Page 96

She still had on a shirt.At least, Naomi thought she did.Yes, yes, she did.Shirt, check.
Body-quaking orgasm?Check, check.
He still wore his t-shirt, too.And his jeans, mostly.Her legs were locked around his hips, and he was lodged inside of her.
“That was…” Naomi licked her lips.“Probably the best apology I’ve ever had in my life.”
Laughter boomed from him.Deep and warm and real.
And the cold spaces deep inside?The spaces that she’d thought might never be filled?The ones that lurked in the hidden places of her heart…
They started to warm.
“Sweetheart…” He leaned down and lightly kissed her lips.“I can apologize all day long.”
She was the one to laugh then.Against his mouth.To feel the warmth spread inside of her as she laughed and held him.Her thoughts were scattered.Hopeful.Don’t use me.Don’t lie to me.Let this be real.Let us be real.
“But how about we take this inside?”Eb suggested with a wide smile.One that had his dimple winking at her.
Going in was probably a great plan.She’d also never, ever be able to look at his Impala the same way.
Carefully, he withdrew.He lowered Naomi until her feet touched the floor of the garage.He ditched the condom.Tossed it into the trash and straightened his own clothes.With tender hands, he helped her to dress.His fingers twined with hers as they headed out of the garage.
They passed Henry.A Henry who sat near the exterior of the garage, with his paws over his eyes.
“I think we embarrassed him,” Eb noted.
She felt heat burn her cheeks.
“Better get used to me being around her, buddy,” Eb warned her dog.“I don’t plan on disappearing anytime soon.
Naomi’s steps stumbled.Did he mean those words?No, he couldn’t.This wasn’t for keeps.This was just—attraction.Lust.It was?—
“I believe you, Naomi,” Eb said.
The words pulled her eyes to him.Naomi found his gaze locked straight on her.
“I believe you,” Eb repeated.
Those words sank into her.Poured through her.
“So after I fuck you at least twice more, how about we head out and hunt down the killer?”
Her heart raced.“Twice more?”
“Trying to make the apology good for you.”But no humor lined his face now.He stopped right near the back door of the safe house.“I won’t lie to you.Not ever again.Ask me anything.I’ll give you the truth, no matter how dark or brutal.No matter if I think the truth will make you run from me, I’ll give it to you.”
She was almost afraid to ask the questions that swirled in her head.
“I’m gonna be on your side, Naomi.”
“Why?”
His free hand lifted.Tucked a lock of hair behind her ear.“Because I believe you.”
Her head turned.Brushing her lips against his palm felt like the most natural thing in the world.And, maybe it was crazy, but a part of her really, really hoped that one day, he’d tell her that he wanted to be at her side…
Because he loved her.