entire body as I stare into her eyes.
“You’re incredible,” I whisper, leaning forward to press against her, even though we’re still locked together in the most romantic and odd pairing I’ve ever seen. “You’re a fucking miracle.”
Grace
“Couldn’t we have taken your truck?” I grumble as I dismount his motorcycle. It’s kind of hard to get on and off one of those beasts in a pencil skirt without showing off a little more than people need to see. And considering we’re right outside the coffee shop I go to every morning, and being that coffee shop is right next to my office, I’d rather not show off anything I don’t normally show.
Eugene just grins as he helps me unhook the helmet. Once he’s done, he leans in close and whispers, “Maybe I like the way you feel against me on my bike.”
Goose bumps race along my arms, and my belly dips a little. “That so?”
“What can I say? I’m a gentleman.”
“Well, Mr. Gentleman, you’ve delivered me safely to work. I think I can handle it the rest of the way.”
“What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t make sure you got safely inside?”
“The kind of gentleman I shouldn’t be seen with, considering I’m working a case with two children in your care.”
He knows I’m right. This morning, I’d argued with him until I was blue in my face over how I didn’t need him to escort me to work. But when my car wouldn’t start, I had no other choice. One unscheduled day off may have gone overlooked by my boss, but two in a row, he’d be suspicious. I had to make an appearance.
“Go get your coffee, and when you’re inside your building, I’ll leave.”
“Does that caveman thing work on all the women in your life?”
“I think my kitchen table would attest that it does.” He smiles again, his gaze never leaving mine as he pulls me closer to him. His lips graze against my ear. “Can’t wait to show you what I can do in my bed.”
My face instantly flushes. We’re in public, and he talks about us sleeping together again like it’s no big deal. It’s a huge deal. I’m effectively sleeping with the enemy, and he wants to flaunt that fact right here on the street. Pushing away from him gently, I frown.
“What time do you get off?” The way he says that simple phrase makes it sound dirty.
“I should be done around five.”
“I’ll meet you here.”
“That won’t work,” I inform him. “I have a date tonight.”
Jealousy hardens his features. “A date?”
“I guess you could come with me.”
“You want me to come with you on this date?”
“Trust me,” I say with a grin. “Oh, and bring the truck. We’ll have to grab him dinner before we go.”
His frown turns into a laugh, making my heart soar. “You have strange dates.”
I shrug. “When you meet Greg, you’ll understand.”
Chuckling, he pats my behind. “Just get your coffee.”
I smile all the way into the coffee shop. Thankfully, at this hour, the lines are generally short, and today is no exception. My normal barista, Katie, stands behind the counter and waves when she spots me coming through the door. Her short blonde bob is now a bright shade of green.
“Good morning,” she greets me. “The usual?”
“Of course. And can you throw in three apple turnovers?” The kids were still in bed when we left, and a breakfast surprise may go a long way in helping Kevin’s mistrust in me. I hope so, anyway.
“You got it.”
Fluttering around the small space, she deposits a bag alongside my coffee on the counter. Using the gift card Eric had given me for my birthday last month, I pay Katie and give her a three-dollar tip. Then, grabbing my purchases, I head over to the side counter for a couple of packets of sweetener. That’s when an uneasy feeling rushes over me.
Turning, I freeze when I see a strange, disheveled, angry man moving toward me.
“Where are my kids?” he growls.
“I’m sorry?” I ask, trying to keep my voice even. My eyes dart around the store, but besides the baristas busy behind the counter, I’m all alone with him. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Bullshit,” he spits. And I mean, he literally spits. Everything about him is quaking with rage. “I want my fucking kids back.”
I try to peer over his shoulder to see if Eugene has a clear view of me, but the man snaps his fingers just an inch away from my