“What made you change your mind?” I asked, unable to keep the nerves from my voice as I slipped into the smooth leather seats of Mitchell’s car. I fumbled with the seatbelt, my hands refusing to keep steady.
“I didn’t.” Mitchell leaned over. His hand slid over mine and clicked the belt into place. “I just needed to look at you a while longer.”
CHAPTER 20
A Sneak Peek
MITCHELL
The drive to Winona’s place was only a few minutes; Quince Valley was small. But I spent the whole time holding her hand against my lips, moving it only to shift gears before bringing it back. I wasn’t willing to let her go. Plus, I didn’t trust myself. If I let go of her hand, I’d put mine on her thigh. And if I did that, I’d pull her onto my lap. That was dangerous in more than just a car accident kind of way.
When we pulled up to Winona’s house, I should have waited in the car. It would have been easier to leave. But I insisted on walking her to the door. I stood there as she opened her deadbolt, mentally texting Sal to set up a security system installation tomorrow. Now that we’d crossed this threshold, where I knew I’d have to allow myself to obsess over her once again, every moment I wasn’t around her was going to have me tied in knots. The place was too old. Soon, there would be even more hiding spots with scaffolding and painting tarps going up.
She’d given me more shit about the handyman stuff on the way home, and I’d taken it, grinning, exactly where I wantedto be.
“I’d ask you to come in, but I know what you’re going to say,” Winona informed me as she pushed the door open. There was an edge of frustration in her voice. She didn’t like this arrangement. Neither did I. But I knew she’d be glad tomorrow morning, when the wine buzz was gone, and daylight slid sharp and judgmental through her curtains.
“And what am I going to say?” I asked. Despite my intention to leave, I hooked my index finger into the top of her jeans, tugging her toward me. I was frustrated, too. Physically, at least. My hands were itching to touch every part of her. All of me was.
“No, Winona,” Winona mocked. “Not tonight.”
Her expression was so deadpan, I couldn’t help laughing. Loud enough, apparently, to awaken the neighbor, as a light flicked on next door.
Winona sighed as the white-haired woman appeared in her window.
“Was she waiting there?” I whispered.
“Yup.”
The window slammed open. “Miss Chalmers! Quite the racket out here for the middle of the night.”
“Mrs. Moody,” Winona said. “It’s barely ten o’clock. But I do apologize.”
I had to smother my smile. The neighbor was nosy as hell, but once again, I appreciated that Winona had someone so vigilant living next door. A security system had nothing on Mrs. Moody.
“Hello, ma’am,” I said, tipping an imaginary hat.
“And who is this?” The older woman demanded, as if I wasn’t there at all.
“Just a friend,” Winona said.
I smiled politely. “I heard there was a peeping Tom here the other night, so I’m making sure Winona’s safe.”
Mrs. Moody frowned. She glanced out to the street where my car was parked.Busted.
But the woman just frowned harder. “It wasyourcar he stole, was it?”
Winona choked back a laugh. I tugged her closer to me, pressing my thumb into the softness next to her hip. “Yes, ma’am. But don’t worry, it’s all under control now.”
“Is he in jail?” This lady had about as robust an understanding of the justice system as she did cars, which was fortunate right now.
“Yes,” I said somberly. “And it’s a good thing. He’s a very bad man. Did you know he stole Winona’s underthings?”
The woman gasped.
I leaned into Winona’s ear and whispered, “He did very naughty things with them, too.”
Winona sucked in a breath.
