Beyond Risk by Connie Mann

Author:Connie Mann
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Published: 2018-12-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

Charlee woke before dawn, her head nestled against Hunter’s shoulder and their legs tangled together. She felt a blush race over her skin as memories of the night washed over her, of the way she’d let go of control, but somehow, she couldn’t regret it. She’d been raised to believe casual sex was a cheap substitute for love and marriage. The few other encounters she’d had in her life, especially the one with Rick, had left her feeling sad and hollow afterward.

Last night with Hunter had changed everything. He made love with the same single-minded attention to detail that he did everything else, but more surprising was the way it all felt…right. Like this was how it was supposed to be. Only a woman in love could feel this way, she decided. She froze, letting the knowledge flow over and around her. Her smile widened as the reality set in. She loved him. It was as simple and unbelievably complex as that.

But then she sobered. She couldn’t tell him. Certainly not now. Number one, they had to find Brittany’s killer, and she had to know what had really happened last year. Nothing else could get in the way of that. And two, she figured her big, tough warrior wouldn’t want to talk about something like feelings. She almost snorted but didn’t want to wake him.

Instead, she eased out of the bed, grabbed clothes, and headed for the shower. Afterward, she pulled on her favorite swishy skirt and matching top, pulled her hair up in a high ponytail, and smoothed on tinted moisturizer and a bit of blush. She had the coffee going and was packing up the cupcakes, humming under her breath, when Hunter emerged from the bathroom, a surly expression on his face.

Charlee took in his freshly shaved chin, low-slung jeans and bare chest, and her mouth went dry. Oh my. “Good morning, Lieutenant,” she said primly.

His gaze traveled over her, the smolder in his green eyes making her glad she’d primped a little. “We going somewhere?”

“I need to drop these cupcakes off at the Corner Café.” She glanced at the clock on the wall. “If we hurry, we’ll have time to grab breakfast there before church.”

Hunter raised a brow. “We’re going to church?”

Charlee nodded, desperate to get her mind back on the case and away from Hunter’s broad chest. She cleared her throat. “Tanner family tradition. Besides, it’s the best place I know to find out what’s happening around town. Between that and the café, hopefully, we’ll learn something useful.”

Hunter poured coffee into a cup. “I like the way you think. Thanks for the coffee. Let me get dressed, and I’ll load the car.”

Rattled by her wayward thoughts, she snapped, “No need. I’ve got it.”

Hunter raised both hands. “Just offering to help, cher. Not impugning your independence.”

She felt ridiculous, took a deep breath to settle her nerves. “I’ll meet you outside.”

The café was doing a brisk business, but even so, Liz came around the counter and hugged Charlee like she’d just been dragged from a shipwreck.

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