Lenina sat on the sofa beside her father while Sergeant Blake stood close by. She held her mug with both hands, sipping slowly as if that might steady the race of her heart. It didn’t, but the show of calm made the reality easier to attain.
Nick, after glancing at his watch, sprinted upstairs to get dressed. She heard him banging drawers and slamming cupboards, searching for a shirt that didn’t need ironing.
‘Good morning,’ the voice came from her left. Low. Soft. Smooth like the sweet silk of expensive chocolate. ‘I’m Detective Sergeant Tristen Blake.’ He extended his hand. ‘You look very familiar; have we met before?’
After a glance at the proffered hand, Ray folded his own in his lap. ‘I’m Raymond Miller and no we haven’t. What do you want?’
Blake retracted his hand, eyebrows arched towards his hairline. He glanced at Lenina, then adjusted his tie, running a finger along the inside of his collar. ‘I’m following up last night’s attack. I’m sure you already know the details from Lenina?’
Ray pursed his lips. ‘No, my daughter hasn’t told me anything of the sort. Though I’m sure she was planning to.’
Leaning further over the mug of tea seemed safer than answering.
Tristen cleared his throat, ‘I’m sorry to come unannounced, but I need to ask Lenina— Miss Miller— more questions.’
She glanced up, surprised by the correction. He caught her gaze and widened his eyes before looking past her. When she followed his line of sight she realised her father was staring at them with pursed lips and a wrinkled brow.
Freeing one hand from the mug, she placed it on his knee. ‘It sounds worse than it was, Daddy. Some madman attacked me in the park last night.’
Ray gnawed his bottom lip. ‘I assumed you were hiding a love bite.’
Lenina flashed back on the sensation of blood dripping down the side of her neck. The wet crunch as the ginger stranger plunged his teeth into the side of her throat. ‘No,’ she whispered.
‘Did you get an appointment for those blood tests?’ Sergeant Blake spoke softly.
Ray frowned. ‘What blood tests?’
The look in the detective’s eye showed he realised his mistake. Little spots of pink formed on his cheeks. ‘I suggested that Miss Miller book in for some blood tests against blood-borne diseases.’
‘He bit me, Daddy.’ Lenina spoke to the floor. ‘And I bit his hand.’
‘This was last night. Why didn’t you tell me?’
‘Because I knew you’d freak out.’
‘Am I not allowed to worry about my daughter?’ He turned away, rubbing his mouth with the tips of his fingers. Fine tremors rippled over his shoulders, tension singing through every limb.
As she stared at his distraught expression, Lenina’s shoulders slumped. She touched his knee. ‘I’m sorry, Daddy . . . I should have said something.’
Ray’s eyes glimmered with the unmistakable shine of unshed tears. ‘You could have died.’
‘I wouldn’t go that far, sir.’ Blake fussed with the cuffs of his suit jacket. ‘The individual Miss Miller described is dangerous, but I don’t think he’s capable of killing anybody.’
‘You know that for sure?’
Lenina jerked away from her father’s knee. She recognised the icy stab of Ray’s tone and prepared to weather the inevitable storm. Though she longed to warn the detective of the danger, he spoke before she could catch his eye.
‘We have profilers. I also have some experience in the area.’
‘Really? How old are you?’
‘I fail to see how that’s relevant.’
‘Experience is relevant, Detective. You seem young. I want to know how your experience is going to help my daughter.’
Sergeant Blake tucked a curl of hair behind his ear. ‘I’m thirty, Mr Miller. And I’m a trained detective, this is my job.’
‘Then do it properly. This crazy person attacked my daughter in public and you tell me he’s not dangerous? Where was Nick through all this?’
‘Coming to get me.’ Lenina re-entered the conversation with a whisper. ‘It’s my fault. I took a short cut across the park. He told me not to but I did anyway. If he hadn’t come to get me . . .’
Ray gathered her into another of those rib-crunching hugs. ‘You should be able to go wherever you want without worrying. This isn’t your fault. And you,’ Ray glared at the detective over the top of her head. ‘What are you going to do about it? Why are you here instead of looking for this man?’
‘I have some follow-up questions. If you don’t mind, I’ll ask them, then get out of your hair.’
