Read Online In the Shadow of Vengeance by Nancy C. Weeks - Free Book Online
Authors: Nancy C. Weeks
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my face, they don’t. And definitely not
that
word.”
He slammed his hands to his hips. “What word?”
“You know what I’m talking about. It’s offensive and distasteful. Find another way to express yourself in my home or get out.”
A hint of laughter appeared in his eyes. The jerk was laughing at her. She never considered herself a violent person, but it took every ounce of control to keep from slapping that grin right off his stupid face.
The damn man was thick as a brick. If those men beat up a harmless kid like Danny, what would they do to a smartass cop?
“You think your badge makes you invincible? This guy is in a gang, you hardheaded buffoon. He has mean friends, and his friends have meaner friends.”
This time he let out a loud laugh. “Oh, that’s adorable.”
Before she could react, he curled his hand around the nape of her neck and lowered his head, his lips barely touching hers. The laughter was gone, and for some reason, she didn’t yank out of his hold but stood completely still. Her mind screamed to back off, but her curiosity got the best of her. His lips brushed over hers, sending an electric jolt to her toes. The hand at her waist tugged her against him while his lips went back for another taste and then a third. “Damn sweet. You’re worried about me.”
Elizabeth lost all common sense. She yanked him closer and they molded into each other. For such a big man, his lips were surprisingly soft and so gentle. The taste of mint combined with his spicy herbal scent overpowered her senses. A primal need she had forgotten existed took over, and she kissed him back as she clung to him, his shirt fisted in both hands. Her body came alive. He shifted then broke their connection. Reality returned and common sense slammed back into her, taking her breath away.
What was she doing kissing Noah McNeil? She wanted to kick herself all the way back to Nebraska.
“I’m so touched you care, Elizabeth.”
“You kissed me,” she choked out and shoved at his chest. “Why?”
“You kissed me back. It was real sweet, but way too short.” He shifted his weight and bit back a grin. “Is that not allowed in this house either? I think I’m going to need a list.”
“You don’t just go around kissing people, detective.”
“Since we practically made out in the middle of your living room, you really need to call me Noah.”
His husky tone was low, seductive. The heat flushed in her face and worked its way down her body to her core. She edged closer until the sound of footsteps thumped down the stairs. They darted away from each other as Erin bounced off the last step.
“I win. You’re not tearing each other to shreds, but you’re definitely glaring.” She moved past them toward the kitchen. “Danny wants Ben & Jerry’s. I figure that’s okay, right?”
It took a moment to find her voice. “That’s fine. Just don’t leave the dishes in the room.”
That last pint of ice cream was the one thing Elizabeth had looked forward to all afternoon. But Danny’s day trumped hers by miles.
“Mom, you want me to put on the tea kettle?” Erin asked, nodding at the table.
It took a moment to understand what her daughter was talking about. The only treasure she kept when she left Iowa sat in the middle of the dining room table. “Erin, did you get the teapot down when you cleared the table?”
“No. I thought you did.”
A rush of fear hit her in the chest, and she swallowed the shock. If she didn’t move the teapot and Erin didn’t, then how did it get there?
“Mom, what’s wrong? You have the weirdest look on your face.”
Elizabeth shook her head to clear it. “Sorry, I must have gotten it down.” She reached to place it back in the china cabinet, but Noah blocked her hand with his.
“So tea, or no tea?”
“No tea.”
Erin disappeared into the kitchen. Noah stood rod straight, his eyes on the cabinet door. When he began to speak, Elizabeth held up her hand. Erin came back
that
word.”
He slammed his hands to his hips. “What word?”
“You know what I’m talking about. It’s offensive and distasteful. Find another way to express yourself in my home or get out.”
A hint of laughter appeared in his eyes. The jerk was laughing at her. She never considered herself a violent person, but it took every ounce of control to keep from slapping that grin right off his stupid face.
The damn man was thick as a brick. If those men beat up a harmless kid like Danny, what would they do to a smartass cop?
“You think your badge makes you invincible? This guy is in a gang, you hardheaded buffoon. He has mean friends, and his friends have meaner friends.”
This time he let out a loud laugh. “Oh, that’s adorable.”
Before she could react, he curled his hand around the nape of her neck and lowered his head, his lips barely touching hers. The laughter was gone, and for some reason, she didn’t yank out of his hold but stood completely still. Her mind screamed to back off, but her curiosity got the best of her. His lips brushed over hers, sending an electric jolt to her toes. The hand at her waist tugged her against him while his lips went back for another taste and then a third. “Damn sweet. You’re worried about me.”
Elizabeth lost all common sense. She yanked him closer and they molded into each other. For such a big man, his lips were surprisingly soft and so gentle. The taste of mint combined with his spicy herbal scent overpowered her senses. A primal need she had forgotten existed took over, and she kissed him back as she clung to him, his shirt fisted in both hands. Her body came alive. He shifted then broke their connection. Reality returned and common sense slammed back into her, taking her breath away.
What was she doing kissing Noah McNeil? She wanted to kick herself all the way back to Nebraska.
“I’m so touched you care, Elizabeth.”
“You kissed me,” she choked out and shoved at his chest. “Why?”
“You kissed me back. It was real sweet, but way too short.” He shifted his weight and bit back a grin. “Is that not allowed in this house either? I think I’m going to need a list.”
“You don’t just go around kissing people, detective.”
“Since we practically made out in the middle of your living room, you really need to call me Noah.”
His husky tone was low, seductive. The heat flushed in her face and worked its way down her body to her core. She edged closer until the sound of footsteps thumped down the stairs. They darted away from each other as Erin bounced off the last step.
“I win. You’re not tearing each other to shreds, but you’re definitely glaring.” She moved past them toward the kitchen. “Danny wants Ben & Jerry’s. I figure that’s okay, right?”
It took a moment to find her voice. “That’s fine. Just don’t leave the dishes in the room.”
That last pint of ice cream was the one thing Elizabeth had looked forward to all afternoon. But Danny’s day trumped hers by miles.
“Mom, you want me to put on the tea kettle?” Erin asked, nodding at the table.
It took a moment to understand what her daughter was talking about. The only treasure she kept when she left Iowa sat in the middle of the dining room table. “Erin, did you get the teapot down when you cleared the table?”
“No. I thought you did.”
A rush of fear hit her in the chest, and she swallowed the shock. If she didn’t move the teapot and Erin didn’t, then how did it get there?
“Mom, what’s wrong? You have the weirdest look on your face.”
Elizabeth shook her head to clear it. “Sorry, I must have gotten it down.” She reached to place it back in the china cabinet, but Noah blocked her hand with his.
“So tea, or no tea?”
“No tea.”
Erin disappeared into the kitchen. Noah stood rod straight, his eyes on the cabinet door. When he began to speak, Elizabeth held up her hand. Erin came back
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