Page 7 of Chain Reaction
Then he pushed her to the ground and covered her with his own body.
An explosion sounded. Heat scorched his back. Singed his hair.
Debris flew, raining fire around them.
Then came the thick, dark smoke.
The blast had been quick.
He prayed Cassidy and Officer Leggott had taken cover also, that they’d heeded his warning in time.
Finally, when fragments stopped raining around them, he lifted his head.
Through the opening in the sand dune, he spotted Cassidy and Officer Leggott rise from behind the police cruiser.
Thank God, they were okay.
Jake gave them a thumbs-up to indicate he and this other woman were also safe.
Then he glanced at the woman beneath him, startling as he realized he’d been right. Therewassomething familiar about her.
She looked like someone he’d known a long time ago.
The woman lifted her head high enough to wipe some sand from her cheek. As she did, the scent of her shampoo hit him—vanilla and almond. The familiar aroma sent his mind reeling back in time.
Was that . . . ? No, it couldn’t be.
Jake quickly righted his thoughts, concentrating on the problem at hand. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine,” the woman murmured, her voice hoarse. “Thank you.”
He rolled off her, certain his eyes were deceiving him into seeing things he shouldn’t.
But as the woman’s eyes met his, recognition filled her gaze.
His heart pounded like a drumline in his ears. He wasn’t seeing things after all, was he?
Raven Newton stared at him. “Jake?”
“Raven.”
She rolled over and sat up, the gratitude in her gaze turning to suspicion. “What are . . . what in the world are you doing here?”
“I could ask the same of you.” He tried to keep the offense from his voice but was unsuccessful. That wasn’t the greeting he’d expected after saving her life. However, considering the way things had ended between them, he shouldn’t be surprised.
Her eyes narrowed. “Chief Chambers called me to help with this case.”
Raven was one of the leading experts in historical artifacts, including bombs. But he’d had no idea she’d be called in for this investigation.
Honestly, this wasn’t the right time for this conversation. Not considering the fact that a second bomb had just gone off—and this onedefinitelywasn’t an accident.
Without another word, Jake stood, brushed more sand off, and then offered his hand to help Raven up.
She stared at his outstretched arm as if contemplating whether or not to accept his offer. Finally, her fingers touched his. But the suspicion and distrust remained in her gaze.
Jake tried to ignore the rush of electricity where their skin met.
Rekindling things—or feeling any type of attraction, for that matter—with Raven Newton was the last thing he wanted.
