Page 73 of Fire Fight
“Aww, big brother!” I crowed, socking him on the shoulder so he released mine. “You care!”
He hooked an arm around my neck and ruffled my hair. “You tell anyone, and I’ll kill you. Just like I’ll kill you if these files wind up in anyone’s hands but yours and Aspen’s.”
Laughing, I shoved him away and made for the driver’s side of my truck. “Love you too!” I called as I popped the door open.
“Yeah, yeah,” he grumbled before speeding off.
“What was that about?” Aspen asked when I settled behind the wheel.
For some reason, I wasn’t quite ready to share my bounty with her. Maybe I was worried she’d take the files and run, cutting me not only out of the investigation but out of her life.
So I did what I had to: I lied.
“He was getting rid of some old weights and asked if I wanted them.”
Aspen snorted. “You don’t have enough in that basement of yours?”
I hitched a shoulder up. “You can never have too many. Plus, I’m getting stronger.” In the dashboard lights, I made a show offlexing and patting my bicep, and Aspen giggled. “Gotta increase my weights if I don’t want to lose muscle.”
“Trust me,” she mused. “I don’t think you’re in danger of that happening anytime soon.”
“You been checking me out, little phoenix?” Flashing her a grin, I put the truck in drive and rolled away from the house.
“Yep,” she answered proudly.
“Good,” I said. “Me too.”
“You’ve been checking yourself out?” she quipped.
“Woman…” I warned.
A deep, throaty laugh filled the cab, and I couldn’t help joining her.
“Please. You know you’re hot.”
“All that matters is that you think so.”
And speaking ofhot, had it gotten warm in the cab, or was that coming from us?
twenty-one
. . .
ASPEN
When I wokethe following morning and Crew had left for work already, I could admit, I was a bit forlorn. I’d come to rely on his presence, not only to make me feel less alone, but also because having him around made me feel safe in a way few things else ever had. Secretly, I didn’t love being here without him, without his warm presence filling the cold, dark spaces. I knew nothing bad could happen to me even with him gone, not with his impressive security system, but I wantedhim, not technology.
How quickly I’d come to rely on him in such a short amount of time was staggering and terrifying.
I really enjoyed his company—more than was probably wise, considering I’d be leaving this town in the rearview when this case wrapped up. Still, I intended to savor these days with him. Even if all I got from him was friendship, that would be enough.
Though I desperately wanted more, namely his hands on my body, making me feel things other thansafe. Something about Crew Lawless made me want to be reckless, a controlled environment in which to unleash myself.
Without any leads to run down at the moment, I decided tohave myself a spa day in the hopes of a distraction, trading in the serviceable but small tub in the guest bath for the huge soaking one with jets in Crew’s master. I located some bubble bath in the linen closet, attempting to convince myself his sister kept it there instead of believing it had been left behind by an old flame.
I didn’t want to think about Crew with other women.
I only wanted to think about him withme, even if in my head was the only place we’d ever exist that way.