‘Fine.’ Uncurling his arms from around Lenina’s shoulders, the bigger man leaned back on the sofa and folded his arms. ‘Well?’
Sergeant Blake straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. ‘Lenina,’ he began.
Ray cleared his throat.
‘Miss Miller, what you told us yesterday was very helpful but—’
‘Us?’
Blake’s hands clenched briefly. ‘My partner, Mr Miller. Detective Inspector Brad Thorne. He accompanied me last night.’
‘Where is he now?’
Though irritated by her father’s tone, Lenina silently echoed the question. She looked at Blake – really looked at him – and felt a little flutter in the pit of her stomach. The detective’s hair gleamed as if professionally treated. She could smell it; some expensive shampoo and conditioner that brought to mind apple orchards and yellow meadows. His royal-blue suit fitted his body with the same hints of tailoring as the first and clearly cost as much. Beneath it he wore a green shirt that matched his eyes so well, the choice couldn’t be anything but deliberate. His tie, narrow and black, had complementing stripes of the same emerald green.
As if he’d dressed for a date, Lenina thought. The pleasant flutter of butterflies became the writhing ache of embarrassment as she took in her own pyjamas and dressing gown. She longed for a dash of lipstick, a flick of mascara or foundation, anything to counter the naked sensation of inadequacy she felt in that moment. Blake stared at her and his gaze caressed her skin like the brush of warm fur, something she could roll in or cuddle. Lenina felt a mad urge to giggle. Or sing. She did neither, merely stood and crossed to the other side of the room, under the pretence of placing her empty mug on the fireplace. Her shoulders itched and she knew Blake watched her every move.
How can he make me feel like this?
‘Miss Miller. I need to show you some pictures.’ Sergeant Blake pulled a small envelope from his pocket. Shaking the contents on to his hand, he held out a stack of five photos. ‘Do any of these faces look familiar?’
Her fingers brushed his as she took the photos. Instead of the faint excitement she experienced the day before, Lenina felt the vibrant pulse of life within his skin. The ebb and flow of hot blood coursing through his veins. Lenina licked her lips, eyeing the single track of a pale blue vein along the inside of his wrist. She traced it all the way into the cuff of his jacket.
‘Miss Miller?’
She cleared her throat and busied herself with the photos. As she skimmed through, she heard her father speak again.
‘Sergeant, you never did say where your partner was.’
His voice chilled the room. ‘Brad’s in the office working a separate case.’
‘Oh?’
‘Unfortunately yours isn’t the only case we’re handling right now.’
‘And who decides the priority?’ Ray leaned forward.
‘The Chief Inspector.’
‘I see. But shouldn’t you be working together?’
‘Daddy, stop it. Please.’ Lenina returned the photos, shaking her head. ‘Sorry, none of these is the guy.’
She’d barely looked at them, instead watching the sergeant move from beneath the thin veil of her eyelashes.
Blake tucked the photos away and stepped back. Lenina followed him, fighting an inexplicable urge to close the distance between them. She thrust her hands into her dressing gown pockets to prevent them wan
dering. ‘It doesn’t feel like I’ve helped.’
He smiled. ‘Now I know who not to look for. That’s useful, Lenina. I promise. I’ll get out of your way now.’
The way he said her name sent a delicious shiver rippling down her spine.
‘Thanks.’ She touched her cheeks, aware of the heat there. Not wanting to be obvious by fanning her face, she turned away and took a few deep breaths. ‘I’ll show you to the door. Daddy, can you put the kettle on, please?’
From the corner of her eye she saw Ray glare at her, but her persistent blushes took precedence over his resentment. She dashed for the hallway and heard the detective follow.
Reaching the door, she pressed her forehead to the cool glass and tried to think. What was wrong with her? How could a few smiles and a smart suit reduce her to a giddy, senseless wreck? She wasn’t a teenager any more. And what about Nick, the man she intended to marry?
The hand on her shoulder made her yelp. Lenina spun around so fast that her dressing gown swirled around Blake’s knees. She stumbled and his hand steadied her, also sweeping her close enough to smell the mint on his breath.
