“What kind of questions?”
“Erin’s affidavit says that Rogers left you and went to see her. You thought she was a little too flirtatious for an ex. Maybe that’s what they both wanted you to think. That she was jealous. You said she was always hanging around, trying to get his attention, drag him away on some pretext. Maybe he was her dealer. Or perhaps they were dealing together.”
“I never thought.” Jori lifted her head and looked at him. “But Erin’s married to Luke Tice now.”
“Mr. Clean. I wonder. It certainly ties things up in a neat bow.”
He watched the scenario play out behind her bright gaze until the pieces began to lock together in a new design. “You want to meet Erin? I know how to make that happen.”
“I thought you weren’t in touch with your former friends.”
“I’m not. But I have an invitation to the biggest social event in northwest Arkansas this weekend. It’s happening Saturday in Eureka Springs.”
“What’s that?”
“My brother’s wedding. I told my parents not to expect me.” Her expression sobered. “I didn’t want to spoil it with my presence.” She told him briefly about the call from Erin a week earlier. “But now I see why my presence might make certain people uncomfortable for a very different reason. I’d be a reminder of all the lies they told.”
Law was moving ahead with different calculations. He knew that if they were about to tangle with the Tices, there would be consequences. “Are you sure about this? You’ve moved on in your life. Nothing they did or are doing can hurt you anymore.”
Jori nodded, letting the heat and strength of him shear into and through her fears, making her feel stronger than she had in a long time. She knew not to rely on this feeling between them to last. The one that said they had crossed some barrier between a one-night stand and friends. They had a mutual interest. When that was gone, he might be, too. But for now, when she needed him the most, Law was here smiling down at her. And it was like standing in a spotlight. “Let’s do this.”
Law saw again the glimmer of admiration and awe that had been on Jori’s face after he chased down Hoodie this morning. It felt so good his chest expanded in determination. He wanted to be every single thing he saw reflected in her gaze. He wanted to be that guy. He wanted to be her hero.
Law kissed her with a fierce determination to stamp out, for the moment, every other thought in her head but him. He was pretty sure he was succeeding when he felt her sigh into his mouth and then her tongue slide forward to tangle with his. He could feel hands creeping up under his shirt onto his back, exposing his lower spine to the chill of the wind. Everywhere else in his body the heavy thick tide of desire was rolling through, pumping him up in every vital spot.
When they finally paused to breathe he asked, “What was your college major?”
“Criminal justice.” She slid a hand down into the back of his pants and gripped a naked butt cheek. “I wanted to be an attorney. Do something for the greater good.”
He hissed in a breath as she slid that hand forward. “And now?”
She smiled against his warm mouth. “I just want to be bad.”
He could definitely help with that.
For the first time in what felt like forever, he had hope, and that scared the hell out of him. But he was going to make it right for her. Because he could.
He kissed the tip of her nose. “I’ll stand here with you all night if that’s what you need, Jori. But my balls are turning blue. Can we take this indoors?”
*
“Just so you know. There’ve been no other women. Since you.”
Jori frowned at him. They were back in the cabin, in that moment between decision and deed. “You don’t need to say things. Just don’t lie to me.”
“I’m not lying.” The look on her face made him blush. “I tried. Okay? I picked up a woman but—it didn’t feel right.”
Jori just folded her arms and waited.
Law shook his head. ‘Try to tell the truth.” He should have kept his big mouth shut.
He went toward the fireplace. He’d meant to light it when they came in but his stump was hurting something fierce. He’d had to take the prosthesis off. Now he wanted to set the mood.
The wood was all laid out. He often preferred a real fire to the more efficient central heating. All he had to do was reach down and get the electronic starter. He shifted both crutches into one hand and balanced on one leg as he bent down.
Sam came running. She saw what he was reaching for and swooped in and scooped it up and turned to him, tail-wagging proud.
Law felt his face go red a second time as he snatched the starter. “I can light my own damn fire without help!”