Heâd put the episode behind him. Was completely on board with the program. He and Tricia were ships passing in the night. So it was turning out to be a longer night than heâd figured, they were still just passing.
She owed him nothing. And he wanted nothing except the moments she was with him.
Lying in bed on Saturday night, staring at the shapes of moonlight and dark gray shadows on the ceiling, he willed himself to let it go.
God, it was hot. Kicking off the covers he lay there, nude and exposed. But it wasnât the physical exposure that had him feeling so raw.
Arms beneath his head, he closed his eyes. Told himself to rest, something eleven years on the department had taught him to do on command. He instantly saw a vision of Triciaâlying on the beach, bleeding. In the first run-through sheâd been mugged. Her clothes were torn, that bag sheâd sewn and been so proud of was gone, she was bruised, but otherwise all right. She heard Taylor call out to her and opened her eyes, focusing. A small smile spread over her face as she reached out a handâ¦.
With Taylor on one hip, he bent to pull her up and suddenly it was scenario two. She was lying on the beach again, but it was hours later. Taylor was with Joe Valentineâs wifeânot that heâd ever been with a sitter, as Tricia was one of those moms whoâd yet to trust her firstborn to anyone elseâs care.
Except for him.
Which said a lot.
Just as his heart started to settle, the vision was back. The guys were all out with him, looking for her, but he was the one who found her. Nude. Injured. Bleeding.
He couldnât stand the thought of someone doing that to her. Of her experiencing such degradation and pain. He started to cry.
Eyes open, Scott concentrated on the ceiling again. It was tangible. Real. And Tricia was breathing beside him.
He had to stop this. Had to care less. He just wasnât sure how to go about doing that.
Turning, he faced the closet several feet from the bed. The closet where her meager collection of clothes hung side by side with his uniform pants and dress shirts.
She was hiding something from him. Heâd always known that. So why was it beginning to matter so much? Why now?
Returning to his back, Scottâs mind wandered over the past decade and a half. Heâd experienced a lot of hell in those years. And was still standing. He was a survivor. He wasâ
âWhatâs wrong?â
Her soft voice was both a blast of cold air and a warm soothing breeze. He needed her comfortâand she was intruding where he couldnât let her be.
âNothing.â
âYouâre not sleeping.â
âJust hot.â
âScott McCall, Iâve been in this bed with you when it was a hundred degrees outside and the air conditioner was broken and you were still asleep the minute your head hit the pillow.â
He turned his head, studying the shadows of her face in the moonlit night.
âWhen you moved in here, we promised no questions.â
She didnât look away. âI know. Iâm sorry. Iâve just felt a distance in you all day and figured Iâd make it easy on you.â
He frowned. âMake what easy on me?â
âYouâre getting ready to tell me itâs time to end things. And I understand. Youâre probably right. Iâll start looking for a place for Taylor and me in the morning.â
She could walk out on him just like that? If so, heâd made more of a mistake than heâd realized. Heâd thought their enjoyment of each other, at least, was mutual. Heâd thought that when they eventually parted it would be with regret on both sides.
âIâm really sorry about today,â she continued, licking her lips as though they were too dry. âI never shouldâve run off and left you with Taylor, forcing you to be responsible for him.â
âYou didnât force anything. As long as heâs in
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