Free Tempted by Fate by Kate Perry Page B

things.” He tugged at his collar. “Unexplainable things.”
    She stilled. “What sort of unexplainable things?”
    “The kind where a person’s blood freezes in her body.” He looked her in the eye. “The kind where a tree limb whips down and knocks a man out.”
    “What tree? There was no tree with Leonora. Max—” She snapped her mouth shut.
    Ramirez studied her closely. “Max what?”
    “Nothing. Don’t expect me to betray my husband’s confidence.”
    Gabrielle chose that moment to return. “Everything okay here?” she asked, looking at her friend.
    Carrie nodded, smiling weakly. “We’re fine. Rick might need another drink, though.”
    Gabrielle’s expression turned on him, her hostility more than obvious. “Do you? It’s last call.”
    “No.”
    She pointed at Carrie. “Refill?”
    “No thanks.” She patted Gabrielle’s hand.
    That seemed to reassure the woman somewhat, but it didn’t stop her from pointing her finger at him andsaying, “I’m watching you. You do something to upset her and you’re toast.”
    They both watched Gabrielle slip under the bar again and begin to clean up. Ramirez glanced at his watch. So much had happened, it seemed like it should have been later than it was.
    “Sorry about Gabe. Ever since I told her I was knocked up, she’s been superprotective.” Carrie shook her head. “Between her and Max, I’m going insane. Max actually insisted on bathing me the other day.”
    Ramirez cocked an eyebrow. “Did he?”
    Her face flushed red, and she slapped his arm. “Stop.”
    “You’re the one who said it.”
    “I just meant he’s being overly protective.”
    “Understandable. I’d do the same.” Not that he’d ever believe he’d have kids—not when he couldn’t even sustain a relationship. Ramirez glanced at her stomach, trying to picture himself in Prescott’s shoes. Yes, he’d be every bit as protective, offering to wash her long, pale hair.
    He frowned. Where the hell did that thought come from?
    “Uh-oh. You’re thinking about her again.”
    “Have you become a mind reader since you’ve gotten pregnant?”
    “Nah, I’m just attuned.” She looked sideways at him. “So what’s her name?”
    “I don’t know.” He picked up his shot glass, forgetting it was empty, and set it back down in disgust.
    Carrie wrinkled her nose. “You don’t know? You haven’t talked to her?”
    “I have.”
    “Unless you want to be here all night, you better just tell me everything. And I don’t think you want to be up all night. You look tired.”
    He gave her a flat look. “Is that a subtle way of saying I look like shit?”
    “Pretty much.” She propped her elbow on the counter and rested her chin in her hand. “I’m waiting.”
    What did he say about her? He searched for the right words. He surprised himself by saying, “She’s like a lone wolf.”
    Carrie nodded. “Takes one to know one.”
    “What does that mean?”
    “You aren’t exactly a social creature. Don’t look at me like that. You know you’re a loner. When was the last time you went out?”
    “Where?”
    “See.” She rolled her eyes. “You never go out, much less socialize. I don’t even know if you have friends.”
    Other than the guys on the force, he didn’t, but he wasn’t about to admit that to her.
    “How long has it been since you’ve gone on a date?” she asked.
    He blinked. “A date?”
    “Where you partake in refreshments, discuss topical matters, and exchange bodily fluids. Not necessarily in that order.”
    He’d had a short affair with that attractive prosecutor a year ago. She’d been going through a divorce and he’d been happy to be her rebound fling. He hadn’t been near anyone’s body fluids since… well, not until tonight. “My caseload has been busy.”
    “Uh-huh.” She rolled her eyes. “So you’re saying if awoman threw herself at you, you’d be too busy to get it on with her?”
    He pictured the way
Sophie
—he really hated that