Shot in the Dark by Jennifer Conner Read Free Book Online

terrified of a man touching her after what happened last night, but for some strange reason she wanted Devan to touch her, kiss her.
    It had been over six months since she’d broken down and had a one-night fling. What was his name? Bob? Rob ? The sex had been forgettable and he’d been in and out of her, and her apartment, in less than two hours. Pre-med occupied Luci’s mind with a different kind of anatomy than she’d get at the nightclubs with her girlfriends.
    Every day she was busy with homework assignments. Nothing was more important to her right now. Education was her only path out. Her career as an acupuncturist would allow her a better life than the one her mother had felt chained to.
    Luci wondered why she’d never asked this cute detective out? Maybe because he never seemed approachable.
    Maybe he has a girlfriend… or worse, a wife.
    Geeze, and I asked him to spend the night? She’d kissed him before she knew anything about him. Her gaze dropped to his left hand.
    No ring, and no indent where a ring had been. Maybe he didn’t have a significant other. That was good because she was getting overheated just watching the man sleep.
    Devan filled a good section of the couch with his slumbering form. The once dark blue T-shirt he wore was washed to a faded blue and accentuated his broad chest. The leather holster holding his gun rested against his side.
    A muscle in the bicep of his arm twitched. She liked strong, solid arms. Devan had great arms. If he looked this good with clothes on, what would he look like naked? Was he this big all over? Did his skin taste as good as his lips?
    All male. Luci swallowed.
    Leaning forward, she reached out and traced a finger along his lower lip. Instantly, he jumped back, startling both of them and reached for his side-arm.
    “Hey!” Luci’s heart pounded in her chest. “Don’t shoot.” She raised her hands in defense.
    Devan rubbed a hand roughly over his face. “What are you doing? Dammit… don’t do that.”
    “You’re a little jumpy, aren’t you? I told you to lay off the coffee.” She couldn’t help but let out a nervous laugh. “In the morning it’s good to know that you reach for your gun when there’s a woman next to you. I’ll heed the warning.”
    “I don’t usually ‘wake up’ with a woman next to me. I leave the night before.” Straightening, he cracked his neck to the side.
    “Well that’s good to know too. Are you the kind of guy that makes coffee before he leaves, or are you out the door as quickly as possible?”
    “You’re the barista, why should I make the coffee?” he grumbled and unbent his knee with a grimace.
    His comment made Luci laugh out loud. “Hey, you made a joke. I didn’t think you had it in you. Is there a comical side that you keep in the closet?”
    He glared at her. “What time is it?”
    “Eight.” She reached for his hand. “Thanks for staying here last night,” she said sincerely.
    “Yeah… well. Someone has to take you back to your car. Then I’ll follow you into the station and do a follow-up report.”
    Luci paused and bit her lip. “Do I need to call the owner of the espresso stand, and tell him what happened?”
    “I’m sure Brady or Wallace did that last night, but I’ll check.” Devan leaned forward and groaned. “I know this sounds strange, but could you give me a minute—alone?”
    Luci nodded, feeling confused as she headed toward the kitchen. Pulling the tea kettle from the back of the stove she filled it with water and lit the burner. From the living room she heard Devan grunt, swear, and then the echo from the metallic click of the cane on the floor as he headed for the bathroom.
    Was he embarrassed for her to see him struggle to stand? Why would he be embarrassed about that, after the big blubbering mess she’d been last night?
    He was a guy, and most guys hated showing any signs of weakness, but so did she.
    We make quite a pair, don’t we?
    The idea of being linked with Devan