“That’s what your scared of?”
“I’m freaking the fuck out.”
He tilted her chin to get her to look at him. “Bree. I will fight for this. I will fight to be in every compartment you create. But I need to know you’re going to fight too.”
She nodded a few times and sniffed. “I’ll try.”
“That’s all I’m asking.” He kissed her. Sweet. Gentle. Undemanding while sealing their promise to each other.
He raised his head and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear. “Your place or mine?”
“Dogs,” she said.
“Yours. I’ll follow you.” He stepped back to give her room to open the door and get in. He knocked on the window and motioned for her to roll it down. “If I’m not right behind you, wait for me before you go in the house.”
“Okay.”
He stuck his head in the window and kissed her. He jogged around the corner to his truck and started it before he had the door closed. She was still in the parking spot when he drove down the street. She backed out when he stopped a few cars behind. He watched his rear and side view mirrors on the drive to her house, unable to shake the unease that had settled over him when he had left her at her car. He wanted answers. He wanted Bree safe.
Jase parked beside Bree minutes after she turned her car off. She sent Denise a text to let her know she was okay. Denise texted back that she was on her way and Jase could just deal with the company. Bree didn’t think Jase would mind. It would also save her from having to tell the story twice.
She’d been with her second-to-last patient when Cindy told her she had an urgent call. One of the techs had finished the treatment for her. She’d surprised when it was Tim on the phone. He’d shared only that the investigators wanted her to go to the station to make an official statement. When she got there and learned there had been another murder, she immediately called her grandmother for the name and number of their lawyer. Not that she had anything to hide, but she’d learned to always have a lawyer present when dealing with any official business. Up to this point, that had applied only to issues with the foundation.
She hadn’t been expecting Gran to show up with the main partner of the top law firm in the area. The detectives had definitely sat up and taken notice. She’d gotten the feeling they were much more solicitous to her because of her grandmother and the lawyer.
She finished her text to Denise and got out of her car. Jase met her at the hood of her car and took her hand. He led her to the side entrance. She unlocked the door and the dogs trotted in to greet them. Jase bent and gave them each a scratch on the head.
“Stay here while I check the house.”
“Jase—”
He grabbed her hips. “Please. Stay here.”
Bree sighed. After not calling to tell him she was at the station, she was willing to let him have this. “Fine, but I’m letting the dogs out.” She followed him into the kitchen. The deadbolt on the patio doors was still locked.
“All clear?” she asked when he came back into the kitchen.
“Yes. What did they ask at the station? Do you know who was killed?”
“Slow down, Perry Mason. Denise is coming over and she’s going to have the same questions you do. I’d rather do this once.”
“How long until she gets here?” He pulled a glass from the cabinet.
Bree opened the refrigerator and grabbed the pitcher of tea. “Not long enough for us to have sex.”
“Why, Dr. Marks. What a dirty mind you have.” He wiggled his eyebrows and smirked. “That wasn’t what I was asking at all, but now that you bring it up—” he sauntered over “—do we have time to make out?” She walked backward until she hit the counter.
“Maybe.” She set the pitcher down. “Depends on your definition of making out.”
“How many definitions are there?” He pushed close, resting his hands on the counter behind her. His body pressed against hers from chest down to her knees. He bent his head into the crook of her neck and scraped his teeth along her sensitive flesh.
She ran her hands up his chest. “Well, there’s middle school making out.”
“What’s that?”
“My hands on your shoulders.” She rested her hands on his shoulders, the muscles bunching and moving under her fingers. “Your hands on my hips. Mouths closed and just our lips touch.”
He licked the spot on her neck. “Nope. Don’t like that one at all. What’s next?”
