Page 77 of Artful Deceit

“Help yourself.”

He stood. “And is it okay if I sleep here?”

“Of course.”

Emerging from the shower in his boxers and a T-shirt, he slung his uniform over the chair in Lily’s room and sat beside her on the bed.

“I know you have a lot going on at the moment,” Lily said, “but if you’re angry with me about the backpack, you should just say so.”

The sorrow in his eyes had her cursing herself for bringing it up and adding to his stress.

“I’m upset that you didn’t tell me about it sooner. I assume you spent all week trying to track down your bag, and lying to me.”

“I didn’t want to put you in an awkward position. You’re a police officer, and I knew you’d have to report it.”

“I wouldn’t have reported it,” he said blandly. “I’d have helped you get it back.”

“It wouldn’t have been that straightforward for you,” she argued.

“Yes, it would.” He turned to face her. “Maybe it shouldn’t be that straightforward, but it would have been. I’d have helped you.”

“Not if it meant ignoring the law.”

“Yes,” he said firmly. “I would have ignored the law, or even broken the law. I don’t care. You’ll always come first. I would break the law for you every day of the week if I had to.”

Tears filled Lily’s eyes as she ran her hand down his cheek.

His mouth twitched into a shadow of a smile. “Please don’t test me on that. I’d rather not break the law.”

Since she couldn’t find any appropriate words, she leaned close enough to feel his breath on her mouth, then kissed him softly.

In response, he took her face in his hands and devoured her lips with his.

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Lily triedto let Flynn sleep, but his arm was draped across a particularly bruised part of her hip, and her attempt at deep breathing wasn’t dulling the pain of it.

“Sorry,” he muttered when she removed his arm. “Was I hurting you?”

“It’s okay,” she insisted. “Your hand was pressing on a bruise, but it’s fine.”

“Let me check…” When he lifted the covers, the cool air made goosebumps erupt over her naked skin.

“Flynn!” She pulled the duvet back over herself.

“You look good to me,” he said playfully.

She raised her head for him to slip his arm under and then settled herself at his collarbone. “I wish we could just stay in bed all day.”

“Me too.” His previous relaxed state vanished as he turned his wrist to check his watch. “I should get to the station.”

“Could you maybe spare half an hour?” she asked with her best flirty smile. Surely he could give her a quick repeat of last night’s activities before he left.

“I wish,” he said. “I need to shower and get to work. Hopefully, I won’t be too late tonight though.”

“Okay,” she said, ignoring the disappointment and focusing on the view of his naked backside as he headed for the shower.

While he got ready for work, she moved to the kitchen and made a pot of coffee.