“But not because he didn’t want to. It was the one thing my mother managed to control, at least when I was younger. She said she’d have stabbed him if he touched me, and I think he believed her. But she couldn’t do it for herself. He said she deserved it, and she came to believe it.” Cara shook her head. “And as I got older, I stayed out of the house as often as possible.”
She stared at the table, and yet he knew what she was thinking.
“Don’t feel guilty for taking care of yourself,” he said quietly. “That was your parents’ job. Your mom obviously did the best she could for you, if not for herself. And your dad failed as a parent. So did mine. I’m just lucky I had Simon.” Even if he’d never live up to the man and his legacy, Mike thought.
“How did you know what I was thinking?” Cara asked.
Because he was coming to know and understand her. But that wasn’t something he wanted to share. “Lucky guess.” He forced an easy grin. “Feeling better?”
“I didn’t even touch my tea, but yeah, I am. Thanks for being a friend.”
He didn’t miss her emphasis on the word friend, and he didn’t understand why the distinction bothered him so much. They’d been frantic for each other earlier, but that was just sex. Wasn’t it?
Mike paid, and, to his surprise, Cara didn’t argue. He walked her to her car, pausing by the Jeep, unwilling to part ways with her just yet. Though he knew they’d have to get together to discuss strategy on looking into the cold case and Simon’s involvement, it wasn’t something he wanted to bring up now.
“What are you doing tomorrow night?” he found himself asking instead.
She blinked up at him, her eyes wide-open windows to her soul. “Nothing special. Why?”
“I thought you might like to come to my parents’ house for dinner.” Had he really just asked her to join him at a family event?
She worried her bottom lip, making him want to lean in for a long taste. Not the time, he thought. She’d gone back to skittish.
“Are you sure your parents wouldn’t mind?” she asked, bringing his thoughts back to where they belonged.
He raised an eyebrow. “Are you kidding? My mother loves to cook, and we both know she adores you.”
Cara flushed. “She’s sweet. But aren’t Sunday nights for family?”
Was it his imagination or did he hear longing in her voice with that word?
“You’re like family to them.” Not that he felt the least bit familial toward her, which made him wonder why he wasn’t letting her off the hook for this dinner gracefully.
“Well, if you’re sure.” She looked up at him with grateful blue eyes, and he had his answer.
She wanted to join him as much as he wanted her there. “I am,” he said gruffly.
She nodded her thanks. “I’ll call your mom and see what I can bring.”
Mike already knew Ella would just tell Cara to bring herself. “Come by their house around five.”
“Okay.” Her smile lit up something inside him. She reached for her door handle.
“Cara.”
She pivoted back to face him.
Unable to stop himself, he lifted his hand and stroked his knuckles down her cheek. “Get a good night’s sleep,” he said gruffly.
At his touch, her cheeks turned a rosy red that had nothing to do with the cold air. “I will. Night, Mike.” She ducked her head, opened the door, and climbed inside.
He waited until she started the truck and pulled away from the curb. What a complicated woman, he thought, watching as she drove away.
There was much more to Cara Hartley than he’d realized before. And he was drawn to the many facets of her personality: the strong cop, the vulnerable woman, and everything in between. She aroused warm and protective feelings he didn’t recognize. Ones that would normally send him running. Hell, as much as he’d liked going out with Tiffany back in the day, her constant phone calls and neediness nearly choked the life out of him. She’d always told him she relied and counted on him, but Mike didn’t want to be needed that way. By anyone.
Just like his old man, Mike thought in disgust. Which was why with every job and woman, Mike made a point of being up front with his intentions. Even Mike’s sergeant in New York knew that when a case ended, if Mike felt the need to go—he would. Luckily the variety of assignments in the city kept him interested. The women? Not so much. But Mike wasn’t bolting from Cara, despite the bouts of awareness that told him he should be panicking.
He couldn’t. Because Cara had a grip on Mike that wasn’t letting go. Which meant he was in it for the duration.