Chapter 17
As promised, Trent waited up for Natalie. He would’ve been awake anyway, reviewing the case. They were so close to linking Corey and Royer to the boat theft ring. He wanted the arrogant jerk to go down for the murder too. “One step at a time,” he reminded himself.
Deliberate. Methodical. Above reproach.
Those were the rules he lived by with the Guardian Agency. Rushing something now could blow it all to hell later in a courtroom.
So it was sweet relief when his phone chimed—notifying him of someone approaching the back door. The image showed Natalie in roomy sweats, her backpack slung over one shoulder.
He had no idea how he’d been so lucky, but he’d give thanks for the rest of his days for this time with her. He slid open the glass door and tugged her inside. “You’re out past your curfew,” he teased. His lips found hers and lingered there as she sighed with pleasure.
Her backpack thudded to the floor as she wrapped herself around him. The woman was a marvel. Passionate and giving and—was that lace under his fingers? He’d slipped his hands under the sweatshirt, eager for the silk of her skin and found the tantalizing fabric instead.
The case had him so tied up, he’d almost forgotten that sexy little photo she’d sent over.
Hours ago.
She leaned back just far enough to pull away the sweatshirt, standing before him in pale pink lace that set his every fantasy on fire.
He clutched his chest. “I’m done.”
“So you don’t want to see the rest?” She toyed with the drawstring on her sweatpants, peering up at him through her lashes.
She was the best kind of temptation. “I can take it.” He slapped at the light and reached around her to lock the door.
Then, giving into the playful mood, he tossed her over his shoulder.
One hand locked around her thighs and her giggles trailing behind them, he double-timed it upstairs to his suite.
To the bed he couldn’t imagine sharing with anyone else.
And a few hours later, when the first wisps of sunlight filtered through the curtains, he curled his body around hers feeling remarkably satisfied, well-rested, and clearheaded.
Natalie was an independent woman, a talented and accomplished artist, but right now he couldn’t get enough of the inexplicable way she steadied him. Contentment had never been so intoxicating.
“Hey.” She wriggled her back into his chest. “Good morning.”
He gave her a gentle squeeze. “Busy day?”
“Not too busy for you.” She rolled over to face him, running the pads of her fingers over the whiskers along his jaw. “What’s on your plate?”
“A couple of calls, more interviews. Y’know the deal.” There was the ongoing search too, but he didn’t want to get into that.
“Mm-hm.”
A furrow appeared over her nose and he kissed away the clear signs of troubled thoughts. “Want to talk about it?”
“Yes.” She kissed him. “But not right now. I need a shower.” She quickly slipped out of his embrace.
“Want some company?” he called after her as he started making the bed. He found the lace and silk and smiled at the heated memories.
She shot him a bold look over her shoulder. “Always.”
They had better things to do than talk as they eventually got around, but downstairs in the kitchen, once she had half a cup of coffee in her, he dared to nudge her a little. He wanted her to feel comfortable enough to open up with him. “It’s your ex, isn’t it?”
“What has he done?” She bobbled her coffee mug and he helped guide it safely to the countertop. “Is he connected to your investigation?”
“No,” Trent rushed to soothe her. “No connection between him and Royer.”
“Then why did you bring him up?”
“You tell me,” he challenged gently. “I was only speculating because of that.” He motioned to the tension and anger puckering her brow. “You have a very specific expression when he’s on your mind.”
“Because he is a very specific kind of jerk,” she grumbled. “And, yes, he’s been on my mind.” Her blue eyes turned fierce. “Though I’m trying to think about anything else.”
“I’ll listen,” he said. “You can talk to me.”
“I know.” Her smile flickered. “Blame it on sister night.” She shrugged as if that should be enough of an explanation.
Not even close. He poured coffee into his tall travel mug. “And?”
“Sisters.” She sighed. “Sometimes when we get to talking it brings up old stuff for me. That’s all.”
That was a good start, but not the whole truth. “Old stuff like your ex.” That earned a nod of agreement. “You haven’t seen him in Brookwell again, have you?”
“No.” She stepped closer and rested a hand on his chest. “It’s not anything to worry about,” she claimed. “Celeste turned down the offer from Indigo Reef.”
He really wanted to believe it was that simple.
“Okay.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head.
As much as he hated to rush through this, he needed to buckle down and locate Royer.
The sooner he could take his case far away from Natalie’s home, the better he’d feel about everything, including more time with her.
She smiled up at him. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“Being you.” She gave his biceps a squeeze. “Being amazing.”
“You’re welcome, I guess.”
Outside, the deep rumbles of construction equipment began. “Really, don’t worry about me,” she said. “I’ll be ready to talk about it soon.”
“I’ll hold you to it.”
“Do that. Please.” She grabbed her tote bag. “I’m going down to the beach for a few minutes before I get started.”
“All right.” He pulled her close, lingering over the kiss. “I’ll be around. Make sure to let one of us know if you need a change of scenery.”
She stared at him, her lips parted in surprise. “You really are amazing. I’m not sure anyone’s ever understood me so well.”
Her smile was amazing. When she looked at him like that, he wanted to be her everything. Forever.
But first, he had to let them both get to work.
As he watched her go, he felt an increasing pressure at the back of his neck.
His reservation at the Hideaway was coming to an end in just a few days.
Either he solved this case and moved on to the next, or he found a new lead that pulled him far from Brookwell.
From Natalie.
For the first time in his Guardian Agency career, both potential outcomes troubled him.