A Profiler's Case for Seduction(31)

“I imagine that’s because Melinda and Andrew didn’t want anyone to know. Andrew is married and he and his wife have three small children.”

“How do you know about this?” he asked. As always, the thought of a new lead to follow shot adrenaline through his body. He’d always assumed that if Melinda was responsible for the murders, then she’d had a male partner...the man who had appeared in the videos to beat her.

It was a devious scheme and he knew few women who had the guts to allow themselves to be slapped across the face, who would abide somebody breaking their arm just to prove an alibi.

“I accidently stumbled on them one night,” Dora said, bringing him back to the here and now. “I’d kept the bookstore open a little later than usual. They were standing beneath a tree and I was too far away to hear what they were saying, but they embraced and kissed long and hard before they parted ways.”

“Did either of them see you?” he asked.

She hesitated and then shook her head. “I don’t think so, but I can’t be sure.”

“Andrew Peterson? And he’s in the history department?” Mark repeated.

Dora nodded, her frown deepening. “It might have been nothing, but if it is something you pursue, I hope you’ll be discreet. I’d hate to see Andrew’s marriage destroyed, because I’m certain Melinda isn’t looking for any kind of a long-term relationship, at least that would be my impression of her,” she quickly added.

“We’ll try to be as discreet as possible, but we are investigating a crime,” he reminded her.

For the next few minutes, they talked about what each had done that day. When they finished their coffees, Mark knew it was time to leave. They both had early mornings the next day and it was after eleven. He grabbed his holster and fastened it back on, then pulled his lightweight jacket on, effectively hiding the weapon.

As she walked with him back through the living room he wondered what her bedroom would look like. He had a feeling it would be a romantic room, with a flowered spread and fragrant candles, the scent of her in every corner.

When they reached her front door he turned to tell her good-night, but instead reached for her, wanting to feel her in his arms one last time before heading back to the motel and his lonely bed.

He thought she might protest, but she came willingly into his embrace, leaning her head into the crook of his neck and once again reminding him of how well they physically fit together.

Desire flared inside him, hot and eager as he’d never felt before. It drove every thought out of his head, something that never happened. He was focused completely on Dora, on the warmth of her curves against him, on her soft breaths that heated the side of his neck.

She stood close enough to him to know that he was aroused, and as she raised her head to look up at him, he took her mouth with his, plundering, exploring. She reciprocated, winding her arms around his neck and pressing more closely against him.

The kiss seemed to last a lifetime and yet wasn’t long enough, would never be long enough. It was she who broke it and stepped back from him, her eyes sparkling overly bright and her breathing coming too quickly.

“I want you, Dora. I haven’t said those words to a woman for a very long time.”

She closed her eyes, as if finding his words almost painful to hear. “I want you, too.” The words were a mere whisper. She looked at him once again. “But I can’t do this, Mark. I don’t want us to become lovers. It will just complicate things between us and make them messy.” She took a step backward, as if needing to physically distance herself from him.

“I don’t want to lose you as a friend,” she continued, her gaze not meeting his. “I know, I’m being selfish. I want to talk to you. I want to spend time with you, but I’m afraid of making love with you. Somehow, someway, that kind of a relationship has always screwed me up and I can’t screw up now...I just can’t.”

“And I don’t want you to,” Mark replied, despite the disappointment that slowly drained out of him, taking with it his desire to possess her intimately.

She glanced up at him, her eyes holding such misery he felt it in his soul. “I want you, but it won’t be long and you’ll be back to your real life in Dallas, and I have my school to finish and a life to begin. Is it too much to ask for your friendship and nothing more?” She bit her bottom lip as she waited for his response.

“Dora, I don’t want to take from you any more than you’re comfortable giving.” He wanted to reach out for her again; instead, he shoved his hands in his jacket pockets. “I like spending time with you, I love seeing your beautiful smile. We can be friends until it’s time for me to leave. We can remain friends after I leave here, if that’s what you want.”