was ready to go down that road again. Nor was she interested in casual sex anymore. And honest to God, that acknowledgement had surprised her more than anything.
“JJ?”
“Hmm?”
“If you lean in any more…” He was warning her.
Oh, fuck it. She had to know if he was a good kisser. That could make or break any sort of relationship, could it not?
Reaching up, she slid her hand behind his neck, pulled him down toward her until their lips met. He was true to his word. He didn’t make the first move, allowing her lips to brush softly over his. And when she licked his lower lip, his mouth opened, his tongue gliding against hers, all bets were off.
Baz was a man who knew how to kiss. He allowed her to lead, but only for a few seconds. He took control at that point, but there was nothing overbearing about the way he did it. His hand curled around her head, holding her gently as their heads tilted, the kiss deepening, tongues stroking, lips melding. JJ knew she’d never been kissed like that before. She couldn’t imagine what he’d be like in bed.
The kiss lingered for long minutes until the familiar sounds of the bar returned—music, chatter, laughter—causing JJ to reluctantly pull back.
He looked as dazed as she felt, and that was oddly soothing. She definitely didn’t want to be the only one who’d been so affected by a kiss.
“Dinner,” he urged.
“I’m still not gonna sleep with you,” she said, her voice husky from their kiss.
“I’m gonna hold you to that,” he said easily, taking her hand and linking their fingers.
“What does that mean?”
“It means there’s no rush, JJ. We’ve got all the time in the world.”
Lovely. She’d found the one man she wanted to jump and he was willing to hold out.
Figured.
Chapter Nineteen
Four days later
Tuesday, October 27, 2020
When you were summoned by the governor, it wasn’t an option to decline.
And while Brantley was more than willing to check in with the man who was currently signing his paychecks, he wasn’t keen on meeting with him for the reasons he suspected this was about.
The only concession was that the meeting was taking place in the governor’s office, rather than his home. For that Brantley was grateful. A business setting was far easier to deal with.
Now, as he waited for the governor to finish the call he was on according to his secretary, he was thinking about the lunch meeting he would be heading to after this. The one he’d requested so that he could have some time to talk to Baz, get a feel for what the man had in mind for his future at the APD. Brantley still wasn’t entirely sure he was going to make Baz an offer to join the task force, but he was definitely leaning in that direction. It helped that Reese and JJ had both agreed he would be a good asset to the team. Brantley was inclined to agree.
“Governor Greenwood will see you now,” the secretary stated as she stood and headed toward his office door.
Brantley thanked her kindly as he stepped into the space. Governor Greenwood was standing at the windows, staring at the city laid out before him.
“How’s Corinne?” Brantley asked, joining him.
“She’s hanging in there. My daughter … she’s tough.”
“That she is.”
“She’ll pull through this in time.”
Brantley had figured as much. “And Lauren? How’s she doing?”
Governor Greenwood turned to look at him. “She’s currently under suicide watch. Needless to say, she’s distraught.”
“Does she know what was done to her?”
“No. She’s still in denial. According to her, Bill is her husband and he loves her.”
Brantley remembered the way Lauren had referred to him as Daddy. He had to think the man had gotten so many of her wires crossed over the years. It would be a wonder if she came through this at all. But Brantley prayed she did. It was the only acceptable outcome.
“She’s got dedicated therapists though. And she’s got Corinne. My daughter’s insisting she’ll be beside Lauren every step of the way.”
That was good. Everyone needed someone and with what Lauren was going through, she would need all the friends and family she could get.
The governor moved over to his desk, so Brantley followed, taking a seat across from him.
“I saw the report,” the governor noted. “Detective Buchanan had it sent over.”
The report the governor was referring to was the one that included a list of women William Dugan had confessed to kidnapping and murdering over the years.
According to the