Page 62 of Secrets in Calusa Cove

“I struggle to believe Trevor isn’t one of the big fish, but maybe he did turn over a new leaf. Anything’s possible.” She sighed.

“Are you going to be okay?” Dawson asked softly. His long fingers rested on her shoulders, squeezing gently.

Shoving all the painful emotions and memories back into the dark corner of her mind, she pulled open her car door and tossed her bag across the seat. “I’m just driving back to the cabins. I’ll be fine.”

Dawson took her by the forearms. “I’ll follow you just to be safe.”

She sighed again, realizing that’s exactly what she wanted. Needed. For the first time in her adult life, she allowed another human to worm his way into her bloodstream. It felt warm and comfortable. No. It was more than that. She craved it. Desired it. Even demanded it. “You don’t have to do that.”

“Yeah, actually, I do.” He took her chin with his thumb and forefinger. “I’d never forgive myself if anything happened to you.” He leaned in and tenderly brushed his lips over hers in a sweet kiss.

If knees could buckle, hers did. She gripped his shoulders, wrapping her tongue around his, swirling and sucking it into her mouth in a desperate attempt to feel everything he had to give.

She shuddered, remembering where she stood. “People are staring,” she whispered.

“And you think I care?”

“You should,” she managed. “Everyone thinks I?—”

He hushed her with another passionate kiss—one that matched the last one and then some.

Heat rose to her cheeks.

He pulled back, and his lips curved seductively upward. “You’re cute when you blush.”

“And you’re a pain in the ass.” She eased behind the steering wheel, glancing around the parking lot. Baily stepped from the marina shop. She smiled and waved. At least there was one other person who didn’t look at Audra as if she were a scum-sucking bottom-feeder. “You know I’ll have to go back out there tomorrow. I do have an article to write.”

“If all goes well, I can go with you.”

“You’re not my babysitter.”

He chuckled. “Perhaps not, but I don’t want you out there alone. Not with what people are thinking and saying.” He batted her nose. “And it is my job to protect the citizens of this town.”

“Well, I don’t live here.”

“That’s a technicality.” He reached across her and tugged at the seat belt. “Don’t make me chase you down the street. I won’t hesitate to turn on my lights and pull you over.”

Her lips twitched. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“Only if I get to break out the handcuffs and get to use them…in bed.”

She laughed. “Oh my God. You’re insufferable.”

“I’ve been called worse.” He closed the door and strutted across the parking lot with that sexy swagger.

Audra sucked in a deep breath. She’d expected to be treated like an outsider when she returned.

But she’d never anticipated Dawson. He was something else.

She put her vehicle in gear and pulled out of the parking lot, Dawson right on her ass.

A weird rattling noise vibrated from somewhere inside her car. Shit. Her car was older, but it had served her well. The last thing she needed was for it to have issues in this small town. The local body shop was owned by Mark Lamin and his old man. Mark was a nice enough guy, but he’d been friends with Ken.

Not someone she wanted to spend any time with.

Or ask for help.

Maybe Dawson knew something about cars. Worst case, she could always ask Trinity. Her dad owned a bunch of dealerships.

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