Witness Seduction (16 page)

A glimmer of guilt filled his eyes. He opened his mouth, but she raised her hand, adding, “At least
ask
me first, will you?”

The guilt faded into amusement. His smile consumed his entire face as he drew her into his arms and bent close to her ear. “There will never be another video tape of you again, sweetheart. Unless you want it.” His voice grew husky as he murmured, “And if you do, let’s make sure you’re naked next time. I really like it when you’re naked.”

Laughing, Marley wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned in for one of Caleb’s warm, toe-curling kisses. As their lips met, her heart sang with delight and forgiveness and trust.

And most importantly, love.

Eight months later

“S
O WHAT DO YOU THINK
?”
Marley asked, holding up the two paint swatches so Caleb could give his opinion.

He frowned. “They’re both green.”

“Actually, this one is Serene Forest and this one is Leafy Splendor.”

“They’re
green
.”

Marley sighed. Okay, it was official. When it came to paint advice, Caleb was terrible. From now on, she’d just ask her dad or brother for input.

“I’m picking Leafy Splendor,” she said. “If you don’t like it, tough.”

Caleb looked beyond relieved. “You know, it amazes me that it took you this long to figure out I don’t know anything about picking colors. Put a hammer or paintbrush in my hand and tell me what to do, and I’m fine, but colors? That’s your job, sweetheart.”

“I’m just trying to let you in on the decision-making process. That’s what engaged couples do, you know.” She held up her left hand and wiggled her ring finger. The diamond engagement ring sparkled under the kitchen light.

Caleb’s mouth curved in a crooked smile, not so rare these days. He always seemed to be smiling when they were together. “I still can’t get enough of hearing that word.
Engaged.
”

The wonder in his eyes made her smile, too. She knew exactly what he meant. She couldn’t stop looking down at the ring, just to make sure she hadn’t imagined its presence.

The past eight months with Caleb had been the best of her life. She still couldn’t believe all the changes he’d made for her. Leaving the DEA, taking the detective job with the San Diego Police Department. Ironically, his partner was none other than Miguel Hernandez, but Marley had begun warming up to the man who’d formerly treated her like a criminal. Hernandez had apologized numerous times for his behavior, though she’d barely thought about any of that for months now.

She’d have to think about it again soon, however. Patrick’s trial started next month, and she’d been called as a witness. With all the charges her ex faced, she doubted her testimony even mattered. Murder, trafficking, attempted kidnapping, attempted murder. The prosecutor had assured Marley that Patrick would be in jail for the rest of his life, a notion that pleased her immensely.

But she didn’t dwell on Patrick much anymore. What she and Caleb had was better than anything she could have imagined. Love, trust, laughter… Even her brother admitted the two of them made a scarily perfect match. It didn’t hurt that Caleb had helped Sam and Marley’s dad finish a huge construction job the other month. Nothing to kick-start some male bonding like renovating a house.

Caleb grabbed the Leafy Splendor paint swatch from the counter and sighed. “So, Color World?”

She was about to nod, but then she met his eyes, and the familiar expression on his face made her laugh.

“Don’t give me the sex look,” she said, wagging her finger. “One of these days you’re just going to have to suck it up and buy some paint with me.”

“One of these days,” he agreed. He let the paint swatch drop from his hand and moved his fingers to her mouth, stroking her lips as his blue eyes smoldered with heat. “But today? No, I think we can find something more interesting to do.”

She tilted her head. “Prove it.”

With a grin, Caleb removed every scrap of clothing from her body.

And proved to her that there were, indeed,
much
more important things than paint.