Gabrielle drove off and Amber headed back inside, her thoughts on Gabrielle and the family she was building with Derek. The more Gabrielle had talked about the baby she was expecting, the more the yearning in Amber’s chest grew to one day have those same things for herself. She still didn’t know where Mike fit into her future, but she did know she missed him.
She’d slept by herself her entire life and yet she’d had a hard time falling asleep alone last night. She’d missed snuggling into Mike’s warm body. Even more, she’d missed waking up to his sexy morning smile, his gruff hello and the eager way he’d thrust inside her once he allowed himself to let go. Even if he was upset with her, in bed they were one hundred percent compatible. How many married couples could say the same?
Mike was different from other men. No man in her past had ever filled the space inside her the way he did. None had left an aching emptiness when they were gone. He could be her family, her future—if he’d put the same effort into the relationship she intended to.
Because she already knew how easily she could fall for him.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
MIKE LEFT the station and drove directly to his father’s house, looking forward to seeing Amber more than was prudent. But prudence had never played a role in this impulsive relationship, which, he admitted, was what had him so on guard, off-kilter—and exhilarated all at the same time.
His cell phone rang. A quick glance told him Dan was calling and he pushed the speaker button to keep it hands free. “Talk to me,” Mike said.
“You had a phone call at the station. A P.I. in Texas,” his partner said.
Elvin Rogers, the man Mike had hired to investigate King Bobby Boyd, Mike thought, and his heart rate kicked up a notch. Maybe he’d finally get the information he needed on the stupidly named man so Amber could feel safe.
“Thanks for letting me know,” he said to his partner.
“No problem. What case are you working in Texas that I don’t know about? Are you holding out on me?” Dan asked.
Mike laughed. Sometimes his partner could be such a baby, constantly needing reassurance. “It’s not a case, it’s personal.”
“And you’re not going to fill me in,” Dan said.
Mike heard the rebuke in the other man’s voice. “Maybe someday.” When he could look at himself in the mirror and not feel like such a tool. “I’ve got to go,” Mike said.
“Fine. Just remember what we talked about the other day. Enjoy your wife the way I’m enjoying mine,” Dan said.
“Thanks for the advice, Dear Abby. Talk to you later.”
Mike hung up and called the P.I., only to get his answering machine informing callers Elvin Rogers, private investigator extraordinaire was on the case.
Mike groaned. What was with these Texas yahoos giving themselves nicknames and pats on the back? He left a message for the other man to call him as soon as possible and once again left his cell phone number, which Elvin hadn’t bothered to use.
As Mike settled in for the rest of the drive to Stewart, it wasn’t thoughts of King Bobby that filled his mind, but his partner’s words. Enjoy your wife, echoed in Mike’s head. It wasn’t the first time his partner had given Mike that advice. The last time, Mike had gone home intending to do just that. Then her news destroyed his intent and ruined his mood.
Not Amber’s. She’d been able to put their argument behind her and make love not war. She easily seduced him into doing the same. As he eagerly drove to see her, he had to ask himself, why was he fighting it?
He already knew they were incompatible long-term, but when they were together, they were almost combustible. They both knew he’d succumb to her charm anyway, so why not enjoy the time he had with her?
He couldn’t think of one good reason. His mind made up, and his mood lightened, Mike allowed himself to look forward to seeing his wife.
MIKE ARRIVED at his father’s house to find Amber had parked his car around back, a smart move for which he credited his cousin. Outside was quiet and the front door unlocked, something he’d have to discuss with his father, at least for as long as Amber stayed here. When Edward was alone, Mike figured nobody had the nerve to bother him.
Mike let himself inside. “Hello?” he called.
No answer.
He figured his father was down by the lake. As for Amber…With a shrug, he headed down the short hall to the guest bedroom. It had been Mike’s room when he was a child, but when his mother moved out, and Edward showed no interest in redecorating, Mike had renovated it. This way he could stay over if the need arose, in a queen-size bedroom with a decent TV.
Amber’s voice carried into the hall. She was on her cell phone, he realized as he stopped in the doorway. He was about to turn around and walk away, giving her privacy, when her gaze caught his.
A wide smile brightened her face and she waved him inside.
She was glad to see him, and like a teenager who hadn’t seen his girlfriend in too long, his gut churned and his heart kicked into high gear.
He settled beside her on the bed and waited for her to finish her conversation.