Page 39 of Deadly Designs

“Great. That’s a relief.” He’d planned on calling hisbosses in the morning to request help, but they were a step aheadas usual.

“Let Kayne or Presley know if you need them to bringadditional supplies,” Logan told him.

“I will. Thanks.”

“Also, Tyler will send you footage from the parkinglot cameras,” Luke said. “I’m sure the authorities will be all overthem, but we knew you’d want a first look at them.”

Once again, they were on top of it. He’d planned onrequesting the video earlier, but he’d been sidetracked by theendless questions and interviews at the police station. Then, thatkiss had rocked his world and muddled his brain. He was lucky heremembered his name. Only the gnawing hunger building all day haddistracted him from the taste of her soft lips. He should’ve calledonce seated, but the conversation had been enrapturing.

That thought made him pause. He’d been tellinghimself all along that he could keep his growing feelings for AjaBlue separate from the investigation, but he forgot everything elsewhen he was around her. That wasn’t good. He couldn’t afford tosplit his attention. His focus needed to be on keeping her safe.Thankfully, Kayne and Presley were coming to assist.

He discussed a few more issues with his bosses andheaded back inside the restaurant. Christian stopped dead in histracks. The stab of jealousy that overcame him was as sharp andshocking as the electricity that had coursed through his bodyearlier today. Aja Blue was chatting and laughing with adark-haired man who had the gall to sit in Christian’s seat.

With a deep breath to calm his temper, he marchedforward. Aja Blue looked up at him and smiled. His footstepsfaltered as his anger vanished—just like that. She was so beautifulthat she took his breath away.

Aja Blue held out a hand for him, and he grasped it.“Christian, this is Dr. Seth Mulgrew. He owns the dentist’s officenext to my shop. He’s the one who called the police when he noticedthe vandalism this morning.”

Seth stood and flashed his perfectly pearly whites.Christian had the insane urge to punch them down his throat. Heshook the tooth doctor’s hand and forced himself not to crush hisfingers. What was with the malicious tendencies? He’d never beenthe jealous boyfriend type. If anything, he was apathetic. Not withAja Blue.

“Nice to meet you, Christian. Aja Blue, I hope youfind the person who caused the destruction. Keep me posted. I’llsee you later.”

Christian slid back into the booth, and another waveof irritation hit him when the seat was warm, courtesy of Dr.Seth’s fat ass. Though, of course, it wasn’t. He’d beendisgustingly fit with the body of a marathon runner. Christianjerked a thumb over his shoulder. “What’s his story?”

Aja Blue’s eyes widened at his harsh tone. “Seth?What do you mean?”

Seth. She sounded pretty chummy. “What’s up with thegood doctor? You two gone out before?”

Aja Blue’s lips curved into a knowing smile, and hefelt like a colossal idiot. She’d figured out he was envious.“Well, no. He wouldn’t have time. Seth is happily married with sixchildren.”

Christian’s mouth gaped open. “Six?”

“Yep. They have their very own Brady Bunch. He andhis wife planned on four, but the last pregnancy resulted inunexpected triplets.”

“Triplets. Wow.” He was a fool for jumping toconclusions without the facts. “At least he can get a good deal onbraces.”

Aja Blue tossed back her head and laughed, and hejoined in. His irrational jealousy was something to think aboutlater. The server brought the check, and a small fight ensued overwho would pay. Christian won.

He stood and waited for Aja Blue to join him. Heplaced his palm against her back to guide her from the restaurantand kept it there because he enjoyed touching her.

“What a day,” she said as he helped her inside theSUV and closed her door.

“It’s not over yet,” he told her as he sat behind thewheel and started the engine. Christian glanced over to see herwatching him with, if he wasn’t mistaken, unabashed lust. Damn, hehadn’t meant it that way, but now, all the blood in his body rushedsouth. If she happened to look down, she’d see how much sheaffected him. “I meant I have the videos to go over from theparking lot and outside your office.”

Was that disappointment he detected, or was heprojecting his feelings onto her? Good grief, he was a mess.

“The police gave them to you?”

Christian smiled and shifted into gear. “Notexactly.”

“What does that mean?”

He checked for traffic and replied, “We have ourways.”

#

Aja Blue was having a hard time keeping her feelingsfor Christian hidden. There was so much to like, and he fascinatedher. The more she learned about him, the more her emotionsintensified. They had so many shared hobbies. Things she enjoyeddoing, he did too. What fun they would have testing the rides at anamusement park or cheering on their favorite teams at a footballgame. Hiking in national parks and sitting around campfires hadalso been mutual interests. She would love to do either, or both,with him. And he’d been jealous of Seth! That had to mean theattraction was mutual, right? He certainly kissed like it was.

“I forgot to tell you that two of my associates willarrive tomorrow to assist in protecting you.”

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