Open Wounds (Harbour Bay #2)(36)
“Harbour Bay’s not so bad. Discounting the serial killer and Dick Coleani, of course, but of all the places in the world, it’s home, and I’d never want it any other way.”
Darryl gave her a onceover that warmed her from the inside out, the heat in his gaze enough to enflame her. “I can certainly see the appeal.”
She blushed and turned away. The harbour’s salty breeze washed over her, the bright beam from the nearby lighthouse glowed through the darkness. She glanced back, uncertainty creeping up her spine.
She hated being out in the open, vulnerable to attack. There were so many shadows where a person could hide in the parking lot. She felt herself slip into panic mode. She gripped her keys harder, the serrated edges of the metal digging into her palm as she watched the distance grow between her and the building housing Harbour Bay’s LAC. Bright yellow lights shined through the windows where the night shift were hard at work.
The elongated L-shaped light mud brown, four-storey building was a hideous piece of architecture. Once a convict barrack, it had been renovated in the seventies to accommodate the growing police presence in Harbour Bay, and today it was the second largest Local Area Command in NSW.
A stone memorial, a tribute to Harbour Bay’s officers who’d fallen in the line of duty stood in the courtyard of the L which housed the entrance to the building. The grounds surrounding the LAC were lush and well maintained. During the day, many admired the vibrant coloured pansies planted in the garden beds that drew attention away from the building behind them.
She was relieved by Darryl’s presence. It was nice to know she wasn’t alone in the dark. That he would protect her, just as he’d done earlier under the rapid gunfire. She shivered at the memory and knew she hadn’t come to grips with the fear she’d felt at that moment. Hours later, she still rode the adrenaline high although it slowly ebbing and she knew she would crash soon enough. Hopefully, no one would be around to witness her meltdown.
Kellie stopped at her white 2010 Ford Focus sedan. Small droplets of water remained on the roof and windshield. Kellie pressed the button on her key fob. Her indicator lights flashed as she unlocked her car. She opened the car door and threw her purse onto the passenger seat before turning to face Darryl.
“Thank you for walking me. I appreciate it…and the company.”
Darryl nodded, his dark gaze watching her. “After a day like today it’s smart to be vigilant.”
Gunfire. Cries. Glass shattering.
Kellie shivered at the memory. Her gaze drifted to his lips. A lifeline as she felt herself begin to spin out of control, the past threatening to swamp her. His lips were long and thin. Sensual. What would it be like to taste him? Would once be enough to sate her? Or would she become so addicted to him that she wouldn’t be able to think straight? She mentally shook her head. Her mind was already scattered.
Standing so close to him, she could feel the heat from his body. His reassuring presence empowered her, making her stronger even when her knees wanted to buckle. Or was that because of him? Darryl Hill was hazardous to her mental health. And probably her heart, too, if she let him. He had the ability to shatter her if she wasn’t careful, if she allowed the walls around her to fall. But it was tempting, and she wasn’t sure she could ignore it.
“Can I ask you something?”
Darryl rested his hip on the side of her car as he crossed his arms over his broad chest. “Sure. Fire away.”
She glanced away as she gathered the courage to ask the question that had been tormenting her. “You and Mia—you’re just partners?”
Darryl frowned. “Yeah, what else would we be?”
“Amelia’s an attractive woman and you’re a good looking guy. You spend your days together,” she said slowly. “Something could have formed and spilled over into the night.”
Darryl unfolded himself from his lazy position and stood to his full height. She tilted her head so that she could keep looking him in the eye.
“I spend all day with Doyle and Matthews too. Are you going to suggest we also get it on?”
Kellie backpedalled. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s fine if you two had or have a personal relationship.”
However, the very idea of Mia—or any woman—sharing this man’s bed caused jealousy to rear its ugly head. She’d never been the possessive type, but Darryl proved she didn’t know everything about her own identity.
He searched her face and she wondered what he saw there. Hopefully not the raw desire she felt.
“Donovan’s a great woman. Feisty, loyal, a good cop and an even better partner…but there’s no way in hell I would sleep with her. For one, she doesn’t appeal to me that way, and I’m not about to ruin a good friendship just for a roll in the sack. Secondly, I doubt I’d survive the night without getting handed my balls in the morning.”
Relief flooded her. “What about other women? Are you currently involved with anyone?”
Darryl stepped closer, invading her personal space. Her heart hammered painfully in her chest, and her breath caught in her throat. He was a scant inch away from touching her and her body quivered. She swallowed hard and suddenly her breath returned in quick, short puffs.
She held his gaze. His eyes glittered in the dark as he noted her reaction. She wet her dry lips and his expression turned hungry—no, starving. She had never seen that look on a man’s face before. She felt lightheaded.