Touch of Red (Tracers #12)(74)
“That’s okay.”
She gaped at him. “How is that okay?”
“I told you, I’m a patient man.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.
Brooke stared at him, speechless. In all her life, no one had ever shown her such caring, such tenderness. Not Matt, not Joshua—no one.
Until this instant, she’d considered tenderness a weakness. It was something that made her roll her eyes when she saw it in movies. But right now, in this moment with Sean, she realized it was an expression of strength. He was so confident in himself—and, even more amazingly, in her. He was so determined to wait for her to get over her fears and let this thing between them take its natural course. But she knew all too well that the course could result in hurt and disappointment for both of them.
Where did he get this faith in her? In them?
“What are you thinking?”
“I’m thinking . . . that I wish I could be more like you. More trusting.”
He stroked his fingers down her hip and gently cupped his hand under her thigh to pull her lower on the bed. He hovered over her, watching her in the dimness.
He smiled slightly. “Stop worrying so much.”
“I can’t.”
“Try.”
“I knew you were faking it earlier.”
“Faking what?”
“I knew you wanted more than ‘keep it casual’ and ‘no pressure.’?”
“Okay, honestly? You’re right. What I wanted was for you to give me a chance.”
“I feel like I’m a mess right now, Sean. Something’s wrong with me and I’m numb.”
He traced his fingertips over her breast and down to her hip, and a warm shiver went through her. “Not everything’s numb.”
“I’m not talking about sex.”
“I am.” He glided his hand up her body, brushing his thumb over her nipple. “I found your weakness and I plan to take full advantage.” He lowered his head to her breast, and she felt the hot pull of his mouth as his hand slid between her legs.
“Not fair. You play dirty.”
He groaned against her skin. “Dirty? You have no idea.” He moved her thighs apart and settled between her legs, pressing his erection against her. “The first time I saw you at a crime scene, you were in dirty coveralls and work boots and you had soot all over your face, and I was hard for hours.”
“Yeah, right.”
“I was.”
“That was that house-fire scene. That was months ago.”
“I know.”
“You’ve really been thinking about—”
“Yes, Brooke. I’ve been thinking about us for months, wishing we could do what we’re doing right now. And not just this—although I could do this all night. But there are so many things I want to do with you, if you’d give us a chance.”
She felt a pinch in her chest. This wasn’t just sex to him. He wanted a real relationship. And he was steadily chipping away at the protective shell she’d grown around her naturally hopeful heart.
Why was she letting him do this to her? She felt a renewed sense of panic. She wasn’t prepared to go on this roller-coaster ride again.
“Stop.” He reached up and smoothed the crease between her brows. “I can tell you’re thinking again.”
“I am.”
“I told you, I’m patient. We don’t have to figure all this out now.”
“I can’t help it! I analyze things, Sean. That’s what I do.”
“I have an idea.”
“What?”
He kissed her forehead, then her mouth, then her neck. “How about less thinking and more kissing? Think we could try that?”
“We could try.”
CHAPTER 22
Sean was already late for work, but he had a stop to make, and it couldn’t wait.
It had only taken one phone call for Sean to learn that Matt Jorgensen belonged to a local gym popular with cops and firefighters. Pulling into the parking lot now, Sean immediately spotted the black F-250. He slid into a nearby space, checked his watch, and got out to wait.
Sean no longer believed Jorgensen might be responsible for the drive-by shooting. Not only did his vehicle not match, but Sean’s contact in the Burr County sheriff’s department had told him Jorgensen had been on duty that night. It wasn’t an airtight alibi, but combined with what Brooke had said and what Sean had dug up on his own, it made him believe Jorgensen wasn’t a fit for the crime. Sean had done some subtle poking around, and the picture he was getting of Brooke’s ex was more consistent with that of a hotheaded asshole than a cold-blooded killer.
Jorgensen emerged from the gym. Right on time. It was exactly one hour since the desk clerk inside had called to give Sean the heads-up. Jorgensen was distracted with his phone, and Sean took the time to look him over. The man was bigger than he had expected and pumped up from his workout, and Sean began to second-guess his decision to do this alone. He’d thought about bringing Ric or Jasper, but this move was strategic. It wasn’t about muscle.
Even so, Sean knew there was a chance he was about to get his nose broken.
Jorgensen glanced up and noticed Sean watching him. His gaze went to Sean’s badge and gun, but there was no recognition or even suspicion—which was good news because that meant he hadn’t been following Brooke’s every move.