The Perfect Couple (Last Stand #4)(81)
Author: Brenda Novak

He’d made love to Zoe three times since she’d overheard him talking to Sheridan, but it wasn’t enough. He wanted to do it again and again–until she finally relented and…what?

Began to care. That was it. He hated that she was holding back. He’d accused her of being closed off, but she’d actually begun to feel a real connection. He was the one who’d blown it.

He told himself it was better that she knew about Sheridan, that it was more honest.

But was it really?

He angled his head to watch her sleep. Had he ruined what they’d shared on purpose–because she’d surprised him? Because she hadn’t held him at arm’s length as he’d expected her to? He’d had to put a stop to what was developing between them, didn’t he? He’d felt the potential, the threat. It had been far more powerful than any encounter he’d experienced before, even more powerful than what he’d felt for Maria….

Shifting his attention to the alarm clock, he waited for the second hand to tick its way to seven o’clock. He didn’t want to analyze his own feelings, but the questions he’d already asked forced another: Was Sheridan really standing between them? Or was it the hurt and disappointment he’d experienced with Maria? The fear of letting himself love again–and allowing those feelings to culminate in a serious relationship, with all the struggles and potential pitfalls that entailed? Had he set his sights on Sheridan simply because he’d known she was safe? That she’d always care about him but not in a way that would ever threaten his freedom? Was that why he’d never declared himself or tried to advance the relationship?

There had to be a reason. He hadn’t really tried with Sheridan, or she wouldn’t have needed Cain or anyone else to tell her how he felt. He’d been happy to remain friends indefinitely. Why?

Zoe stirred beside him. "We’ve got to get up." She’d mumbled as if trying to convince herself to open her eyes, and he understood why she might be reluctant. She was in bed with a man she’d known only a week.

And her daughter was still missing. Daylight put an end to the brief respite.

Scooping her into his arms, he buried his face in her neck. She stiffened slightly, as if having him be so affectionate without sexual intent took her by surprise–even put her on the defensive. He wasn’t sure why he’d done it. He’d acted on impulse. But it felt right. Almost as good as making love.

"Maybe today will be the day," he said.

"I hope so." She stopped fighting her natural inclination to curve into him. "I’m going to circulate the new flyers as much as possible, then maybe I’ll go over to the hospital this morning. I–I know I should probably give Toby and his parents some space, but…I have to be there, rooting for him."

"I understand."

"What about you?"

"I’ll be here for part of the morning. I have half a dozen people screaming for my attention, wondering why I’ve suddenly disappeared from their cases. And I need to make a few more calls to various cabin-rental companies."

"Detective Thomas said he’s meeting with you this morning, too."

"And there’s that. We plan to compare impressions of our various interviews."

"Thank you," she said.

"You’re welcome."

She clasped his face between her two hands. "No, I mean it. I–I don’t know how I would’ve gotten through this so far without you."

As he gazed down at her, something passed between them, something he was hesitant to name or even acknowledge. But on his part it had a possessive quality, along with a strong desire to protect.

"We’d better get up." She moved as if she expected him to let her go that easily, but he caught her before she could go anywhere.

"What?" she said.

Too confused to put what he was feeling into words, he gave up trying to talk and kissed her. It started out as a gentle melding of their mouths. But when she parted her lips, gentle quickly turned into passionate. He slid his hand down her flat stomach to find the warm, wet softness he already craved. "Make love to me one more time," he murmured.

Then the phone rang.

With a sigh, he rolled onto his side. His heart was hammering too fast to answer immediately, but he knew he’d lost Zoe’s interest–and he didn’t blame her one bit.

"It could be good news," she said.

It could also be bad. The way she bit her bottom lip told him she knew that as well as he did.

Grabbing his cell phone from the nightstand, he said hello even though he was still a little breathless.

"Jon? Is it too early?"

Jasmine. "No. Did you get my package?"

"It just arrived."

He’d paid to have it delivered before ten, Louisiana time. "And…"

"And the energy around it is so strong I could feel Sam the second I took the teddy bear out of the box."

He sat up. "That’s good…isn’t it?"

"She’s alive. I’m sure of it."

Zoe raised herself to lean against the headboard, holding the blankets to her chest. He sensed that she felt completely vulnerable. What little she had in the way of defenses, she’d reserved for him.

"Can you tell me any more?"

"When I close my eyes, I hear birds. Lots of birds. More than you’d notice in a city. I think she’s outside somewhere. Maybe in a forest. It’s cool, dank, even dark."

"Right now? In the daylight?"

"She’s inside something. That’s what it feels like. Enclosed."

Listening to Jasmine work was fascinating. She spewed out the impressions as they hit her. But what Jonathan had heard so far didn’t tell him much about where to find Sam. Sacramento sprawled at the base of the Sierra Nevada, which meant the foothills weren’t far away. There were miles and miles of forest, all within easy driving distance. "Are there more noises?

Any scents?"

"Nothing."

"Keep trying, Jas."

"I’m afraid the only other detail I can relate is one you won’t want to hear."

He swallowed hard. "What is it?"

"She’s extremely weak. This girl needs help, Jon. And she needs it fast or–" She didn’t finish. Jasmine’s "gift" put her in touch with some very poignant emotions. He knew it was a sacrifice for her to get involved at all, but she was a strong woman who did anything she could to fight for victims of crime. She didn’t shy away from her impressions just because they could be painful.

He glanced at Zoe.

"What is it?" Her voice was reedy.

"Jasmine believes that Sam is alive."

Her fingers clenched the blankets. "Thank God. But…where is she?

Can Jasmine help us find her?"

"She thinks Sam’s in a forest somewhere."