“I’m fine on my own.” The stubborn streak in me was a mile wide and just as deep, but that bloom of pleasure couldn’t be stopped. Secretly, I wanted to say yes.
“I know you are.” He sent me a smirk. “But it doesn’t mean I can’t be helpful,” he countered. “Those are two different things. I’m useful. You’ll see.”
Something about the way he watched me felt too perceptive, as if he could already see the pieces of my life that I’d tried so hard to hold together after Jane. I needed to add in some ground rules if he was going to insist. “Fine, but this is not going to turn into anything complicated,” I said, trying to sound firm, but knowing that I was failing miserably by the smirk on his face. “Last night was fun, but it isn’t going to be anything else.”
“Alright,” he replied, his tone even. “Sure,” he chuckled easily in a way that irked me already. “Understood.” He gave me a solemn nod that seemed very unserious. He gave Fish a nod, too. “Right, Fish? Fish agrees too.” His mouth curved at the corner. “I will give you nothing but clarity.” Fish made a slight huffing sound, which felt too close to agreement. Kipp reached for his boots.
I stared at him. “Just because you are with OSP doesn’t make this your case.”
“Nope,” he said. “It’s not. But, I know how to keep you safe without getting in your way.”
I opened my mouth to argue, then realized he had just described exactly what I needed, which made this entire situation even more complicated. And if he had details I didn’t know about, then I definitely needed to hear them. Maybe he knew more about Galloway or some of the volunteers.
“I do not need a partner.” Somehow, being a brat was second nature around Kipp whenever the topic of my job came up.
“Yes,” he said, “you do.” He waited without pushing, his expression open and steady, which was the exact version of him I was most vulnerable to. He strapped on his holster, which was unbelievably hot. Damn. “But that isn’t what I am. I’ll just be riding along.”
I took a long, slow breath. “Fine. But this stays professional.”
“Sure. Professional,” he repeated with a nod, but I could tell that neither of us meant it. He definitely didn’t with the hot looks he was sending my way, making my nipples tighten. Thank God for padded bras.
“And temporary.” The words were out before I could call them back. I didn’t really mean them. The last thing I wanted was temporary with him.
“As temporary as you want it to be,” he agreed, although something in his eyes made me suspect he already understood just how impossible those rules were going to be for both of us. “I’ll see you in a little bit after your meeting.” He tugged me close for a kiss. “I don’t regret anything that happened last night, just so you know. That was just to seal the deal.”
He gave me a smile before he was out the door, leaving me frowning after him with my fingers touching my mouth. Huh. It was going to be hard to keep my heart in check.
CHAPTER 26
Kipp
I smiled as I looked at the review that was left. It was my first five-star rating, and it made me feel lights-out. Granted, it was nothing compared to last night when Hattie took me to heaven.
Being with her made me feel like everything was amplified — heightened. I was curious about everything involving her, but watching her climax was next level, and the way she rode me felt almost spiritual. Sure, a lot of guys thought everything was like that when they came, but that wasn’t what I was talking about. Getting off was one thing, but being inside Hattie, touching her skin … I couldn’t even put into words how moved I felt. To me, she was that first flower in springtime or that scent of the rain in the summer that brushed over you. Everything that reminded you of the good in the world, combined with the best feelings, in all the right places.
The inner voice that called me an idiot for not wearing a condom surfaced, but I pushed it aside. I wouldn’t take it back. When I told her that it would be okay, I truly meant it. Whatever happened, it would be OK.
Running through Cabin Three, I cleaned it vigorously and dumped the linens into the lodge’s washing machines, all while watching the clock, just as Rhodes called. Fuck, through everything that had happened over the last few days, and Hattie and I growing closer, I’d totally forgotten about asking for the background check. Now it was coming back to bite me.
Guilt washed over me as I responded. “Hey, man.”
“I have your info.”
The few encounters I’d had with Rhodes (I could count them on one hand) had all shown me that he was no bullshit all the time, and he wasbusy.
“It’ll still cost you those six cabins,” he warned.
“Yeah, yeah. Don’t get your panties in a twist, asshole. I saw your reservation already and comped it for your little craft retreat.”
He snorted. “Sure. Craft retreat. You’re cute.” I could hear shuffling on the line. “So Josephine Harriet Harper. She goes by Hattie. Thirty-two years old. Had an identical twin, Jane Cannon, married to Nolan Cannon, who is a real fuck face. Sister disappeared six and a half yearsago on the East Coast. The body was never found, but Hattie had huge suspicions that Jane’s husband killed her. Probably right, but she could never make anything stick. Hattie left her high-powered marketing job, sold a bunch of stuff, and started podcasting. Originally, she was all about making her sister’s case more high-profile so it would get more attention, but eventually she started taking on other cases. She earns enough to cover gas and stuff, but any profit goes toward domestic violence shelters and advocacy. She doesn’t draw a salary,” he paused. “All this information I’ll send to your inbox. Most of her other living expenses are drawn from investments she had from her previous job or side jobs she takes.”
My eyes shifted to where I knew Hattie was, and even though I had already adjusted what I thought I knew about her, this confirmed it.
Her parents divorced right after Jane disappeared. Mother has had some live-in boyfriends, but nothing serious. She and Hattie text and call, but Hattie doesn’t visit her, and she doesn’t call her father.” Rhodes continued through the information, and I was a little taken aback by the depth he’d gone. “She has a small group she works with. They all think they’re invisible, but they’re not. One was a little trickier. I’m still working on him, but the others are all clean for your purposes. She has a friend who is a second-grade teacher. No threat there.”
I wasn’t sure what to say about all that. So she had trauma in her background, like everyone else. Loss and death. Everyone did, I wasn’t sure why my insides were twisting back and forth like they were in a fucked up spin cycle. I closed my eyes against the heat and sunshine, listening to Rhodes drone on a little about her best friend before I perked back up.
“This Finch case she’s on, that’s an interesting one. I think she’s on to something,” his voice was pensive.
