“Let’s hope I didn’t burn the chicken.”
Straightening her top and buttoning her pants, she responded, “For that, I’ll give you a pass.”
His laugh drifted her way as she headed back in the apartment on wobbly legs. The potatoes needed to be taken out also. Would he give her a pass too if they were overcooked?
Luckily, they weren’t. They filled their plates then sat on the balcony in the wicker chairs. Scott had opened a bottle of wine and poured them each a glass.
“I’m not sure I can look at this balcony the same again. I’m getting excited just remembering what wedid out here.”
After taking a sip of her wine, she blew him a kiss. “You mean we christened the place? You’ve never done it out here before?”
“I’ve never done it anywhere in my apartment before. I’ve only lived here for three years and I told you the last few have been a bit light in the romance department. Before that it was at someoneelse’s place.”
He’d never had sex with anyone here before. As she’d lain in bed with him the last few nights, she’d wondered how many women had also shared it with him. She told herself she wasn’t jealous. She’d had her share of boyfriends and didn’t expect him to be upset about them. But it had kind of bothered her, and she wasn’t sure why.
After finishing the meal and cleaning up the dishes, they settled on the couch in the living room and Scott surfed through the channels.
“In the mood for anything particular?”
Shifting closer to him, she shook her head. “No explosions please.”
Laughing, he clicked the remote a few more times, settled on a romantic comedy, and then tossed the device on the coffee table. His feet lifted to rest there too and he settled his arm around her shoulder. They’d done this a few times this week, and she found she enjoyed having the company. Her other single friends wanted to go barhopping or clubbing, and Callie had Jonathan to take care of and now Jack. Which usually left her home reading or watching TV alone.
“Did you and Jack meet with that guy who worked for Cabrini?”
“Pascucci, yeah. Yesterday. He confirmed the building had been one of Cabrini’s. Said it was used for stolen goods and other supplies. He didn’t know why anyone would want to kill for it, though.”
Disappointment seeped through her. “So it was a dead end? Damn.”
“Actually no, he gave us the name of someone who was responsible for the warehouse for a while. We paid him a visit with afew questions.”
“And…?” Scooting on to her knees, she faced him. “You can’t stop there.”
“What? You don’t like a little teasing?”
“You want teasing, do you?” Slipping her hand down to his legs, she skimmed it up and over his now growing arousal.
“You’re insatiable. The guy we saw told us the same as Pascucci. It was used for stolen goods. But he also said they were told in no uncertain terms to stay out ofthe basement.”
“The basement? Have you checked it out yet?”
Shrugging, he said, “I took a quick look when we got back yesterday but there’s so much debris and trash down there I couldn’t see anything out of the ordinary. I didn’t want to leave you alone too long.”
“Don’t you be using me as an excuse. We need to figure out what the hell is going on.”
“I agree,” he said and pushed her back on the couch his face inches from hers. “So, princess, feel like going dumpster diving with me tomorrow?”
“Hell, yes.”
He pressed a kiss to her nose.“It’s a date.”
Pulling his head closer, she replied, “Oh, Scott, you always take me to thenicest places.”
* * * *
“I’m here. Let’s go.”
Scott turned as Heather entered the first floor of the mill building. Faded jeans and a concert T-shirt hugged her figure while a ratty pair of work boots graced her feet. Damn, she looked cute. Her hair was in two braids that ended right in the middle of her plump breasts.Get your eyes back in your head and stop staring.
