Page 131 of Girl Between (Dana Gray FBI Mystery Thriller #5)

It took an eternity for Dana to say her goodbyes to Cadie and everyone at the reception. By the time she made it outside, she half expected Jake to have left. But there he was, sitting in the idling SUV, dome light on, jaw clenched.

She climbed inside, apologies at the ready. “Sorry. That took longer than expected.”

He didn’t say anything. Just turned off the dome light and put the vehicle in drive.

They didn’t speak the entire drive across town. Jake turned onto Royal, but he pulled over a few blocks before they reached her hotel.

Killing the engine, he turned to face her.

“Look, I came here tonight to tell you I’ve made a decision.

I’m taking my life on a new path. What I haven’t said yet, is that I want you to take it with me.

” He reached for Dana’s hand, interlacing their fingers.

“I know you have unfinished business here. But Dana, it’ll never be finished.

There’s always gonna be a reason not to take the leap. I’m asking you to do it anyway.”

“Jake … this case … I haven’t even begun to tell you what we’ve discovered. I can’t leave it unfinished. ”

“You can. And you probably should. But only you can make that decision.”

“I just need more time.”

“I can give you till noon tomorrow. Then I’m on a flight to D.C.”

“That’s not enough time.”

“Right now, it’s all I’ve got.”

They stared at each other for a moment before Dana finally admitted the truth. “I want you to stay.”

“I want to stay,” he said.

That familiar spark of heat crackled to life between them. Jake moved first, pulling Dana to him. Their lips collided, needily asking for all the things they couldn’t find the words for.

Jake’s mouth possessively moved from her lips to her throat. Breathless, Dana glanced down the street. She could see the glowing lights of her hotel. “Come up to my room,” she said breathily. “Or take me to yours. I don’t care.”

“I’m not staying here.”

She raised her eyebrows in question.

“The bureau isn’t footing my bill. I’m at the Hilton in Algiers.”

“Across the bridge?”

He nodded.

“All the more reason to stay with me.”

Jake tore his mouth from her skin, his eyes dark with desire. “Dana, it’s taking everything I’ve got not to go inside and tear every last inch of clothing off of you. But if we do this … I need to know it’s for more than just tonight. If not, tell me now.”

“Jake …”

He pulled back, sitting straight in his seat. “No, it’s fine.”

“It’s not.”

Jake sighed, his shoulders rigid again, carrying that invisible weight he never shared. “You’re right. It’s not. But it will be.”

“So, this is it? You’re just going to leave? And I’ll see you … when?”

“I don’t know. I’ve got a lot to sort out. My family …” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “There’s more going on with them that I should tell you, but maybe it’s better I don’t. ”

“Jake, you know I care about your family.”

“I do. But if we’re cutting ties, I’d rather start now.”

“You can’t drop an ultimatum on my lap like this. I’m in the middle of an investigation. I can’t leave now. Even if I want to.”

He pulled back, taking the crackling heat between them with him. He let his gaze fall to his lap. He was quiet for a moment, contemplating something. Then, “If you change your mind, meet me at Café Beignet on Royal by noon.”