Page 60 of Wandering Souls

Abi ran a fingertip down his cheekbone and under his chin, lifting his face to hers. He leaned across the console, his closeness drawing her forward until she rested her forehead against his. A shiver rattled through her and she became uncomfortably aware of the wet sweater on her skin.

“Is six too early?”

Abi shook her head and stole a quick kiss. “Sounds perfect. Need me to bring anything?”

His mouth curved into a devastating smile. “Just yourself, pretty lady.” He sat up and began rebuttoning his shirt. “I should let you go so you can get out of those wet clothes.” His nostrils flared and his eyes slammed shut.

“Ray?”

He shook his head. “Sorry. Just an inappropriate vision.”

Abi bit the inside of her lip. “Tell me.”

Looking mortified, his eyes sprang open and his jaw gaped like a fish. It took him a moment to compose himself. “Um, no.”

She had to smile. He’d already confessed his thoughts, why not share? “Why not?”

“You heard me sayinappropriate,right?”

Turning, she faced the steering wheel and the steamy windscreen. “Well, if you don’t share, I won’t either.”

His gasp almost made her bite her tongue. Shifting her eyeballs, she found him staring at her with shock. “I’ll never get any work done this afternoon,” he mumbled, leaned across to kiss her cheek. “You’re torturing me.”

Abi laughed and turned to him. “Poor, Ray.”

“Yes,poor Ray.” He parried. “How do I go about investigating a series of thefts at the aged care facility while I’m thinking about you getting out of those wet clothes?”

He had her there. “Very discretely?”

He grinned and nodded. “That’s funny. Promise me something?” He slipped the top button back into its loop.

“Sure.”

Leaning closer, he pressed his lips to her ear. “After you’ve slipped out of those wet garments, think about what I’d like to do once you’re naked.”

Abi’s breath caught in her throat. Images slammed through her mind and the chills that had assaulted her disappeared. She swallowed to loosen her throat as he chuckled suggestively at her ear.

“Two can play at that game, honey.”

Abi let out a long, slow breath. She had the entire afternoon with nothing to do but think of Ray and her, naked. It was going to be a very long couple of hours until they met again for dinner. Beside her, Ray pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen. A second later, her phone vibrated in the console.

“I’ve just texted you my address. Remember, six o’clock. Sharp.” He kissed her cheek and opened the car door. In the backseat, Bruce sat up. “Don’t be late, Abi.” He smiled as he backed out of the vehicle.

Abi waved bye and watched as he collected the picnic basket and Bruce. Before she knew it, she sat alone in her car, hidden from the outside world by the foggy windows. Rain still tapped on the roof above, though it was nothing compared to the storm that had forced them to seek shelter.

A shiver raked through her, reminding her she sat in cold, wet clothing. Switching on the ignition, she directed the heating vents toward the windows, her thoughts drifting to Ray as she soaked up the warmth.

The promise in his throaty voice filled her with a sense of excitement that had been missing from her life. Warzones were no place to find one’s thrills and while they often delivered an adrenaline rush, it was rarely pleasant. This feeling that coursed through her veins was reminiscent of a Christmas spent in Switzerland and a Chinese New Year spent in Shanghai. It brought a wonderful sense of future to the forefront and gave Abi a reason to consider where her life was headed.

She’d always thought she’d remain in the armed forces.Once a soldier, always a soldier, but before now, there was nothing to entice her away. Her hand rested on her injured leg, her fingers lightly tracing the obscure pattern of scar tissue. Should she go back to the Army? Could she return if they decided to prohibit her from flying?

Hot tears prickled her eyes. If the thing she loved most of all was taken away from her, what was left?

As the windshield demisted and revealed the outside world, washed clean by the downpours, she wiped at the useless tears. She still had three full months to heal and regain her fitness.

Deciding she wouldn’t wallow in defeat, Abi pulled her seatbelt across her body and shifted the vehicle into drive. She drove away from the park and turned the car northeast, finding the road that wound up through the mountains to theSanctuary. When she pulled into the drive and let the car slowly crawl along the gravel drive, she noticed a large black SUV parked next to the main house. As she passed by, she remembered that Damien drove something similar and wondered if he had come to visit.

Coming to a stop by her cottage, she cut the engine and opened the door. The smell of recent rain filled the cab, bringing with it scents of eucalypt and pine. She looked back toward the SUV, half-expecting, half-hoping to see Damien. Instead, an older woman walked along the drive toward her. Blond hair framed a pretty face and even from this distance, Abi could see the blue eyes seeking her out. The resemblance to Stevie was uncanny.

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