Chapter 26
“I don’t understand.” Jenna leaned into Tyson for a better view of his laptop screen. “There doesn’t seem to be a Rosalind
Smith anywhere in DC, much less at Gordon’s address.”
After finding the suspicious piece of mail, they’d staked out the house until after eleven before giving up for the night.
Then they checked into a nearby hotel.
“It is odd. But Rosalind wasn’t on the house’s deed, and Gordon wasn’t listed as married on that background check. Plus we
never found a current certificate of marriage for him, all of which indicates he’s likely unmarried.”
“We only got a conclusive result on the marriage certificate from the county website, though. He could’ve been married anywhere
else.”
“That’s true,” he said.
“And there does seem to be a woman with his last name living in his house.”
“That seems pretty damning. But there are other explanations. It could be his ex-wife. Or maybe his son and daughter-in-law
used to live here. Smith is such a common name, it could even be a previous owner.”
“I guess those things are possible. But I don’t think they’re the most logical explanations. Too bad he’s not on social media—Rosalind
would be listed among his friends.”
They’d found plenty of Rosalind Smiths on Facebook but none living in the DC area. Then there were the Roses, Rosas, and Rosies. Tracking down the right person with so little information seemed daunting.
Jenna leaned back into the cozy outdoor love seat. The calming scent of lavender drifted from the flowering patio border,
soothing her nerves, and a warm breeze ruffled her hair. “I thought for sure we’d find something.”
“Don’t lose hope. Even if we strike out online, we’re not done. We still have tomorrow and we can head back over to the house.”
They both had to return to the island tomorrow night in time for work Wednesday.
“Presuming she works outside the home, we should get there early, maybe catch her as she’s leaving.”
“Would you want to approach her?” he asked.
“I think we should. If she’s off to work, we won’t get another chance before we have to leave. If she doesn’t leave for work,
we can wait until a respectable hour and knock on the door.”
“Sounds like a plan.”
The low timbre of his voice was pleasant and inviting. The breeze carried the scent of his familiar cologne, and Jenna drew
a deep breath. It was even better than the lavender, beckoning memories of quiet talks, good-natured teasing, and boisterous
laugher. He’d always been such a fun, easy person to be around. A good companion.
She cut him a sideways glance. The golden patio light sparkled like copper in his hair while the glow of the laptop lit his
facial features. His brows drew together as he searched yet another social media platform for the elusive woman.
He shifted his arm, bringing it in contact with hers as his fingers hunted and pecked across the keyboard.
Such nice hands. Big and masculine, with fingers that tapered to squared-off tips.
His palms sported calluses from tasks both on the job and with the fire company. He’d never been afraid of hard work.
And here she was, gazing longingly at his hands. She shook her head. So much for conquering her thoughts. She was losing her
mind—and this battle.
“Maybe this one?” Ty clicked on a profile of a woman who seemed about Gordon’s age. “She’s from DC and studied at the University
of Maryland, DC.”
Jenna skimmed the profile and pointed at the screen. “But she currently lives in Pittsburgh.”
Tyson sighed. “You’re right.” He toggled back and continued scrolling through the Rosalind Smiths. “She has to be here somewhere.”
Jenna’s fingers itched to smooth his brow. He was going above and beyond to help her, taking two days off work. Driving all
the way here. He was such a loyal friend.
Friend.
Because that’s the kind of thoughts you’re having about him.
She rolled her eyes. Friends didn’t notice hands or long to smooth brows. They didn’t savor the feeling of their arms pressed
together or relish the tones of each other’s voices.
Somehow this summer, her feelings of friendship had been on a slow, steady slide into something more. Something romantic.
Something alluring and yet scary.
Something completely irresistible.
As if sensing her appraisal he turned her way. His gaze swept over her features, concern flickering in his eyes. “Don’t be
discouraged.”
“I’m not. I’m really thankful, Ty. I can’t tell you how much your help means to me.” She leaned forward and planted a kiss on his cheek and savored the instant reward—the warmth of his body, the scent of his skin, the roughness of his jaw.
But as she withdrew, worry washed over her. She’d kissed him on the cheek twice in a matter of weeks. What was wrong with her? She was about to ruin the best thing she had going.
