Page 88 of Criminally Yours

Was it time to do the thing she always told her clients to do? Sometimes, you have to reassess and readjust. She’d spent so long seeing what couldn’t be, she hadn’t searched for what could.

“I needed a new screensaver,” he said as she turned and pressed her lips to his.

His hands paused long enough to drop his phone into his lap and push her glasses on her head. He cupped her face with both hands and licked the seam of her lips. She murmured formore, and he took advantage of her open mouth and slid his tongue in.

His kiss was soft and his touch gentle.

She scooted closer to wrap her arms around his neck.

He hummed against her mouth. He tasted of sugary goodness and smelt of the warm spice she’d imagined against her skin.

Where their previous kiss was fire and passion, this was a promise of more. He growled against her mouth as he threaded his hands through her soft waves. Her hand slid up his back under his Henley.

He matched her tentative touches, not pushing her too far. Her fingers trembled against his skin, her nails scratching slightly. Each time she skimmed his skin, he murmured noises of encouragement.

Slowly, they eased apart. He pressed his forehead against hers as she closed her eyes, too frightened to witness the regret across his face.

“That was the kiss I’ve waited a lifetime for.” His voice rumbled.

Her brow furrowed as she opened her eyes. “But we kissed in the lake.”

He pressed her palm to his lips and brushed her skin. “But this kiss was like two friends who might have a future.”

“Strike, there’s something I need to tell you,” she said, turning away but keeping her grip on his hand.

“About your family?”

She shook her head. “About intimacy and why I’m not sure I can be the woman you want.”

“You already are.”

They sat side by side as water lapped the beach. It was warmer, and people filled little spaces on the sand.

“As your friend,” he stuttered on the word friend, “weshould stay here and enjoy the sun. But as your bodyguard, we need to return to the house.”

They stood and took turns brushing sand off each other’s bottoms. His hands lingered on hers, which made her stomach flush. She spanked his heartily.

“If I weren’t doing my best not to draw attention to us, I’d throw you over my shoulder for that,” he growled.

“Maybe you’ll have to do it when we’re in the house,” she replied, striding to the path and winking at him over her shoulder.

“Don’t tempt me.”

She wiggled her bum, and he ran up behind her, tickling her hips before grabbing her hand. She clung to him.

Maybe he was a robot to everyone else, but to her, he was her first and only love.

She wanted to ditch her baggage and make him her future, too.

CHAPTER 38

Strike

Flirting and finally laying his feelings out was fun and more of a relief than he’d imagined, but there was something behind Millie’s eyes when she smiled.

As they returned to the house, he contemplated the hints of what she’d said about intimacy. There was another way to show her he was trustworthy.

They waved to Joyce as they stepped into the house. He checked the camera feed before giving Millie a tour, showing her the panic room and the escape routes, but she kept her distance from him.