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“You’re okay, Hollis?”
If only he knew. It had been a long time since she had felt this level of contentment. This was the second time in the last twelve hours that he had asked her that. She couldn’t recall the last time a man had inquired about her well-being with such concern and sincerity. Malik did it all the time, but he didn’t count.
She looked into his eyes and smiled. “I couldn’t be better.”
Although it was Saturday, he had told her that he would be working today. In that case, she would be too. But later, when all work was done, there would be plenty of time to play. She would see to it.
He leaned in, and Hollis welcomed his kiss. She had a feeling they wouldn’t start work today until they were good and ready, and she had no problem with that. In fact, she liked that idea.
CHAPTER 22
Locke walked into the kitchen and paused in the doorway, not used to finding a beautiful woman sharing his space, but he had no complaint. Last night and this morning belonged to another world. One he had miraculously been a part of. Hollis Calloway was definitely a man’s fantasy and dream. Every hour spent with her had been pure magic.
After showering together, she volunteered to make breakfast, and he used the time to call Shogun and Macayle to fill them in on the latest drama. He had also checked in with Quasar Patterson to see how Karl and Nyla were doing. All were quiet on their end, and he hoped things remained that way. Last night’s incident was enough to deal with for now.
He wasn’t surprised to discover missed calls from Detective Connors. They had heard about last night’s incident and, like him and Hollis, figured it was related to Halifax’s case. The three men literally spilled their guts about the guy who had paid them to hurt Hollis. But they couldn’t come up with a name.
The one guy who met with the individual said the meeting took place late at night in a secluded area near a new home construction site, and he couldn’t identify the guy in a lineup or describe his features. They were obviously amateurs, not the usual paid-for-hire types. Three guys who needed money and failed to do research on their intended victim. One claimed he had a newborn baby at home. Yet he had been willing to hurt Hollis like he’d been paid to do. For that reason, the man wouldn’t get any sympathy from him.
“Are you going to stand there and stare as if I’m walking around your kitchen naked, Locke, or are you going to help?”
He smiled. The vision of her walking around his kitchen naked wasn’t a bad one. “Had you been naked, I would suggest you put on clothes since your two favorite detectives are on their way to talk to you about last night.”
Hollis turned from the stove after flipping an egg. She had asked how he liked his cooked, and he’d told her over-medium. He shouldn’t be surprised she was good at cooking since she pretty damn much excelled at everything else.
“Well, I hope you didn’t invite them to breakfast. I only made enough for two.”
He chuckled. “Trust me, a breakfast invitation is the last thing they’ll get out of me. In fact, I told them not to come until after eleven. After all, this is Saturday,” he said, crossing the room to kiss her. It was supposed to be a quick brush across her lips, but he took it to another level. He totally enjoyed kissing her.
She broke off the kiss. “Do you want me to burn our food?” she asked before turning back to the stove.
“No, I definitely don’t, since I’ve worked up an appetite. I’ll make myself useful with the coffee. Would you also like a glass of orange juice?” he asked, moving to the other side of the kitchen to open the refrigerator. It was completely stocked. Obviously, it wasn’t Carol’s intent for him to have to go to the grocery store for anything. He knew it was the same way at the place where Karl was being kept.
“Yes. Florida orange juice is the best there is.”
“My friends from California might disagree with you on that.”
She shrugged, and her off-the-shoulder top drew his gaze to her beautiful shoulders. Maybe he ought to suggest that she change into a different blouse. Otherwise, he would have to deal with Detective Connors checking out her shoulders, in addition to her mouth. However, he doubted very seriously Hollis was a woman who took advice from a man on how to dress.
“They are delusional, but that’s okay.”
He chuckled at that. “I can’t imagine California Senator Ryker Valentine being delusional.”
She grinned as she placed the platters on the table. “Oops. I do recall reading that he was a good friend of yours.”
“Yes, we served time together at Glenworth,” he said, pouring juice into their glasses.
“Sheppard Granger has to be proud of the men all of you have become.”
“He says so, but doesn’t like to take credit for our accomplishments,” Locke said, placing the glasses of juice on the table.
“Why not?”
“He prefers to credit us with wanting to make changes in our lives enough to do so. He thought he had gotten through to everyone except Karl.”
“Well, after reading the report you gave me on Halifax, Sheppard Granger did get through to him.”
“Yes. Karl eventually turned his life around, and that was before he met Nyla. So, I would say Shep’s influence helped, and I’m glad.”
