Free Witness Seduction by Elle Kennedy Page B

me. That’s all I can tell you, Detective.”
    “Okay, then. We’ll get on this email development right away.” Scowling at Caleb, Hernandez took a step toward the doorway. “And if he tries to make contact again, call us immediately.”
    Nodding, Marley led the detective out of her kitchen and walked him to the front door. Caleb trailed behind them, his shoulders stiff. She offered Hernandez a polite thank-you for his help, then leaned against the door frame and watched as he strode to his car with her laptop under his arm.
    The engine of the black sedan roared to life, and then Hernandez drove off. Marley turned to face Caleb. “I appreciate your sticking up for me like that, but I don’t know if it was a good idea for you to interfere with Hernandez.”
    She still couldn’t believe he’d done it. He didn’t even know her, yet he’d reprimanded the detective, the conviction in his voice so strong when he’d insisted she couldn’t be helping Patrick.
    “He’ll get over it,” Caleb said, shrugging.
    “You’re a good man, Caleb. Not many people would defend someone they’ve only known a few days. For all you know, I really could be helping Patrick.”
    “You wouldn’t do that,” he said, sounding gruff.
    Despite her reservations emotion filled her chest, making Marley’s throat tighten. His faith in her came as an odd relief. She normally didn’t care what people thought. As long as her family and close friends knew what kind of person she was, it didn’t matter what jerks like Hernandez believed. But knowing that Caleb trusted her brought an unexpected rush of pleasure.
    She realized she was starting to like him a lot. Not just because he’d caught her when she’d fallen off the roof or because he’d offered to help her renovate. There was something about his quiet strength and rare laughter that made her heart jump. She was shocked at how quickly her feelings were growing.
    “I have to go,” he said, then cleared his throat. “I’m next door if you need me. If anything happens, if your ex causes any trouble, don’t hesitate to come and get me, okay? Day or night, Marley.”
    All she could do was nod, amazed by the sincerity in his deep voice. He really meant it. He would actually be willing to protect her, a woman he’d just met. Maybe there were some good and decent men left in this world.
    As his hand reached for the doorknob, she burst out, “Wait.”
    Caleb turned. “Yeah?”
    Without another word, she eliminated the distance between them, cupped his strong jaw with both hands, and kissed him.
    Like placing a hand on a hot stove, her body got an immediate reaction from the feel of his firm lips against hers. Heat torpedoed into her, and she deepened the kiss, needing to taste him. He hesitated when she ran her tongue along the seam of his lips, seeking entry, but then he let her in.
    She flicked her tongue over his, eliciting a ragged groan from deep in his throat. He was restraining himself, and she didn’t like it. So she pressed her body closer to his and wrapped her arms around him. Feeling bold, she let her hands skim down his body to touch his taut ass. Gave it a little squeeze, too.
    Caleb chuckled against her mouth. “Did you just squeeze my butt?”
    “Mmm-hmm.” She brushed her lips over his. “Are you complaining?” Without letting him reply, she kissed him again. Caleb was so darn reserved all the time. She wanted to see some of his control crumble, wanted to feel him let go.
    She got her wish seconds later, when he suddenly released a husky growl and returned the kiss with fervor. And then he was touching her, his warm hands stroking her hips, caressing her belly, reaching around to cup her bottom. He squeezed her the way she’d just done to him, then moved his hands back to her waist and began to drag his palms over her stomach, slowly traveling up to her breasts.
    Her nipples pebbled, her core burning with passion. Marley shivered, whimpered, then gasped when he