The Gathering Dusk (Killer Instinct 0.5)(7)

She sat down on the bar stool near her kitchen counter. “Do you want some wine, Blake?” Now she glanced at him.

“Looks like I interrupted,” he muttered. “Sorry.” His expression was guarded.

Cameron slapped him on the back. “I think you do deserve some wine. After all, you helped to save the girl today, too. What a noble thing to do. True blue.” His head cocked as he studied Blake. “Are you the heroic sort? I guess you must be...since you’re an FBI agent and all.”

“Cameron,” Samantha warned. “Trust me, he doesn’t want to be profiled.”

Cameron laughed. “Tried that, did you?”

Blake’s attention shifted to Cameron. “You’re a profiler, too?”

“Oh, good Lord, no. I’m a professor at Georgetown.” He shrugged. “But my PhD is in psychology so I guess I do know a few things about the twisted paths that minds can take.” He smiled. “Samantha and I shared that passion, you see. We always like to know what makes people tick.”

“Do you now...” Not really a question from Blake.

But Cameron nodded. “Our minds are interesting. So complex. Take Samantha, for example. I know the way she thinks. Her first kill as an FBI agent. It wouldn’t have been easy for her. She would have blamed herself. Would have wanted to punish herself. Why didn’t she save George Farris? Why didn’t she aim for his shoulder or his leg? In that split second, why didn’t she make another choice?”

“You aren’t helping,” Blake growled.

Samantha’s stomach felt hollow. Why didn’t I?

Cameron blinked. “Samantha had to protect herself. Self-preservation is one of the strongest human motivators out there.”

She could hear the clock ticking again. The tension in the room was uncomfortable. Too high. Too thick.

“Samantha hasn’t mentioned your name to me,” Blake said suddenly.

Cameron’s eyes tightened, just the faintest bit. “Then you must not know her very well yet.”

Hell. This mess was the last thing she needed. “I’m tired,” Samantha said, rising from the bar stool. I will kick both of their asses out. After her day, she wasn’t in the mood to deal with testosterone overload. “Thanks for the wine, Cameron, but I’m really done for the night.”

He nodded. “Understandable.” He walked to her and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead. “If you need me, just call.”

Right. “Thanks.”

“I can see myself out.”

He always did.

Cameron gave a little nod toward Blake. “Agent...interesting to meet you. I’m sure our paths will cross again.”

“Count on it,” Blake said, the words almost a warning. He stood near the counter, just a few feet away from Samantha. He showed no sign of moving.

But Cameron left. He strode toward the door, even locked it behind him as he left.

Her breath whispered out. “It’s been a long day...” Samantha began.

“Yeah, I know.” His expression wasn’t as hard. No more anger. Just... Blake. “My place is two streets over. I came by because I wanted, I needed to see for myself that you were okay.”

“I’m a lot tougher than I look,” Samantha said. “Promise.”

“I have no doubt about that. I was the one who was worried.”

“You don’t need to be.”

He moved closer to her, a gliding, stalking movement. Her shoulders tensed.

“You were involved with him.”

“My...you cut right to the chase, don’t you?” But then she waved that away. “My personal life really shouldn’t—”

“It’s in the eyes. The way a man looks at a woman he’s known intimately. The way he wants her.” Now his smile was mocking. “Trust me, it’s something other guys see.”

“Cameron and I aren’t involved that way, not any longer.” Not that she had to tell him this. But, well, just so they were clear. “He’s my friend. And he’s also a very good sounding board for me. When I have crazy theories, Cameron gets them.”

“But he doesn’t get you.”

Her eyes narrowed on him. “There a reason you’re asking these questions?”

His hand lifted, as if he wanted to touch her. His fingers were long and strong and she tensed.

Then Blake dropped his hand. “You’re my partner. I care about you. I want you happy.”

Happy. Now that was an interesting word. She tried to remember the last time she’d been truly happy.

“Maybe I shouldn’t have come here tonight.” He rolled back his shoulders. “Didn’t mean to cross any lines.”

“Didn’t you?” she whispered.

His thick lashes lowered. “I don’t think I’ve ever met a woman quite like you.”

His response surprised a laugh out of her. After everything that had happened that day, Samantha was surprised she could still laugh. “Is that good or bad?”

His lips twisted. “Could be both.” Then his lashes lifted and he was staring into her eyes. So much emotion seemed to burn in his gaze.

She found herself holding her breath.

Blake lifted his hand. “Partners?”

Her hand slid against his. His fingers curled around hers and held. “I think we’ve already established that.” Why did her voice have to sound so husky? That wasn’t what she’d intended.