Weapon drawn, he paces in front of me. “Here’s the other scenario. The second set of footsteps belong to your accomplice.”
My stomach tightens. “I don’t understand. Why are you so hell-bent on makingmethe villain?”
“I, uh…” As he drags a hand through his beard, a flush creeps up his cheeks.
Reminded of the Marine I winked at, this wave of desire hits me, no doubt amplified by drugs and adrenaline.
Pupils huge, his breath slows. Clearly, I’m not the only one caught in this electric, unspoken charge between us.
Rising, I take one slow, deliberate step, before cupping his delightfully soft facial hairs. “I don’t lie, leatherneck.”
“God help me, I believe you.” His Adam’s apple bobs, his tongue flicks over his lower lip, and…
Ding, ding, ding. It’s a knockout.
Maybe it’s Stockholm Syndrome. Perhaps it’s Disney Damsel in Distress Disorder. Or maybe it’s because I’ve wanted to kiss this man for years.
Up on my toes, I press my mouth to his. At first, it’s soft, but soon the heat between us rises to a boil. His left hand cups my rear and tugs me tight, grinding his desire into my abs. When I moan,his other arm reaches to hold me in place so he can take his tongue deeper.
Too soon we part, his face as stunned as mine.
My head swims. For a moment, the fog clears. “What did you say? Sorry, I’m having a hard time focusing.”
By the time I glance up again, he has his phone to his ear. “Give me a little more time. She’s coming down from whatever she was on. Huh? …Not sure. She says someone shot her with an animal dart… Yeah, a nasty hole in her upper arm… No, I don’t want to hand her over until she’s coherent… Okay… Thanks. I will. What? Where? Oh, crap. Yeah, I will. Bye.”
From his grim face, I gather I’m in deep shit. “Talking to your FBI buddy, yes?”
He nods, slowly shaking his head. “Indeed. The State Police found your gear.”
Despite his tone, a girl can hope. “That’s helpful, right?”
“Not for you. They found your weapon. Recently fired. Caliber matches the bullet in your ex’s brain.”
“Oh, for chrissakes.” Ice rushes through my veins. “This can’t be happening.”
Voice shaking, my nails dig into his arm. “Listen, I don't want to sound like a broken record, but I did not kill Brett. The real murderer is trying to frame me.”
Chapter 13
Kade
I want to believe her, I do, but I’ve seen too many people fooled by liars. Tears in their eyes they weep, while hiding the blood on their hands.
The goddamn kiss is to blame for my temporary insanity. The second our lips touched, my brain flatlined. She melted into me like she belonged there. Like we weren’t standing in the middle of the woods with a target on our backs, her ex buried nearby.
I should’ve stopped it. Now I’m wondering how much of this is chemistry, and how much is me being a freakin' idiot.
Whether victim or suspect, she’s off limits.
She sways slightly, blinking up at me. Still pale, pupils blown. Whatever she took is clouding her judgment.
At least she has an excuse.
“I’m going to find him. Clear my name.” She stumbles off — like I haven’t spent a whole week busting my hump to find her, dammit.
Jaw tensed, I twist her shoulders toward me. “You’re doing no such thing. You’re running on fumes. I promise you—once we get down the mountain, I will catch him.”
When she sways, it takes a shit load of restraint not to shake some sense into her. “Flygirl, you need to sit.”
