is amazing. I had only seen the outside of it before, but I can tell you did a lot of work on the inside, too. Everything seems fresh and new.”
Yeah, he had practically gutted the house. There might’ve been a few good memories here that he didn’t mind remaining, but for the most part, it had been a major catharsis to get rid of everything that reminded him of his childhood.
“After I moved back here, I started up a small construction business. No major building, just renovating. This house was my office, too, so I wanted it to look nice.”
“What happened to your business?”
“I turned it over to one of my workers. I still help him out from time to time, but being police chief keeps me plenty busy.”
She drew in a deep breath, tightening the material slightly and revealing the sexy, silken body beneath it.
Zach swallowed a groan and patted the pillow beside him, hoping he didn’t look or sound too desperate. “Why don’t you come back to bed?”
“I was thinking of bringing you something to eat.”
At the mention of food, his stomach produced a giant growl reminding him that breakfast had been hours ago. He had skipped lunch because he had been looking for Savannah. “I’ve got some chicken salad in the fridge.”
He was about to throw the sheet off and get out of bed, but she stopped him with “No, stay there. Let me bring it to you.”
Other than in the hospital, which he figured didn’t count, he’d never been served in bed before. Zach dropped his head back to the pillow. “Now, I could get used to that.”
She snorted. “Don’t. My kitchen skills have diminished greatly over the years. Having fully prepared food is what I do best.” She turned to go out of the room and then stopped, shooting him a sultry smile over her shoulder. “By the way, I’m your dessert.”
She disappeared before he could answer back, but his body responded to her words like magic. Arousal surged, tenting the sheet covering him. Zach sighed his contentment. He had her here with him; they’d just made love and would do so again very soon. It was as if his dreams so long in the making were finally coming true.
Where did they go from here? She had a career she loved. Zach had worked hard to attain his position and status here, but it meant nothing without Savannah. How would she feel if he told her he’d move to Nashville if he could be with her? Hell, he still had no idea what he meant to her. There was desire, but was there more? Had she forgiven him for deserting her?
Something else they hadn’t yet talked about was the dead animal on her doorstep. Teenage prank or a threat? If it was a threat, who’d made it? Henson and Clark Dayton swore their innocence, and while their level of crimes was at best juvenile and he had absolutely no use for either of them, a dead animal went lower than he thought even they would stoop.
In the midst of searching for Savannah and being convinced someone had taken her, he had called the DA’s office in Nashville and talked with her boss. There’d been no more threats made against Savannah. The sentencing for the perp she’d put away would take place next month. Garrison didn’t believe the X-Kings had traveled all the way to Midnight to leave a dead animal on her doorstep. Zach hadn’t believed it either but felt the need to double-check. And they would remain on his suspect list until he knew the truth. No one was above suspicion. But if not the X-Kings and not Dayton or Henson, then who? And why?
“Lunch is served.”
He sat up and smoothed out the bed. “Come join me.”
She placed the tray in the middle of the bed and then crawled under the covers with him. Food suddenly no longer seemed an urgent need. He reached for her and she held out her hand to keep him at bay, laughing. “Oh no, we eat our meal and then comes dessert.”
He grinned. “I always thought dessert made for a great appetizer.”
“Nice try, but I think I’ll have more energy if we eat first.”
Since he had specific plans that included expending a hell of a lot of energy, Zach picked up a sandwich and took a giant bite. Munching contentedly, he said, “So you don’t have the chance to cook often. I remember you were once a damn