‘You okay?’ he whispered. ‘Do you need to sit down?’
‘No, you made me jump.’ She tilted her head back, gazing into his eyes and all the shades of the forest they held. ‘And I’m stressed.’
‘I’m not surprised. But I want you to know that you’ve really helped me today.’
A warm, fuzzy tingle ran from her head to her toes. ‘Really?’
‘Oh, yes.’ He grinned. It felt like watching the sun peep out from behind clouds. ‘Really.’ His voice dropped an octave. ‘Sorry if I got you in trouble with your dad. He didn’t look happy.’
She nodded, startled by how difficult it was to think with his hand on her shoulder. ‘He worries about me. More than he needs to. That’s not your fault.’
‘Good. Because I didn’t come here just to show you photos.’
She licked her lips and tried to back up. The door blocked her retreat.
‘I wanted to check on you.’
‘Oh.’
Another smile and a flash of white teeth. ‘I wanted to see you. Be sure you’re okay. You’ve been through a lot.’
Her heart hammered her ribs. Sweat broke out on her palms. ‘That’s sweet.’
‘It’s my job.’
Every sensible part of Lenina’s rational mind told her this visit was far above and beyond the call of duty.
She stared into his intense green eyes and inhaled until the smell of peppermint saturated her nostrils. His lips parted and between them she saw the pale tip of his tongue.
Wild thoughts of kissing raced through her mind. ‘Thank you.’
‘No problem, Lenina.’ The syllables of her name lingered on his lips before hitting the air, giving the impression that he tasted each one before letting it go. She shivered so hard that his hand slipped off her shoulder and down her bicep. He held her elbow gently and leaned forward again. His breath whispered over her face, hot and sweet. His eyes widened, pupils growing large and dark.
‘Nothing you want or need will ever be a problem, understand?’ He didn’t wait for an answer. Instead, he released her elbow and reached into his pocket. The loss of his touch made her gasp.
‘Take this.’ Blake pushed a small white card into her shaking hands. ‘My office number. And mobile. Just in case.’ At last, he backed away.
Ray chose that exact moment to stick his head around the doorway. ‘Everything okay out here?’
She shoved the business card into her pocket.
‘Yes, thanks.’ Blake held her gaze for a fraction longer before glancing over his shoulder. ‘I was telling Miss Miller how to reach me if she remembers anything else.’
If his earlier actions hadn’t been clue enough, the blatant lie cinched it. Lenina felt the hairs on the back of her neck stand to rigid attention. She felt light-headed. Warm. Her skin tingled with a need to be touched and she took several deep breaths through her nose.
Averting her gaze, she stepped to one side and opened the front door. ‘Thank you, Detective. I appreciate your help.’ He stared at her, she could feel it, but nothing short of open threats could have made her look up in that moment.
Before he could speak, Nick thundered down the stairs in his motorbike leathers, the huge round helmet dangling from the bend of his elbow. ‘You still here, Detective?’
His appearance broke the spell. Lenina felt Blake look away like a prickly blanket lifting off her shoulders. She gazed at her fiancé. Her chest tightened. Did he know? Could he tell how her body responded to the proximity and scent of another man?
She made several attempts to swallow the growing lump at the back of her throat. ‘He’s leaving now,’ she said.
‘Yes, I have what I need. Bye, Mr Harrison.’
‘Yeah, bye.’ Nick gave the detective an absent wave and stopped before Lenina. He placed his hands on her shoulders. Kissed her cheek. ‘You okay, babe? You’re all flushed.’
She looked at his chin, not daring to meet his eyes. ‘I’m fine.’
‘Remember to call the doctor. Let me know if Ray is staying or if I need to ride back from the office.’
‘Sure.’
Another kiss. ‘Thanks. Bye, Ray. Good to see you.’
‘You too.’ Ray inclined his head.
Nick swept out the door, taking the detective with him. They shook hands on the drive and Nick leapt on to his bike, wedging his helmet on to his head and riding away. Blake climbed into his own car and drove away. Only after both men cleared her line of sight did Lenina close the door.
Ray loomed behind her, arms folded tight across his broad chest.
‘We need to talk,’ he said.
Chapter Eight