me. Consider it fixed,” she said.
“How?”
While the question hung in the air, Inspector Lilly jumped in.
“Excuse me, your Grace. I should be getting back to HQ.”
Shannon walked with him to his car, glad of the chance to talk with him privately.
“You actually had hold of his Grace’s hand,” he gasped. “You kissed him. He kissed you. I can’t believe it.”
“It was only a peck on the cheek. Do you think he likes me? Anyway Guv, you’re definitely up for the match on Sunday, OK?”
“Of course. It will be a great honor. And yes, I think he likes you.”
“You’ll bring your family I hope.”
“Well, that would be up to the earl....”
“Nah, I’ll tell him they’re coming and that’s that. And can you get the vehicle garage to sort me out some wheels?”
The inspector shook his head but smiled warmly at her.
“Yes m’lady,” he said.
“And can you get me into the post-mortem examination?”
“It wouldn’t be normal but I’ll see what I can do.
“Cheers Guv, you’re a gent.”
He started the engine.
“I can’t believe you had hold of his Grace’s hand. And now he’s in there cleaning up.”
“He’s as sweet as you, Guv,” she said, kissing her fingertips and touching them to his cheek.
She found Spencer in the lounge brushing crumbs from the sofa into a dustpan. He was wearing his normal style of formal white shirt, the neck open and the long sleeves rolled up. He looked up at her. She could feel the warmth of his dark eyes on her face. She felt her heart pump a little harder.
“Thank you, I’m sorry I’m so bloody cheeky,” she said.
He smiled. A warm surge ran through her belly. She squeezed her thighs together a little to catch the awareness of her pleasure. He straightened up to his full height. He was big, hard and broad in front of her. Whatever her personal space was, he was in it. She remembered how it had felt to hold his waist and rest her head against his chest. She had only just met him yet everything seemed so natural. She wondered if she could live without ever feeling this sexy joy of his presence again.
“Um ... Shannon.”
“Um ... Spencer.”
“You know what happened last time we were together,” he began.
“No, I can’t remember. Show me,” she teased.
“That would be impossible. You’re in full police uniform.”
“I can soon fix that,” she said pouting her lips and undoing the top button of her blouse.
“That’s not what I meant. Oh dear—look, it was wonderful—that’s what I wanted to say. Now there’s been this awful business and all I was thinking about was you.”
It was wrong of her to tease him. He was a sincere and serious man. She respected that. She’d only known him a few days yet everything seemed to be flowing as if these were the moments that had already been written for her. She wanted to hold back but knew no reason why she should. Every portion of time has the same value. Why the hell should life have waiting days?
“I might have been thinking about you. I could feel guilty about that—but I don’t,” she said.
“It’s a cliché, but I’ve not met anyone like you before.”
“You’re my first 11th earl you know. You’ll have to be gentle with me.’
He held out his arms from his sides, his palms open and facing her.
“I don’t know what I’m trying to express exactly, but I want to express it just to you.”
“Good job I know then,” she said, stepping forward, raising her lips, and fixing her eyes on his. He reached out for her cheek with his powerful but gentle hand. His fingers folded just a little behind her neck. She closed her eyes as the warmth of his touch and the closeness of his body molded into her. Now she was screaming inside for his kiss. Their lips brushed, then united in a joy of fold and touch. Her mind flew to some senseless place of blooms and physical release. She was naked of possession, without care for anything. His arms were holding her. His body
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