Page 42 of Dark Memories
“No, what I need to do is this.” He slid his hand around the back of her neck, drawing her to him until their mouths met. “Stubborn woman,” he murmured when she kept her lips pressed together.
He angled his head and sucked her bottom lip into his mouth. On a sigh, she opened her mouth and he dived in. She tasted like wine and the woman he’d loved.Still loved. That had never changed and never would. She put one hand on his face and the other on his chest. The spark ignited, the fire burning the way it always had between them. He gave himself another minute, then broke the kiss before the need to take her down to the floor with him overtook his good sense.
As much as he wanted her, he pulled away and rested his forehead against hers, both of them breathing heavily. He knew she wouldn’t stop him, but she was still in flight mode. If he took her to his bed tonight, she’d run tomorrow. He was playing a long game where the reward would be greater than satisfying the lust burning through his blood at the moment.
It was a long game he planned to win.
Chapter Thirteen
Harry trailed Zach and Kali into the department store, her gaze scanning their surroundings for any sign of Garth Davidson. Eve had e-mailed them photos of him this morning, and she’d showed them to Zach, making sure he’d recognize the man if he saw him.
She didn’t like Zach or Kali being out in public while Davidson was still on the loose, but the minute he’d asked Kali if she wanted a tent fort this morning, the girl had been bouncing on her toes. After all that she’d gone through, it was impossible to deny her.
On the surface it seemed as if Kali wasn’t affected by her kidnapping, but her nightmare around three this morning belied that assumption. Harry had gotten out of bed—where she’d been not so happily sleeping alone—when she heard Kali crying, but by the time she’d reached Kali’s room, Zach was already next to his daughter’s bed.
Harry had stood outside the door, neither of them realizing she was there, and listened as Zach soothed his daughter with soft words until she’d fallen back asleep. She’d slipped back to her room before he found her hovering nearby. This morning when she’d gotten up and peeked into Kali’s room, it was to see that Zach had made another pallet with his comforter on the floor next to Kali’s bed. Kali’s arm was hanging off the side, her hand resting on his chest, and his strong hand covering hers. It was enough to break Harry’s heart.
“This one,” Kali exclaimed, running to a small teepee decorated with princesses wearing pastel gowns. She glanced up at Harry. “Do you like it, Delaney?”
“I do.” She squatted down and lifted the flap so they could look inside. “There’s plenty of room for you and Ollie in here.”
“And you and Daddy.” She giggled, her gaze turning sly. “If we let boys come in.”
“Hey,” Zach said, lowering to his knees beside them. “I thought we settled this last night, Princess. Am I going to have to tickle you again?”
Kali grabbed her sides, her giggles growing. “No! You can come in if you call me Princess.”
“Didn’t I just do that?” He grinned. “I think you need a crown to go with your new castle.”
By the time they left the store, Kali had her teepee, a princess tiara she’d insisted on wearing, and a magic wand to, in her words, “Keep the bad people away.” Harry wished it was that easy. They were a few car lengths away from Zach’s Mercedes SUV when she put her arm out, stopping Zach and Kali.
At Zach’s raised brow, she said, “Flat tire.” And for Kali’s benefit added, “You must have run over a nail.” But her senses were on alert. “Wait here a minute.” She didn’t like leaving their side, even for a few steps, but she needed to check out his car. She turned in a circle, scanning the area, and didn’t see anyone lurking about or another car idling nearby.
Zach nodded as he put his hand on Kali’s shoulder. His gaze was searching around them, too. Her eyes still alert for trouble, she walked to the car, her danger level going to Code Red at seeing a second flat tire, then a third and fourth one at the front of the car. She hurried back to Zach and Kali.
“I’m hungry,” she said. “How does hamburgers at the food court sound?”
“I’m hungry, too,” Kali said, oblivious to the tension radiating off her and Zach. “Can we have a hamburger, Daddy?”
“Sure, Princess.” He glanced over at his car, then at Harry, his eyes burning with rage.He’s here?he mouthed.
“Or was. Let’s go get some lunch.” She wanted them inside with people around.
He hefted the bag with the teepee under one arm, then picked up Kali.
“Daddy, I can walk.”
“A princess should be carried to lunch.”
“Why are you walking so fast?” Kali said.
Harry positioned herself on the side he held Kali as they returned to the mall. “Your crown is so pretty, Princess,” she said to divert Kali’s attention from her father. Zach’s body and voice were laced with tension, and his daughter was picking up on it.
She wished Gabe was back from his vacation to give them backup. As soon as they reached the food court, she found an empty table near a wall where she could see if anyone approached. “I’ll stay here with Kali while you get us hamburgers,” she said.
He hesitated, and she understood that he didn’t want to leave his daughter, but she had a gun and he didn’t. “Go on.” She tapped Kali’s arm. “Tell him we’re hungry,” she whispered.
“We’re hungry, Daddy.”
