She smiled back, snuggling against him until she obviously realized she’d virtually wrapped herself around him — one arm draped over his ribs, her leg tangled with his. She inhaled, a deep flush coloring her cheeks, but she didn’t jerk away. Instead, she simply shook her head, gently lifting her leg off his as she moved her hand to the side. Not fully off his torso but not hugging it like she had been.
He raised his arm to the back of the sofa, still brushing her shoulders, but not cinched around her. “It’s still early if you want to crash for another hour.”
“Unfortunately, if I go back to sleep, I’ll feel like I got hit by a truck when you wake me, again.” She swept her gaze the length of him. “Looks like I made myself at home.”
“Not complaining. And that was my arm wrapped around your back.”
She chuckled, seemingly reluctant to break that last bit of contact before she drew in a deep breath, pushed to her feet. “Mind if I have a quick shower? I have a feeling ATF might want to do their last sweep of the site, today, and I swear I’m still cold from traipsing around there the past few days.”
“You mean from sleeping in that hide.”
“That, too. It was colder than I’d anticipated.”
He stood, tested out his leg. “Be my guest.” He followed her out, then down the hallway, stopping outside her door before crowding her a bit — loving the way she leaned against the wall without a hint of uncertainty.
He moved in close. “Just answer me one thing. Did you plan the kiss or was it more a spur of the moment kind of thing?”
She froze, a few cracks in her bravado showing through as she darted out her tongue and swept it across her bottom lip. “Kiss?”
“On the couch. Not too long after you’d fallen asleep.” He got impossibly closer. “Ring any bells?”
She stared up at him, swallowed. “I…”
“Guess you really were exhausted.” He eased back, gave her some breathing room. “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll have a quick one after you — just don’t tell Chase.”
“Bodie.”
He stopped. “Rowan.”
“You’re serious? I kissed you while we were…”
He shrugged. “Guess it was another kind of dream.”
A light blush bloomed on her cheeks. “I…” She pushed out a breath. “Not sure, exactly, what I should say. Guess it depends on whether it might be worth repeating.” She smiled. “While I’m awake.”
“Definitely worth repeating. In fact, one the best I’ve had.” He nodded toward her room. “Go shower. We can see what kind of security we’re up against on the body cam, first, get my system working on it, then head for the station. Chat with Greer and the others. See if Special Agent Kaine has made her way in. But I’m holding you to that do-over.”
“As long as you acknowledge, you still owe me a six-pack. I won’t be long. And Bodie…”
He arched a brow.
“It was one hell of a dream.”
Chapter Seven
Bodie stared at the whiteboard, arms crossed, dread churning his gut. He’d pinned photos from Rowan’s case files across the top, notes and questions scribbled beneath. On their own, the incidents seemed benign. Unsettling but not damning. Put together…
They outlined an increasing level of aggression that had culminated with the IED explosion four days ago.
Greer settled in beside him, gaze taking everything in. The former federal agent in her bleeding through the cracks. The part Bodie knew Greer liked to keep locked away.
She tilted her head, studying a few of the sections more intensely before shaking her head. “I see why Rowan was out there. Though, I’ll admit, the bomb was quite an escalation. Can’t help but wonder what they’re hiding.” She walked closer. “Any idea what all the notations and initials mean along the edges of the pages?”
“None. Rowan said she’d walk us all through it after we’d made a few of our own conclusions. Made it sound as if we might think she’s crazy for believing these are all tied together.”
“Oh, they’re linked, though, I can understand why her superiors might be hesitant to make that leap. Between the sheer size of the region and the down time between events, it’s easy to miss the subtle similarities. Could argue we’re seeing a pattern simply because we’re looking for one.”
“Except where the design of all the explosive charges they’ve used is the same.”
