the same property with you. It’s less than a three-minute walk.”
“Humor me.”
“Because you’re being…a gentleman? Seeing the lady home?”
“You actually think I’m a gentleman?” His words mocked her.
“I think you’re something quite extraordinary.”
“What?”
She looked away. “Your jeans are wet.”
“I’ll wear sweats.” He grabbed a pair. Didn’t bother with a shirt. Odd, because he used to stay covered up almost fanatically. Not wanting anyone to see the scars and stare at him. Not wanting people to ask what happened. Not wanting pity or horror but—
Chloe didn’t care about the scars.
So why the hell should he? And if other people didn’t like them…screw off. Those other people and their reactions didn’t matter. Not like they were Chloe. She mattered. She—
Whoa. Down boy. Slow your roll. It was one bout of crazy-good sex. Settle. Down.
She hurried out of his home. Her steps were silent over the stone pathway. He trailed her, but wasn’t sure what he was supposed to say. Let’s do that again? Over and over until neither of us can move? Did that sound desperate? Or demanding?
Both?
The night was quiet. Still. Hot.
His gaze flickered toward the pool. A smile tugged at his lips when he thought of her pushing him in. Her attack had actually been pretty good. No, better than good. It had been… “Fuck me.”
“Again? Right here?” She spun toward him. “We’re a little close to the house, and Marie is quite the night owl so—”
“You’ve had training.”
“Can you be more specific? Are you talking about sexual training? Because I did once learn the art of the strip tease but it was for a case that I was working.”
He filed that fun tidbit away in his brain under the section for Will Definitely Pull Up Later, and focused—tried to focus—on the matter at hand. “You said you hired me for protection. But you know self-defense moves.”
“I think it is important for every woman to know some basic self-defense. The world we live in is very dangerous.”
He eliminated the distance between them. Seemed to always be doing that. Because I like being close to her too much. “You know more than basic moves.”
She didn’t deny those words. She also didn’t confirm them.
“If you can handle yourself, why do you need a bodyguard?”
“Extra assistance is always valuable. And I need you for more than just bodyguard work. Your medical knowledge has proven quite valuable so far.”
“Bullshit. I get the feeling you can figure out pretty much everything on your own.” He had to be missing something.
“You have skills that I value.” Her head tilted back. Shadows surrounded them, so he couldn’t make out her expression. “After your attack, you picked up all sorts of fun talents. Krav Maga, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Combat Sambo, Kickboxing, the Keysi Fighting Method—”
“It worries me when you know so much about me.”
“It shouldn’t. I have no intention of ever using anything I know against you. Please believe that.”
Okay. So that statement had been odd. Yet for some reason, he did believe her. “And I won’t use anything I learn against you.”
Her lips parted. “Promise?” A whisper.
The air was tense. Her voice had broken just a little with her whisper. “Yes, baby.” His head bent and his lips brushed over hers. “I promise.”
Her fingers curled over his shoulders. She leaned into him. Met his tongue with her own in a careful, sensual caress.
Then she slowly eased back. “What do you think we should do tomorrow? Regarding the case?”
Okay, that was a one-eighty. So much for his hope that they’d be hitting the sheets again.
She was straightening her shoulders. Lifting her chin. Trying to get back to business? She should get that was an impossible task when she stood before him, clad in his shirt and not wearing underwear.
But…perhaps he’d play along. Because there had been a note of vulnerability in her voice that he hadn’t expected. Something that nagged at him.
When she turned and began walking to the main house once more, Joel fell into step beside her. “I think we’re focusing on the present too much.”
“Do you?”
“These vics are all linked by what happened in the past, aren’t they? So why aren’t we looking at that?”
He thought he caught the flash of her smile as she glanced away. Then Chloe said, “I certainly hope the special agent has contacted the old football coach who knew the vics. Surely, he’d have insight to offer.”
“Oh, yes, the coach would know his players.” He paused. “But I’m certain other people would know them, too.”