Page 64 of Deadly Secrets
“So no badge bunnies, gold-diggers, or arm-candy trophy hunters. Tall order.”
“Probably why I’m still alone.”
“Surely you’ve had your share of serious relationships.”
He shrugged. “I was engaged once. I was sure she was the one.”
Brooke’s brows lowered slightly. “What happened?”
“She ditched me a few weeks before the wedding.”
“Why?”
The beer cooled his throat as he took a swig, giving the old pain in his heart a chance to subside before he answered. “It’s a long story involving Percy and my attempt to stop a drug deal he was involved in. In the end, he died and Melinda left me.”
Brooke rose from the stool and came over to him. “I’m so sorry.”
“Me too. At least about Percy.”
“Melinda’s a bitch. A stupid one, I might add.”
“You don’t know the whole story.”
She threaded her arms around his waist. “I don’t need to.”
Her lips were right there, ready for kissing. Her eyes locked on his, inviting him to open up, share his past.
He set down his beer and touched her hair. God, he wanted her, but bringing up Percy had been a bad idea, reminding him how mixing work with people you cared about could end in tragedy. “You hungry?”
Confusion touched her face. She’d been ready for that kiss. “I just ate a bunch of truffles.”
Right. “The steaks need a few more minutes to defrost. How about we hit the punching bag? I’ll show you some self-defense moves. Help you work up an appetite before I throw them on the grill.”
“I thought you didn’t cook.”
He chucked her chin. “As long as I don’t overcook them, it’s hard to mess up a steak.”
She smiled, dropped her arms and took a step back. “I’m not very coordinated.”
He’d pushed her away. Which was good.
So why did his stomach hurt?
Taking her hand, he pulled her to him and kissed her knuckles. “We’ll work on that.”
