Open Wounds (Harbour Bay #2)(48)

And as much as Donovan was a moody, hard-hearted, temperamental, sometime rule-breaking bitch, she was also one hell of a cop who he respected the hell out of. There were few people he trusted enough to put his life in their hands, and she was one of them.

He held up his hands in surrender. “That’s all. Look, I know she’s your friend and I promise you I’m not out to hurt her.”

Hell, he could be the one that got hurt. Kellie had her demons and if he wasn’t careful she might slip through his fingers. He had no intention of allowing that to happen. Barely an hour since he’d last seen her and he already missed her like crazy. He ran a hand over his whiskered face. It was sad when a man couldn’t stop thinking about a woman for five minutes. His bachelor days were over and he couldn’t even muster up an ounce of regret.

Kellie had better get used to him being around because there was not a damn thing she could do to keep him away. Whatever issues she had, they’d work them out together. He would be there for her through the good and the bad because that’s what people do when they love each other.

He was in love.

Crazy. Stupid. Love.

And he couldn’t say he was sorry.

He’d always known that it would be a special woman to catch and hold his attention and Kellie was everything he wanted and more. He only had to convince her to give them a chance. Despite what he’d said last night, he knew she didn’t believe him. She had baggage but it wouldn’t scare him away. He liked a challenge and getting Kellie to trust in him without constantly having one foot out the door would certainly be that and more.

“Good,” Amelia said. “Because she has been through enough to last three life times. If you hurt her, I swear I will hunt you down and make you pay in pain. Is that understood?”

He raised his eyebrow. “It’s clear.”

They glared at each other for a long while until two sets of footsteps sounded out, moving toward them. They turned in unison as Nick escorted Kellie into the Pig Pen. Darryl’s eyes narrowed as he watched her, dressed in a pair of tight-fitting jeans and a white blouse, laugh at something Nick said.

His body tensed. Jealously hit him hard in the chest as he took in Kellie’s expression and Nick’s close proximity to her. The other man’s shoulder brushed hers as they walked and he could see—feel—the easy friendship there. Darryl may have loved her body all night long, but he and Kellie didn’t share a history like she and Nick did. Darryl’s heart squeezed painfully in his chest as he remembered the morning the day before. Kellie had come looking for Nick and had found him instead. Had his colleague and Kellie slept together? It was common knowledge that Nick didn’t screw around with women he worked with but he wasn’t impervious. Had one of their heated training sessions spilled over into bed? Images of Nick and Kellie naked, their bodies entwined, danced through his head.

As much as he wanted a future with Kellie, he couldn’t force her to feel something. She’d made it clear last night that she wanted nothing more than one night of passion. It was he who’d pushed the issue. Maybe he was a convenient lay. Could he simply step aside and allow her to walk away from him—even if it meant towards Nick?

He liked to think so but he wasn’t sure. Despite his feelings, he wouldn’t fantasise over a future only he wanted. He had his dignity. He had no issues fighting for what he wanted but he wasn’t about to fight for someone who didn’t want him.

Amelia roughly cleared her throat, bringing him back to the present. He frowned at her before his gaze drifted once more to Kellie and Nick. They all stared at him strangely and he wondered what they’d been talking about while he’d been busy contemplating.

“What?”

Nick grinned. “Did you seriously just growl at me?”

Kellie blushed and dropped her head to study her fingernail.

Fuck. Had he?

He ran his fingers through his short hair. There was no coming back from where he was headed. If the possessive growl at Nick for being too close to his woman slipped out without him being aware, how would he be able to let her go if she chose to walk?

Kellie glanced up from beneath her lashes and her gaze caught his. He felt the air in the room get sucked out. His stomach dropped at the sensual heat he saw there. His body reacted instantly.

“No,” he croaked.

Nick appeared unconvinced but let the matter drop.

He seriously had to get a grip on himself. He sank down into his chair and pretended to be busy while he gathered his thoughts.

Amelia’s desk phone rang and she reached over and plucked the handset from its cradle and answered with a perfunctory, “Donovan.”

Darryl’s gaze drifted to Kellie again but she was completely focused on his partner. She was so beautiful it hurt to look at her. Kellie could’ve easily been a model or a movie star. Her blonde hair was pulled off her face and secured in a tight chignon. She wore little makeup. No foundation, just blush and mascara. He would be more than happy to wake up next to her every morning for the rest of his life. She must’ve sensed his stare as her head turned towards him and an elegant eyebrow rose. He winked at her and she smiled, memories of what they’d done together clear on her face.

He was so screwed.

“Dispatch just got a call. A DB was found in the harbour this morning,” Donovan said, interrupting his thoughts. “The floater’s Michael Lambert.”