“Is that a tone of concern in your voice?”
He eyed her as she imagined he’d assess one of his SEALs. “No, it isn’t.”
“You’re so full of bullshit. You nearly had a heart attack when I told you I’d taken a couple bullets.”
Dixie crossed her legs. “I did not. Besides, who wouldn’t have that response?” He looked tired to her. “Why don’t you head home? It’s late and you can finish the outside wiring tomorrow or Saturday.” She shrugged. “Or whenever.”
He sighed and relaxed in the chair. “Stop trying to shove me out the door. If it would help, I’ll apologize.”
She wrinkled her nose, uncertain what the apology was for. “About what?” She didn’t like it when he cemented his gaze on her.
“What happened between us was probably for the best.” He paused. “But we should have talked after our fight. I accept the blame for that.”
Dixie wasn’t sure she wanted to keep rehashing their past. “It wouldn’t have changed anything. You wanted me barefoot and pregnant.”
He leaned his massive shoulders forward, propping his arms on his thighs. “That’s crap. I wanted you naked and in my bed. Had nothing to do with having kids.”
Suddenly Josh’s body language changed from relaxed to alert. He thrust himself to his feet.
“Hit the lights and close the drapes,” he ordered.
She quickly turned off the lamp near the fireplace, dousing the room in darkness. “What is it?”
“Stay here.”
For a big guy, Josh had a light step and moved swiftly. He darted into the kitchen. The back door opened and clicked shut.
Dixie closed the drapes. What had he seen? Shifting the fabric aside with one finger, she peered outside. The streetlight shone onto the sidewalk twenty feet to the right of her front yard. Maybe one of her neighbors walked past, taking their dog out for a last-minute pee.
Josh seemed to grow out of the shadows beside her car. Her driveway was just big enough for two vehicles to park behind one another. He retrieved something from beneath the blade of her windshield wiper.
Another note! Two deliveries in one day.
Dixie opened the front door and stepped onto the porch as Josh crossed the lawn. “He make a personal delivery again?”
Under the porchlight, Josh’s expression concerned her. His eyes gleamed. Not with determination, but rage. He held the piece of paper in his hand.
“What words of wisdom did he leave this time?”
Josh joined her on the porch and yanked her into his arms. His jaw sharpened as if gritting his teeth. Even his rough embrace didn’t stop her arms from wrapping around his neck.
“Is there a good reason for this?” she asked.
His answer swept across her mouth. Light at first, then increasingly deeper. Her pulse ticked wildly as it had this afternoon. The warmth of his hard body brought a long-forgotten ache of need. Josh’s hands spilled onto her ass and lifted her off the ground. Pressed against his chest, she wanted every sexy inch of the man.
Josh carried her through the front door and closed it with his foot. As soon as the click sounded, he placed Dix on her feet.
Confused by the swift change, she asked, “What was that for?” He’d never been this domineering as a teenager.
“For our friend’s viewing pleasure.”
Whatever was on the note had darkened Josh’s character to charcoal. She held out her hand. “Can I see the note?” Josh carried on into the living room, and she followed. “Hey, give me the note.”
He cranked a full stop and turned. Too close on his heels, she crashed into him. Backing up a step, she saw the grimace strained across his mouth.
“You don’t need to read it. Just more garbage from that fucking asshole,” he growled, then headed for the kitchen. When he reached the sink, he started opening cupboards.
“What are you looking for?”
“A sandwich bag. Something like that.”
If this continued, she’d have to buy the family pack. Dix pulled a box of freezer bags out of the upper cabinet next to the fridge. Josh laid the note down and she glanced at the scribble.
When you dream tonight, think of me. I’m going to fuck you hard till your cream coats my cock and I cum inside you.
“How poetic,” she drawled.
Josh whisked the note into the makeshift evidence bag and pressed the seam to seal the contents. “Yeah, he’s a real poet laureate.
“I can’t stop wondering how many times he’s brushed by me and I didn’t know. The thought creeps me out.”
Josh paced the kitchen. With his long stride, it didn’t take more