The Dark Places by R. Whitfield (novel24 TXT) 📕

“Me?” he asked sarcastically, pointing at his chest.

“Yes, you,” she smiled back.

“I’m fine, nothing five stitches and a nice finger of scotch won’t fix.” He looked at her soberly. “It’s you I’m worried about.”

Surin snorted, shaking her head. “Me, don’t be crazy, I had it under control until you showed up,” she replied.

He moved forward and brushed a dirty strand of hair out of her eyes. “I know you did.”

She shifted under his touch and then changed her mind and lent into the palm of his hand, letting his warmth take her to a safe place.

“Surin,” he said quietly, “nothing about Eamon and you will be in any report.” She opened her eyes and looked into his. “That is no one’s business but your own.”

Tears ran down her face and she sat back, wiping her nose on the itchy blanket surrounding her. “He wasn’t a bad person,” she said, suddenly feeling the need to explain.

Parker held up his hands. “Surin, I don’t need you to say anything.”

She nodded. “Thank you,” she said quietly. He reached forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into him tenderly — his need to touch her was overwhelming.

After a few minutes of total bliss, Surin reluctantly pulled herself out of his embrace, cleared her throat and the tension in the air with a cough.

“So, now would be the best time to tell you that you passed the Surin Elliott partner challenge,” she said with a tired smile. “Congratulations!” she added, clapping quietly.

He laughed and shook his head. “Thank you, thank you,” he said with a grin. “Our first case closed and here’s to many, many more,” he said, helping her out of the ambulance. “Now, let’s get you home.”

The End