Forbidden Fling (Wildwood 1)

“Yes, I’m sure.”

Her edge of hysteria confirmed it for Ethan. He narrowed his eyes, and the first stirrings of rage bubbled low in his gut. “When did you talk to him?”

“Just now.” She jerked a hand toward her property. “He came to the bar.”

With his heart in his throat, Ethan closed the distance between them and slid his hands down her arms, holding her gently but firmly even when she wouldn’t meet his eyes.

“Delaney,” he said softly, seriously. “Did he hurt you?”

“No,” she said softly. “But he would have . . .”

His gut tightened. His stomach folded. And he bit out a curse as he dragged her close and wrapped her in his arms. She kept her head bent, her arms crossed, but she didn’t push back.

Ethan squeezed his eyes tight, trying to force away the image of Austin with his hands on Delaney. “How did you get rid of him?”

“Told him there were security cameras. Cameras to dirty cops are

like sunlight to vampires.”

He frowned. “Are there? Cameras?”

“Yes. Trace installed them for theft.”

She lifted her head and looked at him with watery blue eyes. “Why would you tell Austin, of all people? We understood each other. We were on the same page. I trusted you. I ended things between us for you.”

Her tear-filled voice tore at his heart. To see such a strong woman reduced to such turmoil and fear killed him.

“You know I didn’t tell Austin,” he said, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. “Otherwise I’d be rolling on the floor with my nuts in my throat.”

Her head bowed again, her body softened, and a breath stuttered past her lips.

“You just needed to hear it from me.” He lifted a hand and stroked her hair.

Delaney pressed her face into his chest. “Asshole shouldn’t have a badge,” she muttered, slowly unwinding from the coiled state she’d come in. “Should never be allowed to carry a gun.”

With her posture easing, Ethan was able to cocoon her in his arms. He pressed his face to her hair, closed his eyes, and breathed her in. Then sighed. “I’ve missed you.”

She exhaled and leaned into him. “This situation is so messed up.”

“It is, and it wears me out. Come sit with me.”

He uncurled long enough to guide her to the sofa in the unit by way of the front door, which he locked before sinking onto the velour and pulling her onto his lap.

She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pressed her face to his neck. “I shouldn’t stay.”

He pressed a kiss to her head and smoothed her hair off her face. He didn’t agree or disagree. He just soaked in the feel of her weight against him, her warmth, her sexy, salty, musky scent, and enjoyed her for as long as she let him.

“I know I asked you this before,” she said after several long, quiet minutes, “but how did you come out of that family so great?”

“Probably my mom. She’s nothing like them. If you took them out of the picture, you’d like her.” More silence. “I hear Avery’s coming for a visit.”

“Yeah.”

The upbeat tone of her voice made him smile. “You sound happy.”

“I am. You might see her if you’re still at the bar doing the inspection when I bring her by. It’s a good time to mend broken ties, you know? She’s in a bad place right now, and I hope I can make it better somehow.”

Her generosity and sweetness warmed Ethan. “And Chloe?”