Page 38 of Artful Deceit

A surge of sentimentality hit him. “I’m going to miss the quiet,” he said against her hair. “It’s so peaceful here.”

She let out a hum of acknowledgement, but said nothing.

“I was thinking about what we’ll do when I’m back inLondon,” he said, eyes fixed on the hypnotic twinkle of moonlight on waves.

She tensed in his arms. “Don’t talk about that now.”

“We should make a plan, though, for when we’ll see each other next. I’ll need some time to settle back into my routines, so I thought you could visit me first…”

“Flynn,” she sighed. “You’re ruining the moment.”

“I just think it’ll be easier if we have a solid plan.”

“Maybe. But let’s talk about it nearer the time.”

“There isn’t that much time…” His words trailed off when she turned and kissed him.

“Let’s go home,” she said, taking his hand and leading the way.

He bit his tongue to stop himself from pushing the conversation. Obviously, now wasn’t the time to discuss it.

It was after midnight when he closed the door to his flat behind them and caught her mouth in a kiss that was needy and insistent.

They made it to the bedroom without their lips parting, but she broke the intensity of the moment by giggling as soon as he had her on her back.

“I’m not sure what you find funny,” he said, smiling down at her. “This is a serious moment.”

“I know, but I keep thinking your phone is going to ring.”

“The entire island is asleep in bed. No one is out getting up to no good now. Which means we’re safe to get up to no good in my bed.”

“Okay then. Carry on.”

He didn’t even kiss her again before his phone erupted with its obnoxiously loud ringtone.

“What did you do?” he complained, jumping off her.

She laughed. “What do you mean,what did I do?”

“You jinxed it! Why did you have to mention the phone?”

“I’m not sure you have any grounds to blame me here.”

He glared at her before swiping a finger over his phone screen. “PC Flynn Grainger,” he stated in his police officer voice.

Chapter Nineteen

Lily flopped backon Flynn’s pillows and listened to him on the phone, fairly certain the call was about to send him running out of the door.

When he ended the call and didn’t immediately move, she had a spark of hope that she’d misread the conversation.

“That was the control room,” he said, pulling his T-shirt over his head. “They tried to get hold of the sergeant, but he’s not answering the phone.”

“Was there another break in?”

“No.” When he removed his jeans, she thought he wasn’t going anywhere. Until she realised he was changing into his uniform. “There have been a couple of phone calls from people who think they’ve seen someone lurking. One of them wasn’t even sure, but their dogs were barking, and they got worried because of recent events. It could just be people being jumpy, but I need to check.”

She sat up and watched him button up his shirt. “Can I come?”