“It was my pleasure.”
Her small hand reached up, and she traced my face, holding me captivated.
“What are you thinking about?” I asked.
“How reading your notes today on old cases makes me feel like I know you a little better. I see you more deeply now, Crow.”
“Is that so? How deep are we talking?”
“You like to portray yourself as easygoing, like someone who doesn’t have a care in the world. But your cases mean something to you. Reading your notes, the layers beyond the surface words were clear. The emotions behind each scribble of your handwriting. You get 100 percent invested, and it’s in the way you detail everything out. You’re a dissectologist—”
“A what?” I laughed.
“It’s a fancy word for a puzzler. It’s a good thing. I’m one too, so you’re not alone.”
“That’s good to know.” I smiled at her attempt to connect.
“Anyway, the more complex the case, the more detailed the picture. It was interesting reading the notes from start to finish and seeing that your predictions were spot on before the outcome was met and the case closed.”
She straddled me as we talked, and her hands moved up to touch the center of my forehead as she spoke. “Judging by your notes, each one of those people is still with you here.” Her fingers moved across my forehead before she drove them into my hair and massaged my head like I’d seen her do with Alek.
I was so mesmerized by her, and goose bumps broke out on my arms as she traced her hand down my chest and rested one of them on my heart. “And theylive here still too. Even though the cases are closed, the people will never leave you.”
“And you got all that from reading my notes, huh?”
She nodded shyly. My hands moved down farther beneath her dress until I found her ass. I gripped it, trying to get the feeling of being exposed to go away. I needed to focus on something else. She confused me in so many ways.
“I think you need to go get ready for your phone call. It’s almost time. Promise me something, though.” I waited for her nod, and once she gave it, I spoke again. “Use your time wisely with Marcel.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“Do you know what you’re going to talk to him about?”
“Nope, not a single idea.”
Something told me she was lying. I chuckled and stood her up in front of me. Without thinking, I stared up at her and whispered, “Kiss me.”
She leaned down, and our lips met with the passion of two hungry lovers. A groan sounded deep in the back of my throat as she moaned, and I continued ravishing her lips, savoring how she tasted.
Elena sauntered into my office, catching us. “Oh, sorry, Mr. King. I forgot you had Kinsley with you today.”
“It’s okay, Elena. Ms. Taylor has a phone call to make,” I said, my voice husky with desire. “What did you need?” I asked, thankful for the interruption. Marcel had asked me to call him prior to his meeting with Kinsley, and I needed to clear my head.
Kinsley’s face fell, watching our exchange, and the look of jealousy on her face was both sweet and sobering. The door clicked behind her, and Elena handed me a note from a newer client who wanted to set up a meeting. She left shortly after, and I dialed Marcel and put him on the screen.
It was almost 11 p.m. for him in London. He had a drink in hand but was still in his suit. Appearances were important to him, and I wondered what he’d think of Kinsley. A part of me couldn’t wait to hear his assessment later.
We briefly caught up on general life topics and how things were going back home with our businesses. But he soon turned the conversation to Kinsley. Waves of curiosity poured from him.
“Half her paperwork was left blank.” He grinned as he waved the printed forms in his hands.
“Is that good or bad?”
“It’s not surprising. It could be either, honestly. I won’t know until I ask.”
Like all of us, Marcel had telltale signs we’d all come to know and could easily read. A dose of adrenaline ran through him, despite the late hour. He lived for moments like this. He and I shared the same love for putting pieces together, and those small bits of information he had on Kinsley made her intriguing to him.
The breakdown she’d had the other evening when he asked about New Haven was all the proof he needed. She clearly had some trauma to deal with. Unpacking it was what he did best.
