Page 65 of Pretend You Love Me

I’m not going to give a statement today. I’m trying to figure out how I can never give a statement. I can’t give my real name. I’m just making some headway, and if my family rolls in town, it will ruin everything.

“I’d like to go with you.”

“I’d like to do it alone.” I pull a shirt over my head.

“Ginger...” It’s a warning.

“I need a shower.” I walk into the bathroom. This conversation is over whether he wants it to be or not.

Chapter Fifteen

Kip

She’s lying to me. I don’t trust a word coming out of her mouth right now, but I can tell when someone is finished talking about something, so I shut my mouth.

I have breakfast waiting for her once she’s showered and dressed.

“I need to do some things at the library today, and then I’ll go by the police station.” She cuts her egg and lets the yolk run over her toast.

“And you’re sure you don’t want me there?” Isay as I start washing out the frying pan.

“I’m positive. I’m sure you have work to do. I don’t want to be a distraction.”

A little late for that.

“I'm working tonight. I’ll see you at the restaurant,” she says.

I turn back around and study her. I’m trying to figure out what she’s got herself wrapped up in.

“Okay. Call me if you change your mind.”

“Of course,” she says. She finishes her breakfast without another word.

“I’ve got it.” I take her plate from her. She walks around the counter and gives me a little kiss on the cheek. My dick twitches as her body brushes up against mine.

“Thanks for this morning,” she whispers in my ear. All the blood rushes to my dick, and my brain has turned to mush like I didn’t just get off an hour ago.

I watch her leave, and then I grab my keys. She’s lying, and I’m going to figure out why.

I follow her into town - trailing far behind her in my truck. She doesn’t go to the library. She goes to the courthouse. I park down the street and watch her rush inside.

What had Hawk said? She was looking into property records and arrests. I drag my hand over my mouth and down my chin.This fucking woman.Every part of my brain is telling me to walk away. Don’t follow her. Don’t get involved with her. It cannot possibly end well. And then my stupid brain thinks about her big, puppy dog eyes. It thinks about her body writhing under her own touch, and the breathless way she moaned my name when she came this morning, and I know there’s no walking away.

She exits the courthouse a few minutes later and returns to the car. She doesn’t head to the library or the police station. She heads out of town in the opposite direction of my place. Where the hell is she going?

We drive for a while. She’s heading into a sketchy area, and I’m growing more and more angry with her. Where the fuck is she going? What could she possibly be doing out here?

She pulls the car in front of the sketchiest looking rundown house and turns off the engine.

You’ve got to be kidding me.

She’s out of the car and heading toward the door.

Oh, hell no. There’s literally nothing good or safe or okay in that house.

I’m out of the car, stalking toward her. I’m so angry with her right now. What is she about to walk into?

I wrap my arms around her waist and put a hand over her mouth. She freezes - no breathing. No moving. Her whole body tenses. I know I’m terrifying her.