“I am a grown ass woman. I have been living on my own for years. I can manage to drive home by myself.”
“Good to know. I’m still going to follow you.”
She parted her lips to respond, but then waved a dismissive hand in the air. “I’m not even going to argue. I’m too stuffed from dinner.”
I chuckled, recalling how much she enjoyed her food. After dinner, I ordered the dessert the restaurant was known for—their blueberry pie a la mode. At first, Jodi insisted she was too full to enjoy it, but after that first bite, she was all in.
“That’s what I thought.” I plucked the keys from her hand, satisfied to see she carried a small canister of pepper spray on the keychain. I unlocked and opened the car door before handing them back. “I’m parked over there. Don’t pull out until I flash my lights behind you.”
We’d sat in the restaurant talking and eating for nearly three hours. It was nearing nine o’clock and was dark out. There was no way in hell I was about to let her drive off on her own into the night. Some protective instinct that I’d only reserved for those I was particularly close to overcame me.
I hopped in my truck and pulled out of the parking space, maneuvering until I was behind her. I flashed my lights and waited for her to pull out. As I did, I thought about our conversation over dinner. It hadn’t been my intention, but somehow I’d half forgotten about the case. Instead of the information I’d found out from Sy about her grandfather's health, we talked about my career, her job as a public relations rep in New York, her love of hiking, and spending summers here in central Texas as a child.
It didn’t matter what the conversation was about as long as she was talking. It was more than me liking the sound of her voice, which I did. It was the way her whole face lit up whenever she spoke about something she loved or enjoyed. Her eyes filled with joy when she mentioned camping or fishing with her grandfather. It was evident that she loved him very much. There were also hints of guilt in those pools of hazel she called eyes. Possibly regret for not having known something was off with her grandfather.Or maybe, blame for not visiting more often?I wondered.
As we maneuvered into the long driveway that came to a stop before a medium-sized cabin-style home, I stopped my truck behind hers and climbed out.
Again, I frowned when I didn’t see the light from the porch come on as we approached.
“You need some motion-activated lights for this porch. Probably around the entire house,” I stated. I glanced around the house. If it weren’t for some lighting from the neighbor's yards in the distance, this place would be pitch black.
“I forgot to turn on the porch light before I left. I didn’t anticipate being out so long.” She opened the front door and flicked on a switch, illuminating the porch.
That didn’t make me feel any better. “Motion detection lights are better.”
Frowning, she folded her arms across her chest.
I stepped closer, unbothered by her little attitude.Wait. That’s a lie. Not unbothered. I was turned on by it.
“We didn’t discuss the case much tonight.” I found my way to her hips with my hands.
Her eyes widened as if realizing that we hadn’t talked about the case.
“You said you had information about my grandfather.”
I nodded. “We’ll talk about it when you come to my office tomorrow morning.” I grew silent as I pulled her body into mine. Her hands dropped to my forearms. Her fingers began playing with the hairs on my arms as we stared into one another’s eyes.
It was as if a thick cloud of sexual tension finally decided to open up directly on top of us.
“Are you going to kiss me, Micah?” she whispered.
My cock strained in my jeans. I shook my head. “Kiss you? No. I’m about to taste your lips in a way no man has ever done to you before, and no man will do after. It’ll be far more than a kiss, Jodi.”
Before she could respond or even blink, I dipped my head, capturing her lips with my own. I let my tongue glide across her bottom lip, much in the same way she’d done herself earlier in the night. It didn’t take long for her to open up to me, allowing me to gain entrance and taste the remnants of the dessert we shared. It tasted so much better on her mouth than from the plate. A small groan escaped, and I couldn’t tell if it came from her or me. Either way, it caused every hair on my body to rise.
I had to force myself to pull away from her. When I did, she nearly stumbled forward, and likely would’ve toppled over if I hadn't been holding on to her.
“Damn.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Tomorrow morning at nine. My office,” I stated firmly.
She swallowed and slowly withdrew her hands from my arms. “I’ll be there.”
I jerked my head in the direction of her opened door. She glanced over her shoulder before turning back to me. She didn’t say anything, but there were so many emotions written all over her face, words weren’t needed. She was as fucking confused and awestruck as I was.
I watched as she went inside, slowly closing the door. I didn’t move until I heard the little clicking sound that signaled she locked the door. Only then did I turn and head back to my truck. As I got in, I got the sense that something much big was happening between Jodi and I. It wasn’t this case or the death of her grandfather.
