Free Shiver by Cynthia Cooke Page B

instead?
    A twig broke behind them. She gasped and turned as fear careened through her chest. Someone is out there—watching.
    He followed her gaze. “What is it?”
    She scanned the trees and bushes for any sign of movement. “Just jumpy, I guess.” She let out a shaky breath and turned back to him. He was big and strong enough to protect her. She would be okay as long as he stayed with her. But would he?
    “Don’t worry,” he said, apparently reading her thoughts. “You’re perfectly safe here. No one knows where you are.”
    She looked into his dark brown eyes and wished she could believe him, wished she could trust him. But every time she looked at him like this, his gaze seemed to do something to her senses. It knocked her off-kilter and made her feel self-conscious, like she couldn’t rely on her instincts.
    “I can’t shake the feeling that someone is watching me,” she admitted, feeling slightly foolish.
    He took her hand and gave it a squeeze, sending a jolt coursing through her. “You’re going to have to trust me to do my job. We’ll get to the bottom of your mystery man at the hospital and whether or not he was the one who broke your window.”
    Dismayed by the warmth seeping through her, she pulled her hand away. “And if he murdered Michelle.”
    “Exactly.”
    Fatigue filled her and, for a moment, she ached to lean into his strong chest and let it all go. Let someone else take care of her for a change.
    Luckily, Riley turned and continued down the path. Longing for something he could never give her ballooned inside Devra as she watched him walk away. She shook off her disappointment and followed him. She needed food was all. The sooner she ate and went to bed, the better. A good night’s sleep would put this new situation into perspective—would put him into perspective. He wasn’t her knight in shining armor; he was a cop who could send her away. She’d do well not to forget that.
    They were almost back at his house when she noticed a speedboat rocking gently against the dock. “Is it yours?” she asked, immediately entranced by the vessel.
    “Sure is. Want to go for a ride?”
    The little craft tempted her. What safer place could there be than on a boat in the middle of a river. She could almost imagine what it must feel like to have the breeze blowing her hair and her fingers trailing in the water. But she couldn’t. She needed food, sleep—
    “Okay,” she found herself responding and wasn’t at all certain where it had come from. “Maybe a boat ride is just what I need.”
    “Good. We can break off the main channel, go down into the swamps and catch us an alligator or two.”
    Her eyes widened. So much for trailing fingers. “Can’t we just sit in it?”
    He laughed—a warm laugh that started deep in his chest and filled the air around them. Something lurched inside her at the rich, hearty sound. Suddenly, she was noticing a lot more than long legs and a perfectly molded chest. More than boyish charm and a casual curl to his hair. There was the way his eyes, when warm, turned her insides to goo. And a hearty dose of sincerity, in a man that could be quite dangerous.
    “Then again, maybe not. I should unpack,” she said on a rush of air. She should be alone, safe and secure in the confines of her room. Away from these manicured, lush grounds that could hide anything and away from this handsome, laughing man who was suddenly muddling her thoughts and senses.
    “Hello, brother.” A large dark-haired, dark-eyed man appeared from behind a clump of trees.
    Riley’s laugh died on his lips.
    “Who’s the little filly you brought home this time?” The man edged closer, looking her up and down.
    Not liking him on sight, Devra stiffened. There was something dangerous about him, something off.
    Thick eyebrows formed a menacing scowl as if he didn’t like what he saw. “And didn’t you pick a hell of a fine time to do it.”
    Riley stepped between them, blocking her.