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“Not on the floor,” she managed to say. “It’s a temp apartment, remember? Who knows what’s been on that carpet.”
He grinned against her lips, then started kissing her neck, moving her toward the couch.
“Not there either,” she said. “The couch came with the apartment. Bedroom.”
“Didn’t the bed come with the apartment, too?”
“Mattress topper,” she said, breathless with urgency. “Clean sheets. It’s fine. Let’s go.”
“That’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever heard.”
He walked her backward down the hall, still kissing her, running his hands up her back and into her short hair. He was rushing, bumping her against the wall, and the doorknob to the hall closet nailed her in the back.
“Oof,” she said.
His warm laugh vibrated against her. “Sorry.”
“Last door on the right,” she directed him. “Hurry it up.”
With another laugh, he picked her up and headed down the hall, kicking open the bedroom door and landing with her on the bed, a heap of tangled limbs and laughter.
At that moment, Liv paused. Morning light filtered through the half-closed blinds, illuminating the bedroom, the unmade bed, and the rumpled sheets. It felt oddly intimate. Maybe because morning sex was usually for couples, or at least for two people who had already done this at the usual time, at night, where flaws and insecurities could be hidden in the dark. This forced her to see him, to see herself, to acknowledge this moment.
The laughter faded from his eyes, sending a trace of panic through her gut. Maybe he had felt it too, the odd intimacy, and now he wanted out.
“Shit,” he said. “I don’t have a condom.”
For a split second, Liv faltered. Not because of what he’d said, but because it brought back a memory. It had been Kristina who gave Liv the safe-sex talk, years ago. And thinking about Kristina made her remember why she was here, in Durango. It wasn’t to end up in bed with a good-looking, bearded runner. But she didn’t want to think about Kristina, or Gabriela, or Scott, or Sam, and whatever had happened between all of them. She smirked up at Jeremiah, shoving all other thoughts out of her mind.
“You didn’t come prepared? I assumed you came over here planning to seduce me.”
“Not planning.” His voice held a hint of regret, and he traced her jaw with the tip of one finger. “Hoping, maybe. But I can take a rain check.”
“Never fear, I got you covered.” She reached into the top drawer of the nightstand, his hands remaining on her waist as if he didn’t want to let her get too far away.
“Please don’t tell me those came with the apartment, too,” he said.
Her laughter rang out into the morning light of her bedroom, and she rolled back toward him, putting anything but Jeremiah’s face, Jeremiah’s lips, and Jeremiah’s hands out of her mind.
twenty-seven
Where is that key, Sam? I’ve been in Durango for over a week now, and I’m no closer to finding it. I’m guessing you must keep it with you, because it wasn’t in your house.
Thanks for going away for a couple of nights, by the way. Gave me the perfect opportunity to look around your house. Your wife must have decorated it—it’s cute, all colorful, and welcoming. But you should probably get an alarm system. Without your German Shepherd there to alert the neighbors, it was easy to break in. I went through every drawer and cupboard, looked under the sofa cushions, through the attic.
I took a little rest on your daughter’s bed. Her pillow smelled nice.
Did you even notice I’d been in there, when you returned? I’m guessing not, since you didn’t call the police.
I was thorough, too. Exceptionally so. And still no sign of that fucking key—not in your house, not in your camper. I’m getting irritated, Sam.
That’s why I’ve been keeping an eye on Kristina’s sister, too. My back-up plan. I know where she’s staying, where she works, and the route she takes on her runs. Her apartment building would be a challenge to break into. But I’ll figure something out. Time is ticking away—only five weeks left. My goal was to get in and get out without anyone even knowing I was here. I’d prefer not to involve Kristina’s sister if I don’t have to. Unlike you, she’s innocent in all of this.
Unfortunately, you’re not leaving me with many options.
twenty-eight
People always say, “If you love someone, set them free.” No offense, but that’s bullshit. If you love someone, hold them as tightly as possible. And if you are lucky enough to find someone who loves you back, never let them go.
