Alone in the Dark by Marie Ferrarella Read Free Book Online Page B

The look on her face was sheer disappointment. Because of the kiss or
    what he'd said? "I'm sorry."

    The words echoed in her head. He was sorry. He thought this was a mistake. Something
    twisted inside of her and she became aware of pain. "Was it that bad?"

    "No," he told her honestly, "it was that good."

    She knew he was complicated, but this made no sense. "Then why are you sorry?"

    "I had no business kissing you."

    "I think business is the last thing either one of us had on our minds."

    She was wrong there, Brady thought. He'd meant business. It was only by exercising the
    extreme control he'd learned over the years that he'd kept from giving in to his feelings.
    What he wanted to continue feeling.

    That he felt anything at all was something he wasn't about to analyze yet. Or maybe ever.

    He'd always thought of himself as not just part of the walking wounded, but of the
    walking dead. Life within his parents' house and the subsequent shooting had deadened
    everything inside him, except for maybe a sense of duty toward his mother and his sister.
    But his mother had died and his sister had gotten married. There was no one for him to
    take care of. No reason to feel responsible or protective any longer.

    Once that was gone, he supposed that he had begun to search for something that might
    restore even that little bit inside of him. That one spark of sensation that had been left in
    the wake of his father's death.

    But this kiss had punched a hole into the metal sheeting around his soul. It had showed
    him a glimmer of a rainbow he hadn't had any idea even existed within him.

    Maybe he was just too tired. Maybe that was why he thought he felt something when
    there was actually nothing to feel.

    He was too confused to sort out his feelings tonight. He looked toward his vehicle, still
    parked across the street. "I've got to go."

    Patience nodded. It was better this way. She wasn't prepared for what her body seemed
    to want. At least Coltrane had the good sense to back away. If he'd taken the lead, drawn
    her back inside and shut the door behind them, she didn't know if she would have been
    able to put a stop to what she knew in her heart would follow.

    Rather than see him down the two steps, she retreated to the shelter of the doorway.
    "Thanks for stopping by."

    He paused for a moment, then nodded toward the door. "Don't forget to lock up."

    She laughed. Her brother and Coltrane definitely had things in common. "Now you sound
    like Patrick."

    There wasn't even a glimmer of a smile on his lips. "Then you should listen to him."

    Because he sounded so serious, Patience couldn't resist teasing him. She saluted. "Good
    night." She eased the door closed, then waited a beat.

    "The lock," she heard him growl from the other side of the door.

    She'd had a feeling he wouldn't leave until he heard the lock go into place. Patience
    laughed to herself and then flipped it. Listening, she heard the sound of his footsteps
    echoing into the night.

    Patience leaned against the door, running her fingertips over her lips. She could almost
    still feel him there. The very thought made her heart start to hammer again.

    Wasn't this a fine mess?

    "So," she murmured to the dog who stood beside her and looked up into her face, "what are we going to do about this?"

    Tacoma's answer was to retreat to the kitchen. Not only was her soup bone still there but
    the one that King had been gnawing on was there, as well.

    She could just about make out whatTacomawas doing from where she stood. "Food."
    Patience shook her head. "Nope, that's not going to help here."

    She wasn't sure if anything would.

    The next moment Patience stubbornly told herself she was making something out of
    nothing. Coltrane had kissed her. Or maybe she'd kissed him. In any event, they'd kissed
    one another and although the fireworks she felt rivaled the ones atDisneylandon the
    Fourth of July, she doubted if the officer had felt the same.

    Men never felt the