muscles cocooned herin a blanket of security. Leaning against him, she absorbed hisstrength, and her body relaxed. Usually, she was the rock. Peoplecame to her for reassurance and guidance. But not right now.

Christian ran a hand down her hair. “I didn’t mean tojoke about it. Almost getting abducted is frightening, to say theleast. I know I’ll be having nightmares about it.”

She shook her head. “It wasn’t that.” She sat up andlooked into his beautiful blue eyes, which were ringed with redbecause of her. “It was seeing you in pain and not being able to doanything about it. My heart couldn’t take it.”

“Oh, babe.”

He slid his hands around her face, and then he kissedher tenderly, and Aja Blue whimpered at the contact. It was sweetand comforting, but she wanted more. She needed him. In a flash,the kiss turned hot and demanding. Tongues dueled, breaths mingled,and they became one. If not for the peel of a nearby siren, she’dhave stripped him naked and had her way with him in front of themetro police station.

When they broke the kiss, both breathed heavily. AjaBlue stroked his face, careful of the abrasion on his cheek. Thenshe slid back into her seat and refastened her belt.

Christian started the SUV and backed out of thespace. He asked the onboard navigation system for a restaurantrecommendation, and soon, he pulled into a place that advertisedthe freshest seafood on the Eastern Seaboard.

“Have you been here before?”

Aja Blue shook her head. “No, but I’ve been meaningto try it. It gets glowing reviews.”

She stepped out and joined Christian in front of thevehicle. He grabbed her hand, and they entered the restaurant. Thedress code was casual, which was good since they’d both had a roughday and didn’t look their best.

They were seated in a booth beside a windowoverlooking the water. Although Aja Blue stared at the menu, shewasn’t seeing anything. Her mind kept replaying that kiss. It wasmind-blowing. Life-changing. She was dangerously close to fallingin love with Christian Zamora.

A server appeared and placed hot rolls in front ofthem before taking their drink order.

“Everything looks delicious,” Christian remarked.“What do you recommend?”

Obviously, he wasn’t having trouble focusing. Sheshook her head and perused the offerings as the server espoused theday’s specials. The garlic shrimp linguini looked scrumptious butwas not conducive to possible after-dinner activities, i.e., morekissing. She chose the pan-seared tuna while Christian orderedgrilled salmon.

When the server left, Aja Blue focused on thegorgeous man across from her. Time to get to know Christian Zamorabetter.

Chapter Ten

Christian couldn’t remember whenhe’d enjoyed a dinner more than the one he shared with Aja Blue.While they waited for their meals, they talked and laughed, theearlier tension forgotten. Her shout for him to stop joking aboutbeing tased had gutted him. Her terror had been palpable. She’dbeen through a scary ordeal; he should’ve anticipated her shock.His bad.

While conversation went on around them and peopleenjoyed their food, he learned about her likes and dislikes, aswell as her favorite television shows and movies. They shared amutual love of rock music and roller coasters. It would’ve been theperfect first date if they were, in fact, on a date.

The only time there was a lull in the conversationwas when the server appeared to deliver their meals and then whenshe removed their finished plates. He had a feeling he’d never runout of topics to discuss with Aja Blue. She was intelligent,well-read, and wickedly funny. He’d been so engrossed in theirdiscussion that he’d almost forgotten that kiss. Almost.

Maybe it wasn’t professional, but he’d made adecision. He would take advantage of their time together. He had noresistance to her, so it was silly to pretend otherwise. Keepingher safe was priority one, and he felt confident he could do thatand explore their explosive connection.

His phone vibrated, and he checked the display to seeLogan Bradley’s name. “I need to take this. I’ll be rightback.”

He scooted out of the booth and headed outside. “Hey,Logan, what’s up?”

“Hey, Christian. I’ve got Luke with me. How are youfeeling? I’ve been tased before, and it’s no picnic.”

Christian chuckled. “No, it wasn’t, but I’m fine now.Thanks for the quick work getting me freed.”

“No problem,” Luke said. He’d been a police detectivebefore starting COBRA Securities with Logan, a Navy SEAL. Luke knewhis way around a police station.

“Since it looks like something is happening, we’resending Kayne Serruto and Presley Parrish to assist you. They’ll bethere tomorrow morning.”

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