“What’s up, Uncle T?” Laken lets him go, but the same can’t be said for himself.
“When you took the trash out, you see anyone around? Kids, maybe?” Given the device used, it would make sense that it was children.
“Nope. Alley was empty. As soon as I opened the lid, I saw the smoke. Those things should have gone off immediately, so they must have been faulty.” I always forget how smart he is.
“You’re sure?” Torque asks, his tone kind of intense.
Jesse frowns, thinking again. “Positive.”
“Nothing from the crowds,” Hale says as he comes over, his finger tracing the line of Laken’s jaw. Like he’s reassuring himself that she’s real.
They’re always like that. It’s both sickening and adorable in the very best ways. It’s something I’ve always wanted for myself. And as Torque’s thumb brushes across the top of my hand, my eyes drift down to watch the gentle movement, so preoccupied with it that I miss what’s being said.
“Philly?” Startled out of my thoughts, I blink and glance up, catching plenty of stares on me.
“Yeah?” The sound of screeching tires has me nearly jumping out of my skin and straight into Torque’s side, clasping his arm to my chest. It’s not until I feel his fingers tickle the top of my thigh that I realize how close we are.
But I don’t move.
“Anyone have any beef with you? Old employee? Supplier? Boyfriends?” Hale’s question makes me laugh.
“No. No one. I’m a bit isolated. I work and hang out with you guys.” It sounds a lot lonelier than it is.
“What about your dates?” Hale’s voice lowers an octave, but Torque’s fingers that were brushing across the top of my thigh are now clutching it.
“Well, I mean, they weren’t eventful or anything. Trevor was pretty boring. I’m thinking he would be too embarrassed to come around since I paid for dinner. Baxter was a pig. Torque’s your brother, and Maxen and I had fun. We made plans to have coffee this weekend.” That hand is squeezing me tighter, and Torque’s body has tensed. I’m afraid to look up at him, but my eyes have other ideas because they meet his jealous stare as it sucks the air from my lungs.
Oh my.
Torque is jealous that Maxen and I are going to have coffee. I want to tell him we’re only friends and that’s all we’ll ever be, but now isn’t the time.
“I’ll be doing a full background check on you and everyone in the building. If there’s anything I should know, now’s the time.” My frown turns into a glare as I concentrate on Hale.
“There isn’t, Hale.” Why do I feel like the suspect all of a sudden?
“Ophelia?” I spin to find my neighbor Peyton standing off to the side, her fingers wringing in front of her.
Excusing myself from them, I pull her in for a hug. Peyton is the quietest person I’ve ever met. She’s also the shyest. “Everything’s fine,” I reassure her.
“Are you sure? There’s an awful lot of police here. Was there a fire?” Her gaze skirts around me to stare at the fire truck and the crew putting their things away.
“Sort of. An attempt at one. Everything is fine, however.”
“Peyton!” a man snaps, his arms crossed over his chest as he stands in her shop’s doorway, his possessive gaze ensnaring her.
“What is he doing here?” she mutters more to herself.
“Friend of yours?” From her reaction and his matching description, I have to guess, “Is that Luca?” Every once in a while, Peyton’s crush slips free, and she talks about him. Unfortunately, she has no idea what to do with such a virile man. Her words, not mine.
“Yeah. He’s going to yell at me,” she pouts.
“I don’t think that’s what has got him all worked up.”
“What do you mean?” Her eyes narrow a tad bit.
Hugging her again, I tell her, “I’m sure you’ll understand soon enough.” If I hadn’t seen it myself, I never would have believed that beast of a man was smitten with her, but the way his eyes track her as she walks back over to him, there’s no missing it. He’s claimed that young woman and hasn’t filled her in yet.
“Ready to go, Lieutenant!” someone shouts, and I turn in time to notice Torque striding towards me.
Wrapping an arm around my waist, he drags me into his body, covering my mouth with his, and devours me. Right down to my core. He steals my gasp, teases out a moan, and nearly makes my heart explode from desire.
“I’ll see you tonight,” he grunts as he reluctantly releases me.
“Okay,” I breathe out, my lips tingling from his assault.
As he walks away and climbs into his rig, my fingers brush my bruised lips. His dominance was clear. That was a claiming kiss.
CHAPTER 3
Torque
SHE’S MINE. FUCK EVERYONE ELSE.
I barely had time to shower before I had to leave to pick Ophelia up. After the near fire at her shop, we’d barely parked the rig before being called out again to an empty building. The blaze was ready to burn the structure to the ground, but we’d gotten it out in time, saving some stray animals on the way. Which had me reeking of smoke and burning materials. I don’t want our relationship to start off with her worrying about me.
I was able to make a quick stop at the store for flowers. I took a guess and grabbed a bunch of daisies in the hopes she’d like them.
Her closed sign is just switching off as I walk around the front of the building. She’s standing in the doorway, watching, hopefully waiting for me. Once her eyes land on me, they light up with anticipation. I bite back a groan, glad she’s excited by my presence. There’s nothing more I could want. Especially after learning she’s going on another date with Maxen this weekend. Fuck, that lit a fire inside me. I’d been trying to take it slow with her, but it was clear I needed to steamroll right over her.
“Hi.” Her voice sounds breathy as she welcomes me inside.
Before I hand her the flowers, I grip the back of her neck and claim her mouth in another inferno of a kiss. She’s so fucking pliant beneath me. I could get used to her willingness to have my lips on her.
“Fuck you taste good,” I mutter as I pull away.
“Uhm…” I love the innocent blush creeping across her cheeks. “It’s the coffee.”
“No, Philly, it’s all you.” I take another taste, sweeping my tongue across her parted lips, licking into her mouth, and playing with her tongue. Groaning as I pull away, I tell her, “All you, darlin’.”
Her gaze drops to the flowers in my hand. I offer them to her, and she buries her face in the blooms, exhaling with a satisfied sigh. “I love daisies.” There’s something insanely satisfying about getting that right.
“You done in here?” I peer around the empty café, and it appears cleaned up and ready to leave for the night, but I don’t know much about running a business like this, so looks could be deceiving.
“Oh, uhm, uh,” her stuttering is fucking adorable. “I should just…double-check.” I follow behind her as she heads to the kitchen, ensuring the ovens are off and the back door is locked.