Obsession by Debra Webb Read Free Book Online Page B

system back home.”
    She did not want him to come inside. The barrage of questions that hovered on the tip of her tongue needed answering but in her present state of mind the asking would be the problem. She needed some distance. And some sleep.
    She reached for the door. He placed his hand on her arm. The feel of his palm sent a burst of heat scurrying across her skin. She really was exhausted; otherwise, she would have averted that ridiculous reaction.
    “You sure you’re okay?” He shrugged. Between the landscape and security lighting she didn’t miss the worry in his expression. “You haven’t said much since we left the church.”
    “I’m processing.” She moved her arm. “What about you? You haven’t said much either.” Stop, Jess . Taking that path right now was not a good idea.
    “I guess I’m processing, too.”
    “Well, then, I’ll see you in the morning.” Her fingers made it all the way to the door handle this time.
    “Jess.”
    Why did he have to do that? She closed her eyes for a second to clear her head before meeting his gaze. “Yes?”
    “At some point, we need to clear the air. Put the past behind us once and for all.” He exhaled a breath that was as burdened with multiple concerns as it was weary from days of intense focus. “I don’t want ten years to go by before we speak or see each other again after this case is solved.” He squeezed her arm. She flinched, hoped he didn’t notice. “I’d like to be friends.”
    Jess typically turned off her analytical side at times like this. It really wasn’t fair for her to be in assessment mode all the time. Especially among friends. But then, she and Dan Burnett weren’t friends, not in the true sense of the word. “Fine.”
    Another big sigh escaped him. “I know what fine means.” He waylaid her again, this time curling his long fingers around her forearm.
    Tension raced through her body, bumped her pulse rate into a faster rhythm. Was she never going to be able to get out of this damned vehicle?
    “What does fine mean to you, Dan .” He’d done it first, no reason she couldn’t say his name to his face, too.
    “It means,” he said, unmistakably annoyed now, “that it’s not fine at all. You’re just going to let this thing stand between us like a brick wall forever.”
    “Forever is a long time, chief. I dare say that’s one timeline we won’t have to worry about.” Unlike the one she’d drawn on that case board this evening.
    “Why do you want to leave it this way?” He threw his hands up, hit the dome light of his fancy SUV. 
    A Mercedes. The man drove a Mercedes for crying out loud. He certainly hadn’t ten years ago. He’d driven a Chevy almost as old then as her Audi was now—which she had purchased pre-owned and only after talking the salesman out of his commission.
    When had police chiefs started making that kind of money? He lived in Mountain Brook. She didn’t have to know the exact address. The neighborhood said it all. Big house, big money. Or maybe Katherine and Daniel senior bought the Mercedes for him. After all, who wanted an old worn out Chevy rolling up in this driveway?
    “You’ll leave,” he accused before she could gather her defense, “just like you did last time. And forget everyone back here exists.”
    The unwarranted exasperation in his tone almost deferred the realization that she had nothing to go back to. Her career with the Bureau was over for all intents and purposes. The so-called relationship with the man she’d almost trusted was over. Even as the thought breached her already compromised defenses the band around her finger burned her skin. 
    It was over. All of it.
    “Fine,” he muttered. “You’re right. Fine .”
    She jumped at the harshly uttered words. She’d gotten lost in her own worries and he’d assumed she had nothing to say to his comment. Truth was, she doubted he would want to hear what she actually had to say.
    Breathe, Jess .
    “We will talk. I swear.