Midnight Exposure (Midnight #1)(61)

“Yeah. Thanks.” The bright bathroom light illuminated purple smudges of exhaustion under her eyes and the pallor of her smooth skin. The oversized sweatshirt hung off one pale shoulder, the exposed patch of skin so smooth, so soft he could taste it. She’d smell like his soap, from her shower that morning. His body imagined how her long legs would encircle his waist as he sank into her tight heat. A yearning that was more than physical took root in his gut, pulled him toward her like a divining rod to an underground stream. It took every reserve of Reed’s willpower to turn around and step toward the bedroom.

Behind him, the faucet squeaked. The shower started up with a rush. Water splattered on tile.

Reed glanced over his shoulder.

Jayne hugged her arms. His eyes locked with hers. Need swam in their turquoise depths. Reed was dragged under by the wave of desire that flooded him. Blood surged to his groin and hunger unfurled deep in his chest. His need to hold her, to mark her, to become part of her, was primitive, as demanding as the need to take his next breath.

He couldn’t walk away. His feet turned toward her, controlled by instinct.

He stepped closer. Jayne’s pupils widened. Her body leaned toward him, just a fraction of an inch, but enough to tell him he wouldn’t be denied. He wanted one night with her, one night to be needed and wanted, one night to feel complete.



Jayne’s heart stammered. Reed’s eyes darkened as something was unleashed inside of them. In one swift stride he was in front of her. An inch of emptiness still separated them, but the heat from his body crossed the space. He reached out and cupped her face with both hands. Callused fingertips brushed her cheek. A shiver of anticipation shot down Jayne’s spine. Regret followed right behind it. She shouldn’t be here.

Her very presence was putting Reed’s life in jeopardy.

She pulled back. “I shouldn’t be here.”

Reed held on. His hands tensed on her jaw. “You could’ve been in that fire. Or he could’ve caught up with you before me or Nathan.”

He kissed the corner of her mouth.

“Reed—”

He silenced her with a finger on her lips. “Please don’t go off on your own again. I couldn’t take it if something happened to you.” His eyes speared hers. “Promise me.”

Jayne shook her head.

He bent over her. His lips brushed against her mouth, just a tease, a taste of what was to come. His mouth trailed along the line of her jaw. As her brain protested, her head tilted back to give him more room. Teeth scraped up the side of her neck and Jayne quivered. Hot breath caressed her ear.

“Promise me, Jayne.”

“I can’t.” Hot tears gathered in her eyes. “I shouldn’t even be here. Hugh died because of me. Just me being here is dangerous for you and Scott. You were in that fire. You could’ve died right along with Hugh.”

He leaned back to meet her eyes. “But I didn’t, and Scott’s not here. So far, your attacker hasn’t taken many risks. He’s only stalked you when you were alone. He probably set that fire when the municipal building was empty overnight. I doubt he’ll come after you while you’re with me.”

“But what if he does? Scott needs you.”

“I was a cop, Jayne. I can protect us both. What would Scott think of me if I abandoned you? His dad’s a coward? Willing to let a woman face a stalker alone to save his own skin?”

Anger heated her cheeks. She jerked her chin out of his hands and stepped away. “This guy’s dangerous. He killed Hugh and probably those college boys, too.”

“I know.” Reed’s hands settled on her shoulders. He turned her to face him. His thumbs caressed her collarbones, the calluses rough against her tender skin. “That’s why I’m not letting you go until I know you’re safe. Really, Jayne, even if you leave, I have to find out who he is. I have to stop him before he hurts someone else.”

He inched closer. His mouth pressed against her lips. At the contact, heat blazed through Jayne’s belly. The kiss was too much to resist. He was too much to resist. Something gave inside of her. She opened her mouth and let his tongue sweep in, hot and demanding.

A burning hand settled on her lower back and pulled her against the hard length of his body. Jayne’s hands unclenched, releasing the wool of his sweater from her grasp. Her hands splayed on the firm muscles of his chest. Blood pulsed in her temples, rushed in her ears, and gathered hot between her legs. Unyielding need built like a symphony’s crescendo. She hooked a leg around his thigh, hauled him closer, and pressed her center against the ridge in his jeans. His answering groan made her increase the sweet pressure.

“Wait.” Reed’s request was barely a whisper. His cheek rested against her forehead. “I can’t do this. I need to show you something first.”

Jayne froze. “Right now? Seriously?”

“Right now.” Reed stepped back.

Jayne lowered her foot to the floor. “But…”

“It’ll just take a minute. And it’s important.” After turning off the shower, he took her hand in his and pulled her through the house toward the back door. “Put on your coat and boots.”

“OK.”

Reed tugged her across the yard to his workshop. Jayne was surprised steam didn’t rise off her skin as the cold hit her heated face. Inside, he continued through the first room and opened the door to the storage room. Except it wasn’t used for storage. In the center, on a long, low workbench, lay a section of raw wood that resembled a log stripped of its bark. Slender, at least seven feet long, and roughly shaped like a person. A woman. Black dots marked features not yet carved into the pale wood.