Page 49 of Hostile Witness
Wiping the grass from her face, she continued. “No one will take me against my will ever again. This out here today wasn’t personal, but you had to see for yourself.”
Tia rose. “I’m half in love with you, Ethan. But you must understand my boundaries. You need to ask permission instead of assuming control over my life, and that includes touching my phone and installing cameras in my yard.”
Ethan took a ragged breath. “Full disclosure, there’s a second camera in the backyard, and I put a tracker on your car, too.”
“What? Why?” She stared down at him, one hand on a hip, utterly confused.
He sat back on his haunches. “Because I care, T. Probably too much.” He swiped at the blood on his hand. “I want you safe, and you act all nonchalant about your security. I don’t want to lose you. I’ve lost so many people I care about. I couldn’t handle losing you, too.”
His balls hurt so bad he sat on the lawn and slowly stretched his legs out. “By a stroke of pure providence, we came back into each other’s lives. You saw what that madman did to Lieutenant Plante. I’ll be damned if I give him a chance to do that to you. He’s got your address, T.”
Shaking his head, he said, “I think I love you more than halfway. My whole world righted itself when you walked back into it. I’d swear the sun shines brighter when you smile.”
Tia dropped to her knees facing him. Pressing her lips to his, she murmured, “Come in the house, Detective. I’ll get you an ice bag for your face and those peas for your balls.”
29
Vince flinched in the front seat of his car as the red-haired lady cop disabled the detective.Oof, that had to hurt.Who’s the big man now, Mr. Detective?Vince was in his car, one street over from Tia’s, with a clear view through the yards. Binoculars were a handy way to watch the goings-on in the neighborhood from a distance.
Well, hell. Today wouldn’t be the day he’d get that dog. He’d scratch all of his neatly laid plans and start over, which was damn inconvenient considering he’d hoped to move to a new town sometime this week.
He’d need more equipment to deal with the redhead. Just because he recognized her self-defense moves didn’t mean he had the skill to fight her. Look at the massive dude lying on the grass. The man still hadn’t gotten up.
It was a damn shame he had to wait and plan some more. Sometimes the itch to strike again was unbearable. However, he’d been patient with Margie and had waited until she was her most vulnerable.
How would he disable the redhead? Shooting her wouldn’t be any fun. He wanted to play with her first.
Ethan easeddown gingerly onto a kitchen chair. He would’ve preferred a softer seat, but he was covered in dirt and grass stains just like Tia. The woman could kick some serious ass, and as soon as his body stopped screaming in pain, he’d be proud of her.
Tia grabbed an ice bag and peas from the freezer and straddled his lap. “Here. Put these peas where you want, and I’ll hold the ice pack on your face.” She chuckled. “I kind of wondered if I’d be the one needing these today.”
Ethan swung the peas under his leg and sighed with relief. He let her perch on his legs again. “I can hold the bag myself,” he said, pressing it on his cheek. “Your hits are extremely accurate.”
“Thank you. I’ve worked at it. Do you want a beer or a cup of tea?”
“I wouldn’t mind a bottle of water and a few ibuprofen, if you have them.”
“Coming right up.” After placing both requests on the table, she straddled his legs again. “I’m so sorry you’re in pain. If it’s any consolation, you can keep the cameras up and the car locator in place. It isn’t that I don’t take security seriously, but I have Flynn and a gun. I handle myself pretty well. I was just madder than hell because you went into my phone and installed the camera without my permission.”
He laughed wryly. “When I looked at the situation from your point of view, you had a right to get upset. When is your security system being installed?”
She bit her lip and thought a second. “Ten days from now.”
Ethan glanced around. “Where’s Flynn?”
Tia cocked her head and smiled. “Remember? He’s upstairs in my room so he couldn’t watch us sparring. I’ll get him.”
She went to move, but he tugged her back. “Wait a minute. I like you here. Let’s talk about the things we said outside.” He pulled the ponytail holder from her hair and watched in fascination as the curls tumbled. And then it hit him. He didn’t want to talk at all.
Tia ran her hands up his chest and looped them around his neck. “You’re looking at me like I’m a box of lemon doughnuts, Detective.”
He ran his thumb along her bottom lip and remembered the clinging powdered sugar. She was like his very own lemon doughnut, a little bit tart and a whole lot of sweet. His resolve snapped, and he pulled her flat against his chest, taking her mouth with greedy kisses and little nips.
She eased back, bathing his bruised face with angel kisses, whispering, “I’m sorry about the shiner.”
“Don’t be. I asked for it.” His voice had turned to gravel, and they were right back into devouring each other. He couldn’t kiss her deep enough. He couldn’t feel enough skin. At some point, it dawned on him that his equipment was working just fine, and he removed the bag of peas, tossing it onto the table.
Her soft squeals and little noises drove him onward. He wanted to please her. He hadn’t wanted to please any woman in a long time, but Tia—she urged him higher and higher with her barely audible sighs and the way she traced his ear with her tongue. It was maddening.