Page 23 of Keeping Ava

“Look up, please.” I do as she asks, and the turning of a lock follows. Ava opens the door to let me in and as our eyes meet, the tightness around her features softens. “You didn’t have to rush back, Eli. It’s just that I was under the impression that only you and Captain—”

“No one else knows, Ava.”

“He’s right,” Captain says, a little out of breath from behind me. My hands clench at my sides, the effort to not pull her close and lock us away almost maddening. “Your location has been kept a secret from everyone in our precinct working this case. No one outside of myself and Detective Ford should know you’re here.”

My eyes are on hers as he speaks, taking in her body language—ready to step in if she’s afraid of the unknown male moving past us and entering my home. Something I realize rather quickly is unnecessary.

I don’t miss the way she gives him a small smile.

No cowering back. No distrust.

They share a look I can’t decipher, and then those baby blues settle back on mine. “Should we head inside, too?”

“Are you okay?” Without conscious thought, I reach out and take her hand in mine. Give those small fingers a gentle squeeze. “Need anything?”

“You’re here now.” Her voice is a gentle caress. So honest and sweet.

And fuck me if those simple words don’t make me feel a hundred feet tall. It also fortifies my need to keep her safe above all else.

She deserves to know how bad things are.

It’s true, and I hate it.

Hate that the fears she’s lost will be back.

Hate that once we step through my door things will get heavy, so I try to lighten the mood.

I give her a cocky grin and waggle my brows. “Is that your way of saying you trust me? That I’m your knight in shining armor?”

Her response is a roll of the eyes and a quick flick to my forehead. Hard, too. “Don’t let it go to your head, Detective, but I do, and it’s not easy for me to admit either. Especially since I know you’re keeping something from me.”

The smile drops my face. “Why do you say that?”

“Because I watch the news.” The hand still in one of my own shifts as she runs her thumb over my knuckles. “I’m also not blaming you.”

Chapter 8

Ava

He’s hiding something from me.

Has been for the last few days. Since I got here, really.

It’s this pesky little secret that comes to light every time he looks at me. That first glance always gives away his concern—the weight he carries on his shoulders is visible within those seconds before its replaced with want so consuming, I drown in those eyes. A longing that mirrors my own.

It’s also a reminder of why I can’t give in to my own desires.

The last thing I’d ever want is for Elijah to be in danger because his focus is not on what matters: catching Jason. He can’t afford to be distracted, and I can’t let my guard down.

“After you,” Elijah says then, taking my hand in his and turning me toward the door. As soon as I face the entry, Eli’s fingers slip from mine and skim up my arm, then across my back to settle just above the waistline of my pants. Low enough to tempt but still be appropriate.

He gives me a gentle nudge forward, and a shiver rushes up my spine as his pinky extends to caress the area of flesh not covered by my shirt and bottoms.

“Thank you.” It leaves me on a low whisper as goose bumps arise on my arms. Ignoring my attraction to him is getting harder and harder. Nearly impossible.

You can’t. Don’t put him in a position where he can be hurt.

That reminder—my motto—feels like being doused with ice-cold water. It centers me enough that I fake it the best way I know how and step away from his touch. Squaring my shoulders hurts, and so does the loss of that masculine scent of warmth and earth that surrounds him.

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