Page 55 of Forbidden Secrets
She clicked to open the spreadsheet.For the hundredth time, she went over the list of people who’d been at the bootlegger, trying to picture who’d been there in case she’d missed anyone.There were columns for arrival and departure times, and one for relationships – who’d been with who, what the friend groups were, who’d been dating.Delaney might be able to provide phone numbers or email addresses.
A knock at her front door had her sitting up.Setting her laptop on the coffee table, she rose to her feet.She hesitated at the door.She didn’t have a peephole and no way was she opening the door without knowing who was on the other side.Luke from Ballard Security was squeezing her in as a favor to Gage, but it would still be the end of the week before the system could be installed.
“Mel, it’s Gage.”
Her breath left her with a whoosh.The worry she was being targeted was wearing on her.She worked to smooth out her features before turning the deadbolt and opening the door.Gage wore a heavy sweater open over a gray knit shirt, his long legs encased in faded blue jeans, and leather boots.Pancake standing at his side with a doggy smile only made the man more attractive.He finger-combed damp windblown hair back from his forehead as he studied her, eyes dark and searching.
Maybe it was because she felt wound up emotionally.Maybe it was because something about him called to her on an elemental level.Or maybe it was because Gage was so damn appealing.Whatever the cause, the result was desire curling through her as seductive as a whisper.
He crossed the threshold, his hands settling on her shoulders.He bent his knees to look her in the eye.
“What is it?”
No way was she telling him she had a bad case of lust, so she shrugged.
“Addy okay?”
“Um, yeah.She’s asleep.”
“You’re upset.What happened?”
Which only proved she had zero poker face.Resigned, she stepped back.“Come in first.”
Gage grabbed Pancake by the collar and Melanie closed the door.
“You got a towel?It’s still wet out.”A storm late in the afternoon had sent thunder echoing off the mountains and brought an intense downpour followed by a persistent drizzle.
“Yeah, give me a sec.”
In the service porch she took a moment to calm herself before grabbing a towel from a stack she used for cleaning.Gage was like the thunderstorm, wild and electrifying.It made her wary of getting burned.
Returning to the front entry, she handed him the towel.Once Pancake’s paws were dry and she was free to roam, she nosed around the living room before heading for the kitchen.
“She’s looking for Addy.”Gage pulled off his boots and set them beside the door.
“Yeah, she is,” Melanie agreed.“Do you want tea?I don’t have beer or wine.”
“No, thanks.I’m good.”He caught her hand.“You hurt pissed or mad pissed?”
There it was again – that support and quiet insight that steadied her at the same time it made her heart yearn.She fought back the urge to move in for a hug, to wrap her arms around his solid strength and hold on, knowing doing that was a slippery slope she might not be able to climb back from.
“Is there an FBI class on reading people?”she muttered.“You’re annoyingly good at it.”
He brushed the back of her hand with his thumb.“It’s a special skill.And I’m dogged, not annoying.”
She rolled her eyes.
“But you’re deflecting.What’s going on?”
Melanie stepped back and he released her.She led the way into the living room, where he sat next to her on the loveseat, knees brushing.Yep, she needed more seating because being this close was way too cozy.She curled her legs under her and leaned back against the cushion.
Tea mug cupped in her hands, she said, “Remember when I told you about that kid Liam?”
“You mean the little fucker who pushed Addy?Yeah, I remember.”
“You can’t call a child a little fucker, Gage.”
“A kid pushes Addy, he’s a little fucker.He still harassing her?”
