She shoved her phone in her pocket and looked at Ian. “I’m going to pack a bag and stay with Reed until this is all over.”
“I heard.” He moved closer and took her hands.
She wished they weren’t still trembling, but they shook like a terrified puppy facing a giant bear.
“I wish you could stay at my place.” His gaze was dark with concern. “I want to be the one to make sure you’re safe, not fob it off on someone else.”
“The Veritas Center is secure, and Reed will be there.”
“I know it’s the right place for you. I just want to be there too.”
“You could be, I suppose. Or at least we could mention it to Reed. He might appreciate an extra person. But honestly, they have guys on the Veritas team who have the skills to do the job too. Not to mention the Byrds might want to remain on duty.”
“Yeah, there’s no need for my help.” He released her hands and, without a word, drew her into his arms. “I hope I’m the only one who can provide this kind of comfort when you’re worried.”
She rested her head on his shoulder and slid her arms around his trim waist. Reed could give her a hug. As could Sierra. Butthishug? This cocooning of Ian’s arms around her body?Thishug erased her fear and replaced it with yearning for a relationship with this wonderful man.
The warmth of his body seeped into hers, and she wasn’t sure where she started and he ended. They seemed melded in unity and purpose. And more. So much more.
She shouldn’t do this, but she needed something good in her life. And her feelings for Ian and his for her were good. And pure. She needed pure when evil in the name of Tirone Olivo, who would be willing to kill a baby to get what he wanted, surrounded them and made everything scary and ugly.
She leaned back and traced a finger along Ian’s cheek, enjoying touching the contour of his rugged face. She stroked his wide jaw with a peppering of whiskers and ran her finger over his full bottom lip.
His eyes darkened and filled with passion. “You’d better stop that unless you plan to kiss me again.”
“I plan to kiss you again.” She rested her hands on his broad shoulders and rose up on her tiptoes, but before she could lift her lips to his, he lowered his head and pressed his against hers.
The earlier kiss had been soft and gentle, but this one spoke to the depth of his feelings. She’d thought since Junior’s attack that such a kiss might scare her, but it didn’t. Not at all. The exact opposite. She slid her hand up to clutch the thickness of his hair and draw him even closer.
Yes. Yes. Yes. She wanted this wonderful, extraordinary man in her life. Not just today. Not just for this kiss. But forever.
Problem was, she didn’t know what she was going to do about it.
While Malone packed, Ian knocked on the robin’s egg blue door of the house across the street. Malone didn’t have a security camera outside her place, but Ian had spotted one on the garage of the neighbor across the street, and he hoped it caught the person who’d delivered the package.
He got out his ID, noting how his hand shook. Not enough that another person could tell. But he could. He didn’t know if it was from the package and warning that told them that a vile man like Olivo had inserted himself in the mix, or if it was leftover emotion after Malone’s kiss.
There was something new. Fresh, in her kiss. Almost like a promise. He was thinking about a future with her, but should he be? He still didn’t have his head on straight. And kissing her like he had instead of walking away was tantamount to leading her on. She didn’t deserve that from him. He would need to have a talk with her later.
But when? Once she was behind the iron fortress of the Veritas Center, how much would he see her? When would he be alone with her again? They would always require an escort while in the building due to security, but would Reed let her outside? Would she want to leave?
Because if Ian knew anything right then, he knew she was freaked out big time. Otherwise, she would never have suggested she stay with Reed. He suspected the woman he was coming to know would try to maintain her independence and argue about leaving her home until she won.
The door opened, and a middle-aged woman with curly hair, round glasses, and a frumpy look stared at him. “If you’re selling something, I’m not buying. No matter what it is.”
He held up his ID. “Detective Ian Blair, Portland Police Bureau.”
“Oh.” She raised her hand to clutch her cardigan sweater in the same color as the door. “Is something wrong? My husband. This isn’t about him, it is? He’s not hurt, is he?” Her words rushed out faster than he could get a breath to answer.
“No, ma’am.”
Her shoulders sagged at the news. “I’m Beatrice Paulson. I watch a lot of detective shows, and I know how you detectives like to get those details.”
“You’re right about that, ma’am. This’s about your neighbor across the street.”
“Sweet Malone?” She glanced around him at Malone’s house. “What happened?”
“She had a suspicious package delivered.”
