Page 41 of Island Homecoming

“Wow,” she whispered, winding one arm around his neck. “That’s a welcome a girl could get used to.”

He’d gladly make it a daily ritual if she’d let him. Telling himself to play it cool, he said, “Same goes.”

Her fast grin set his heart racing. He lifted her hair, checking the wound above her eyebrow. “All good?”

“Like it never happened.” She patted his chest. “Must’ve been your first aid magic.”

He grunted. “Congratulations are in order?” He nuzzled her neck, not quite ready to let her go. For the evening. Or ever. He released her, knowing better than to cling too much, too soon.

“Yes!” She bounced a little on her toes. “My lawyers got those bogus charges in Georgia dropped.” She swiped her palms together. “All done. Apparently, the abusive husband came to his senses.” She sighed softly. “Or, more likely, someone convinced him he couldn’t blame his wife’s frequent injuries on accidents.”

“Maybe she was willing to open up about his abuse in front of a judge,” he suggested.

Her smile returned. “For her sake, let’s hope that’s exactly it.”

“Come on.” He led her back to the kitchen. “I have a surprise for you.” He presented her with the platter of fried green tomatoes.

“Nash!” Her delight thrilled him. “You didn’t!”

“I did.” He felt like a superhero. “Go on, help yourself. Do you want to start with champagne?

She pressed a hand to her stomach. “Water first. Please.”

“Sure thing.” He filled a glass and added a slice of lemon. While she nibbled on the appetizer, he turned on the oven and prepared the cast iron skillet to sear the steak and veggies.

He caught a whiff of the sunshine in her hair as walked over and peeked at the pan. “Supervising, Jess?”

“Flattered mostly. If that’s your famous flank steak”

“I don’t know how famous it is, but yeah, that’s what’s for dinner.”

He was caught then, mesmerized by her smile, as soft and warm as a summer sunrise. One second things were easy and the next—now—every beat of his heart felt more significant than the last. He wanted to tell her, but this couldn’t be the right time. Somehow, he kept all those ricocheting emotions out of his voice. “Don’t tell me you became a vegetarian somewhere between your phone call and now.”

“Hmm?” Her distraction gave him a respite, renewing his curiosity about that call. “Oh. Of course not.” She wrinkled her nose. “Although I might be able to live on these.” She nipped another fried green tomato from the tray. “Nina can’t stand that you’re so good in the kitchen. She thinks you’re better than she is.”

His sister trumped him at a lot of other things. Like remembering romantic touches like the flowers. Had it been that simple gesture that softened things between him and Jess? There were moments when it felt that way. “We all have our talents.”

“Very true.” Jess’s throaty chuckle left him prickly with the need to touch her.

Once he had everything in the oven, he turned to her. “Does the case getting dropped affect your work with Caldwell?”

“Not really. I’ll stay on as part of the special assignment until we’re done. After that near miss the other night, I’m sure the leadership is trying to figure out how to draw out the bigger fish.”

He studied her. “You’d rather draw out the contact on the island.”

“That too,” she admitted, her gaze dropping to her water glass. “Best if we can do both.”

And then what? She’d waltz away? He didn’t like the idea of her leaving again. Of her going back to her police department in Key West. None of that lined up with the hope beating in his chest. Every hour he had with her, he wanted more.

“You don’t look happy.” She walked over, but she didn’t touch him.

He needed the contact, the simple assurance that she was still here. He caught her hand and brought it to his lips. As long as she was here, he had a chance to keep her here, with him, for good. “Just my thinking face,” he fibbed with a careless shrug. He placed his next kiss on her mouth, keeping it light. For now. “I’m happy the charges were dropped. That’s a huge relief for you.”

“It is. Without that hanging over my head, all of the career options are open again.” Her brow furrowed into a pensive frown.

“That’s a good thing.”

“Right.” Her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes.

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