“No. But that’s not all that surprising. There’s so much wilderness around here that no one ever visits, hers probably isn’t the only vehicle that’s been ditched and never found.” Gathering the rolls, I stood. “You ready?”
“Yep.” Scooting back her chair, she got up before returning it to where we found it earlier, then met me at the reference desk, and we walked out.
“So, do you want to come back to my house for research?” I glanced at our vehicles, then at her. I wasn’t sure it was the best idea, considering the way I wanted to reach for her every time I looked at her pretty face, but I couldn’t help but hope she would say yes. Forget the sexual attraction; I just wanted to spend more time in her presence.
“Um…” Her voice trailed off, and she turned her gaze toward the road, a small wrinkle forming between her eyebrows. “Sure. But like I said, I can’t stay long. Maybe we can come up with a few points to dig into separately when we have time? You know, split the workload?”
I nodded. “Sounds good. Do you want to just follow me?”
“Yes.” As soon as the word left her mouth, she took a step toward the curb.
I followed. “I’ll go slow so I don’t lose you.”
A wide smile split her face. “Text me your address. Just in case.”
“Will do.” Crossing the lot, I got into my truck, sending her a quick text as I started the engine. After buckling up and checking to make sure she was ready to go, I pulled onto the street.
Nerves strummed in my gut, twisting my insides. Which, honestly, boggled my mind. Women never made me nervous. I knew I was handsome and charming. My ego was relatively healthy—but not overblown.
But it felt like the stakes were higher with Mina. I didn’t want to misstep and ruin any chance I had with her.
Shifting in my seat, I resolved to be on my best behavior. No crazy, overt innuendo or flirting. But not so little she didn’t think I was interested. Somehow, I had to find the balance.
I glanced in my rearview mirror, seeing her car behind me. My blood heated once more, knowing she was following me home.
Blowing out a breath, I tamped down the need.
Balance, I reminded myself.
CHAPTER 12
Mina
When we left the library, following Luke home so we could continue our search felt like a great idea. I wanted to know more about the women we’d identified. We were on to something. I could feel it.
But now, as I stepped out of my car and looked up at the two-story gray house with its black shutters and porch railings, I couldn’t help but think about what else might happen once we were inside. All evening, I’d been exceedingly conscious of his magnetic male presence sitting so close while we combed through thirty-year-old articles. The public setting had helped keep my inner hussy at bay, but we’d be alone now.
I was in some serious trouble.
Resisting him in public wasn’t terribly difficult. I just reminded myself there were others present.
But alone? In his house? Where there was a bed just feet away? This was a fully caffeinated latte after dinner bad idea with a side of extra syrup.
Could I stop myself from following him up the steps to the front door?
Not on my life.
Keys jingled as he unlocked the door and let us inside.
“You can set your bag there if you want.” He tossed his keys onto an entry table, then pointed at it.
I took the folded-up notes from my purse, then set my bag next to his keys. He led me down the short hallway, past a bathroom and a study, to an open-plan room that spanned the rear of the house.
My eyes roamed over the space, taking in the built-in bookshelves flanking a wall-mounted television, a gray couch and chair sitting opposite. To my left, a modern kitchen took up a third of the long room. The soft gray cabinets added a warm touch to the off-white walls and thin-veined, white quartz counters. Under my feet, blonde wood stretched, dotted with rugs in varying shades of gray and cream.
In front of me was a six-person oak dining table. Beyond it, a sliding glass door led to a deck that overlooked a backyard rimmed by pine trees. Through the boughs, I could just make out the neighbors’ houses.
The effect was an interior space that was soothing and inviting, not cold, like one would first think with the lack of color inside.
