Harlequin Romantic Suspense April 2021 by Karen Whiddon (good e books to read txt) 📗

That was what hurt more than anything.

Some of her thoughts must have shown in her face. He crossed to her, placing his hand gently under her chin. “I’m not leaving you,” he declared, right before he kissed her.

More relieved than she cared to admit, even to herself, she kissed him back. By the time they broke apart, she could hardly think straight.

“Come,” he said, taking her hand and leading her into the bedroom.

Carly only got up once for the rest of the night—to take Bridget out. She finally fell asleep, wrapped in Micha’s strong arms, feeling safe and extremely well loved.

Carly’s cousin Simone called early the next morning as Carly had just gotten her first cup of coffee and filled Bridget’s bowl with kibble. Taking a deep breath before she answered, Carly wondered if Heath had already notified the entire family about what had been going on with her and Micha. But if Simone knew, she didn’t bring it up. Instead, she wanted to talk about finding their fathers’ killers.

“Since classes are out for the summer, I’m planning to dedicate all of my time to this,” Simone declared. “January is too busy with work, so I thought I’d ask you if you wanted to help.”

“Help with what?” Carly asked, resisting the urge to mention that she also had a full-time job. While she might have today off, she always had a lot to do in her limited leisure time. Especially today.

“Well,” Simone said. “Clearly the police aren’t making the case their top priority. Now that we know it’s likely the work of serial killers—”

“The FBI is taking the lead,” Carly interrupted. “At least, that’s what I’ve been told.”

“Either way, no one but family has as deep of an interest in catching the murderer,” Simone continued, unfazed. “I’ve been doing a lot of research on serial killers. It’s a fascinating subject. I had no idea.”

Carly made a noncommittal sound, aware Simone didn’t really require a response. Among family, Simone had always been the one who loved to research whatever happened to be her interest at the moment. Right now, that appeared to be serial killers.

“Do you want to meet up for coffee in an hour and talk more about it?” Simone asked. How she knew Carly had the day off, Carly wasn’t sure.

Glancing at the clock, Carly sighed. “I can’t. I have a ton to do today. In fact, I need to let you go so I can finish getting ready.”

Micha walked into the kitchen just then, barefoot and shirtless, with his faded jeans riding low on his hips. Carly completely lost her train of thought. Apparently oblivious, Micha strolled over and kissed her cheek. “Good morning,” he murmured, his raspy before-coffee voice sexy as hell as he moved past her.

“Who’s that?” Simone chirped. “Is that Micha? Did he spend the night at your place?”

“Yes,” Carly replied. “Sorry, Simone. I’ve got to run.” Heart pounding, she quickly ended the call.

Admiring Micha’s backside while he made himself a cup of coffee, she knew she needed to finish her morning preparations, but she couldn’t make her legs move. Usually, she preferred to start her days off enjoying a leisurely coffee on her back patio but all she could think of at this moment was how to lure Micha back to bed.

“Who was that?” Micha asked, turning to face her, holding his mug with both hands. As he raised it to his mouth to take a sip, she caught her breath, unable to tear her gaze away.

“That was Simone,” she replied, pushing the words out past her suddenly parched throat. To cover, she drank some of her coffee and picked up Bridget’s now-empty food bowl.

“Ah. I’m guessing Heath has already told everyone about the explosion and the gunshots?”

“That’s what’s so weird,” she said. “Simone didn’t mention any of that. Instead, she wanted to talk about investigating our fathers’ murders. She’s really into research and she’s been learning about serial killers and what makes them tick.”

Bridget scratched at the back door, whining to indicate she needed to go out. Glad of the distraction, Carly took her dog out, bringing her coffee with her. Once outside, she breathed in the fresh morning air while she watched Bridget explore the backyard. She hadn’t known she’d love her dog so deeply or so quickly.

How the hell Micha could still affect her so strongly, especially since they’d spent the night wrapped in each other’s arms, she didn’t understand. She wasn’t sure she even wanted to.

The back door squeaked, alerting her to the fact that he’d joined her outside. “Nice morning,” he said, sounding a bit more normal now that he’d had a few sips of coffee.

“It is.” She tried hard to sound normal, too, as if her heart wasn’t racing and her skin prickling with the awareness of him.

“I’m thinking of giving up my hotel room today,” he said. “Assuming you still want me to stay here with you.”

“I do,” she replied, even though living together was a huge step. Deciding to qualify that, she turned to face him. “At least until the danger is over.”

Micha kissed her cheek. “At least until then,” he agreed. “Would you mind giving me my own key?”

She hid her smile. “Of course I don’t mind. Roomie.” Because she was determined that was all they’d ever be—roommates. She couldn’t risk having her heart broken by him ever again.

CHAPTER 9

Micha dressed carefully for the Colton get-together at Lone Wolf Brewery. He figured Carly’s entire family would be scrutinizing his every move. Even though she’d tried to play off her asking him to move in with her as strictly a safety thing, they both knew better. She might try to pass him off as just a roommate, but he knew none of the Coltons would look at it that way. He remembered how they’d scrutinized him when he and Carly had gotten engaged. He was pretty sure Heath had even run a background check on him. Actually, Micha couldn’t really blame them. Carly was pretty