were around.
And she was...running a test. Trying to see if she can walk away from me.
His head slowly lifted. He stared down at her, saw the flush on her cheeks and the heat in her gaze. “Well?”
She let go of his uniform. “You always did know how to kiss. But then, you were the boy who gave me my very first kiss.” She started to retreat.
Hayden caught her hand, held tight. We are so past that not-touching part.
“That first kiss was on this very beach.” Another memory that had gotten him through hell. When his life had become a battle, when the missions had been at their darkest, he’d pulled out those memories.
“What do you want me to say?” Jill asked, her breath hitching. “What do you want—”
You. Always you. “Time has passed. We’ve changed. But the desire hasn’t, Jill. It hasn’t lessened.” Hell, no. For him, it had only gotten stronger. Right then, he wanted her naked and under him on a bed. Or over him. That would work, too. Any way with Jill would work. “But the choice is yours.” It always would be. “You want us to stay only partners, just working the cold case? Fine, we can do that.” He’d need a whole lot of very, very icy showers. “But if you want more...” He exhaled. “Then I’ll give you everything I have.”
Her gaze searched his. What did she see, Hayden wondered, when Jill looked at him?
He knew what others had seen...
Troublemaker.
Son of a criminal.
Trash.
Then...after Jill...
Hero.
Fighter.
SEAL.
Now...sheriff. Peacekeeper.
But what was he to her? An ex she wants to forget? “So how did the experiment go?” Hayden asked her, his voice gruff. “Are we to be just partners or—”
“Wanting you was never a problem, Hayden.”
His brows lifted at her hushed words.
“Loving you? That was where I made my mistake.” She gave him a brisk nod. “I’m going back to my rental house for a few hours. I want to call some contacts at the FBI. You and I—we can talk more later.” She turned and began to walk away.
“Talk about the case?” Hayden called out to her. “Or about us?”
She looked back at him. The wind tousled her hair, fanning it across her face. “Both.”
* * *
HE WATCHED JILL as she headed toward her car. He hadn’t been certain which vehicle was hers—there were too many rentals in town right then. But she went to the small sedan with quick, determined strides and he smiled.
But then she stopped. Her gaze lifted and she turned, scanning the street.
He wasn’t outside so she didn’t see him. He was nestled, all safe and snug, in the little deli. The perfect place to watch. Because the sun could be so incredibly bright, the thoughtful deli owners had gotten the windows tinted. Their customers could see out and enjoy the million-dollar beach view, but folks outside couldn’t peer into the deli.
Jill couldn’t see him.
He rolled back his shoulders and let his grin stretch. Did she feel him? Somehow sense him? He’d heard that folks could do that, could tell—instinctively—when they were prey.
Jill was prey. Very, very long overdue prey.
She lingered a moment longer, and her gaze slid back to the beach. The sheriff was there, walking slowly toward her. He’d seen them on the beach, too. Talking, like old friends.
Kissing, like lovers.
Hayden Black was an interfering SOB. He’d make sure the guy didn’t get in his way again. After all...how could Hayden prevent a threat...
When he never saw it coming?
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