Darkness Torn Asunder by Alexis Morgan Read Free Book Online

restaurant? I don’t know about you, but lunch was a long time ago.”
    Emmett immediately stepped back and opened the door. “Sure thing. I can still drive if you’d rather not walk. It’s not exactly raining, but it’s pretty damp out there.”
    She followed him outside and locked the door. “I’ve been cooped up inside all day, so I’d rather walk if you don’t mind.”
    “Fine with me. After being locked up for so long, I like spending as much time outside as I can.”
    Jana couldn’t imagine what it had been like for Emmett. If he ever wanted to talk about his time inside, she’d listen but wouldn’t press him for details. It was his story to share or not as he chose. It wasn’t as if she had an uncontrollable urge to pour out all the sordid details about any mistakes she’d made in her own life.
    Now wasn’t the time for such gloomy thoughts, so she shoved them to the furthest recesses of her mind, where they belonged. Looping her arm through Emmett’s as they walked, she savored the damp marine air, the wisps of fog that softened the rough edges of the night, and the solid strength of the man beside her.

Chapter 5
    D inner had been every bit as delicious as Jana had promised. Emmett couldn’t remember the last time he’d had lasagna and fresh baked bread. Regardless, he doubted it had been anywhere near as good. They’d also shared a bottle of red wine and an order of tiramisu. Finally, they’d lingered over coffee with some chocolate biscotti.
    Unfortunately, even the best of times had to come to an end. Emmett worked evenings and could sleep in tomorrow, but Jana had to be at the clinic bright and early in the morning. As they headed out of the restaurant, she took his hand in hers, that small connection making him even more reluctant for the evening to end.
    She paused to smile up at the night sky. “It’s such a pleasant night despite the weather.” Emmett would do anything to spend more time in her company even if it meant walking in the rain. “I wouldn’t mind taking the long way back to your car.”
    Jana’s smile faded as she squeezed his hand. “I’d like that, too, but I really should get back home. Morning comes pretty early for me.”
    He dutifully headed back the way they’d come. Neither of them spoke much as they walked, but the silence between them was comfortable. They’d talked a lot over dinner, keeping to safe topics like sports and music. She liked baseball better than football; he liked blues better than country. Not much in the way of deep dark secrets, but he soaked up each bit of information she shared with him.
    They reached her car all too quickly, but at least she didn’t act as if she was in a hurry to leave. He should probably say something memorable, but right now all he could think about was kissing her again.
    And again.
    He stared down at her pretty face, liking how the evening mist sparkled like glitter on her dark hair. “Thanks for tonight, Jana. I really enjoyed myself.”
    “Me, too, Emmett. I guess I’ll see you tomorrow night when you’re on Dumpster duty.”
    It took him a second to make sense of what she meant. He suspected his cheeks flushed a bit red. “Believe me, I know you’re an adult woman, but I still don’t like you walking down the street by yourself.”
    She patted him on the cheek. “You’re a sweet man, Emmett, but you don’t have to stand guard duty every night.”
    Before he could protest, Jana added, “But if you happen to be on break when I get off work, you can always walk me to my car. I’d be glad for the company.”
    He bet his grin was a mile wide. “Okay, then, it’s a date.”
    Jana took his hand in hers again and turned his wrist so that she could read his watch. “I really do need to head home, but isn’t there one thing you want to do first?”
    Was she hinting that they should end the evening the same way they’d begun it? God, he hoped so. His mind instantly filled with images of all the other ways