The heat of Jenna’s lips was like a brand on his cheek. Tyson’s heart stuttered at her nearness. This lingering kiss, like
the last one, landed so close to his mouth it pained him. Why hadn’t he turned just a fraction of an inch and captured that
kiss with his lips? But it was too late now. She was already retreating.
Her breath whispered across his skin as she withdrew, eyes still closed. His gaze dropped to those lips. Before darting back
to her eyes, which now opened slowly.
Their gazes locked. Was that desire shimmering on the surface? The thought of it buoyed him. But the glimmer was gone in an
instant. Replaced by something less welcome.
“I’m sorry. I don’t know why I keep—”
He stole the words with his mouth. He brushed his lips over hers slowly. Carefully. And then she responded. A fire kindled
inside him as their lips mated in a sensuous dance. He held on to his restraint. Even when her palm pressed against the skittering
pulse at his neck.
His hands found the curve of her waist as everything around them evaporated. It was just the two of them and this mesmerizing
moment.
It was enthralling.
It was perfection.
He never wanted it to end.
How could this be Jenna? He’d never even thought of her this way until recently.
Not even back in high school when they’d shared that prom kiss.
His brain had been too full of Danielle Collins to consider anyone else.
But now he felt as if he’d die the second this amazing kiss ended. “Wild,” he whispered against her lips.
“Hmm?” Her murmur vibrated against his mouth, the sensation electric.
“This is wild.”
She hmmed again and he continued his soft exploration. His brain shut off as all his other senses took over. Her lips were
so warm and inviting. She tasted of mint and honey. Her touch on his skin sent ripples of pleasure down his spine. She emitted
a little mewling sound that just about drove him over the edge.
It was then that, most inconveniently, his brain engaged.
This is Jenna.
Jenna, his best friend.
And they were kissing each other without regard for the future. They’d crossed a line that couldn’t be uncrossed. He couldn’t
bring himself to regret that right now. But it was a huge shift in their relationship. A relationship that was very important
to him.
They needed to talk.
It was the last thing he wanted to do.
Even so, he mustered every ounce of restraint and put a centimeter of space between them. He kept his eyes closed, for fear
he’d see regret or something worse in her eyes. Their breaths clashed in the space between them. “We’re—we should talk about
this.” Gathering courage, he opened his eyes—and met her sleepy-eyed gaze. Not a shred of regret there. Not even close.
Have mercy.
His will tottered. “Shouldn’t we?”
Her eyes dropped to his lips. “I’d rather just keep kissing.”
“You’re killing me, Greene.” And yet, how could he refuse such a sweet request? He resumed the kiss, pouring himself into
it, and she returned the favor. Her hand drifted to his nape, her fingers sliding into his hair, shocking every hair follicle
to life. He moved his hands around, pulling her closer as he deepened the kiss. Their breathing accelerated. “I can’t seem
to stop.”
“Who asked you to?”
Laughter bubbled out.
Then she initiated a long, searching kiss that flung all humor to the other side of the universe. She’d never been timid.
Not the girl who’d fielded line drives and swung for the fences. Certainly not the woman now in his arms. And he’d never been
more thankful.
She withdrew long enough to tilt her head the other way. “How’d you get so good at this? Never mind. Don’t want to know.”
Their lips came together like magnets. He couldn’t get close enough to her.
But her last words hovered in his mind like an annoying fly. They’d both had recent relationships—and both had ended badly.
He was still healing and she’d said the same of herself. This kiss had ushered them into foreign territory, and what if it
was too soon for both of them? What if he ended up hurting her? He couldn’t bear the thought.
He palmed her cheek and put a sliver of space between them. “Is this . . . a bad idea?”
“Doesn’t feel like it.” She brushed his nose with hers. “Does it?”
Her warm breath against his lips tantalized. “I’d tell you, but I can’t seem to think straight.”
“We’re just kissing . . .”
“I think we’re making out at this point.”
“Fair. But I’m good with it if you are. Just for now?” She brushed his lips with hers.
The caress eradicated all common sense. All sense period. “What—what do you mean? Like just this once?”
“Just tonight. Kissing only. Get it out of our systems.”
He wasn’t sure it worked like that, but . . .
Then her eyes opened lazily, filled with hope and desire. And when she smiled at him like that, he could refuse her nothing.
He dove his fingers into her hair. “Deal.”