Page 59 of A Very Un-Shakespeare Romance
His mouth followed. “Not yet,” he whispered harshly as she heard a car door slam in the distance. “God, not yet.”
The kiss took on more urgent demands, and his hands slid down to her bottom, grinding her against him. She felt a rush of heat in her middle so strong she threw her head back, crying out softly.
“Yes, that’s right. Moan for me. Tell me what you need.”
She neededhim. Her body knew it, and she feared her heart did too. “We’re getting out of control here.”
“I know.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “I know, and I still can’t seem to stop touching you.”
Inciting words, ones she couldn’t ignore. She tugged his head down for a kiss. This time she took the lead, sweeping her tongue inside and making him groan.
A porch light went on, pulling her awareness toward it. Heated voices sounded. She slid her mouth to his jaw, kissing it softly, her eyes going toward the disturbance. She spotted Tim standing in the light with another petite woman, his hand on her arm—
Tara O’Connor.
“Oh, my…” Her training kicked in. She took in the understated nature of the woman’s clothing, so different from her usualsee meoutfits shot with bling, but she knew that profile like the back of her hand. “You have a visitor.”
Robbie’s head swung toward the house. “Jesus Christ!” His hands slid slowly from her, and she had a moment to take in his poleaxed expression before his face transformed into one filled with unadulterated emotion.
Then he was running toward the woman. Tim’s hand dropped from her, and Tara started running too. They met halfway to the house, wrapping their arms around each other. For a moment, she was arrested by the sight. God, they really loved each other. She’d never had anyone love her that fiercely. What would it be like?
Catching herself, she dug her nails into her palms so she could focus. Lily started walking, her heart battling with the lingering desire from their kiss. She needed to flip her internal switch so she could feel the excitement that their case had just broken wide open.
When she reached them, Robbie had his hands on Tara’s haggard face, one devoid of practically any makeup. She’d transformed herself by going plain with a nearly frumpy outfit of neutral shirt and shorts with ugly white tennis shoes. What a change. Lily was impressed.
“Are you okay?” Robbie finally managed with a hoarse voice. “Jesus, Tara, do you have any idea how much you scared me?” Then he was pulling her to him in another fierce hug.
Tim walked over to Lily, valiantly trying to smile. “So this must seem weird, but we heard the girls’ mom was almost in an accident earlier, and it totally freaked us out. My brothers didn’t mention it because they wanted their time with you and Clarice to go well. I mean, Robbie and Tara might not be right for each other romantically, but they still share a family. You know?”
Lily nearly blinked multiple times in shock. Who would have thought Shakespeare would be so good at lying on his feet? “I’m glad she’s okay. Was the near accident on the way here?”
“No, it was on her way home from work before she headed out.” He heaved out a breath. “Long story. Her work stuff changed, so she decided to pop down. She really missed the girls. And despite them getting divorced, she and Robbie have a strong bond. But it doesn’t mean anything.”
“Good to know.” How sweet of Tim to try and manage her relationship with Robbie. But he couldn’t realize why she was so impacted by the sight of their affection. As she watched Robbie and Tara hold on to each other, she felt swept away by the love they had for each other. Tara had run scared after the fire in the nail salon and come straight to the one man she knew she could count on.
Heck, that was more than love. That was loyalty.
“You wouldn’t happen to know if Clarice is back with your brother, would you?” she asked, wishing her partner were here for backup.
Did she reveal herself as an FBI agent right now or wait until Sheila was with her?
Later, she decided. She didn’t want Tara to run. The woman’s face had looked haggard before she’d hugged Robbie with all her strength. She would likely be more cooperative if she talked with her cousin, saw her girls, and got some sleep. Neither Robbie nor Billie was going to slip away without saying goodbye to them. After tonight, Lily was sure of that. She and Robbie had crossed into new territory. When she revealed herself as an agent, it was going to be a total shock to Robbie too. The whole situation had to be handled delicately.
“Ahem,” Tim said, clearing his throat loudly.
Robbie’s head turned, finally noticing his brother. Tara pulled back, and with the porch light, Lily watched the woman’s eyes narrow in suspicion. Of course they did. This woman had been terrorized. Lily would be suspicious too in her place.
“Tara,” Tim began, clearing his throat again. “This is our neighbor, Summer. She and her best friend are here on vacation too. Billie is off with Clarice tonight. They’ve been terrific with the girls. Wait until you see the magic wands Summer brought over.”
Robbie seemed to shake himself, looking down at Tara before glancing over at Lily. She could almost hear him sayoh, shitin his mind.
“Hi, Tara,” she said, forcing a smile at her person of interest. “I’ve heard so much about you.”
I can’t wait to interview you and nail the Kellys.
“Hi, Summer.” The woman’s forced smile fell quickly from her face. “I didn’t realize Robbie and Billie had met anyone on their vacation.”
Robbie scrubbed his face. “Everything since the day we left Boston has been one surprise after the other.”
