The Promised One (The Turning Stone Chronicles) by C. D. Hersh Page B

reputation.”

Chapter 13
    Rhys’ hand swept across the rumpled covers. He wanted Alexi’s soft body next to him one more time before they got out of bed. He longed to smell her jasmine and sandalwood perfume deepening as their passion grew, filling his senses until he could think of nothing but her.
    His fingers bunched the sheet, searching, and came up empty. He rolled on his side and opened his eyes. No Lexi. Bolting upright, he scanned the room. The nightshirt she’d worn, for only minutes after he’d given in, lay on the end of the bed. Her watch and jewelry no longer sat on the bedside table. He scooted out of bed and threw on his clothes, hoping she hadn’t started another scrubbing frenzy. That would be a bad sign.
    As he started down the stairs, he heard the garage door raise. Bounding down the steps two at a time, he headed out the kitchen door just as the descending door blocked a view of Alexi backing out the car.
    “Get back here!” He slapped his hand on the wall as the garage door hit the concrete floor. He spun and sprinted for the front entry.
    He hopped into his truck and took off after Alexi. Where was she going? A terrible thought raced through his mind. Did she regret what happened?
    She drove as if she didn’t know he tailed her, so he kept a discreet distance between them, following her to the Rosebriar Inn. Alexi parked the car, got out, and went into the Inn. He followed, ducking around corners. Alexi stopped at a door, glanced from side-to-side, knocked, and then entered.
    Innocent people didn’t check out halls before entering a room. She was hiding something. But what? Something about Baron? Captain Williams promised to keep them both informed about breaks in the case. Maybe she found something in Baron’s case files? Why not include him? He slogged through those files with her. She had to know he wanted to help. Or maybe . . . maybe this was more personal. Was there someone else?
    Jealousy ricocheted through him. She was his. They’d sealed the deal last night. No way would he let some other man get her. He moved toward the door, raised his fist, then stopped. This might be police business. If he busted in, he could damage a cover. Got to trust her . He lowered his arm and unclenched his fist. She’d trust you. At least he hoped so.
    Reining in his rampaging emotions, he positioned himself in a window alcove within view of the room. An hour passed and a swarthy man about Alexi’s height, wearing a gray tee shirt and blue jeans, exited. His suspicions leapt like the ringer on a carnival bell. He committed the man’s face to memory. When he was out of sight, Rhys knocked on the room door.
    “Alexi, it’s Rhys. Let me in.” When she didn’t answer, he pounded harder, raising his voice. “Open up, or I’ll kick in the door.”
    The interior latch clicked and the door opened. Alexi stood in the doorway wearing a hot pink, low-necked tee shirt and jeans.
    “Who was the guy?” he asked as he maneuvered his way past her.
    “What guy?”
    He scanned the room. The bed was rumpled. She cheated on me already. How could you? His gut twisted as tight as the tangled bedcovers. “Was it good for you?” he asked, barely holding back the snarl that rumbled inside his throat.
    Alexi shut the door behind her. “What are you talking about?”
    “Didn’t last night mean anything?”
    “Last night?” she echoed stupidly.
    The snarl escaped from his throat. Rhys removed his Stetson, shoved his fingers though his hair, and paced to the opposite side of the room. “Six months, Alexi. I’ve been waiting six months.”
    She continued to stare at him with a clueless expression.
    “You couldn’t even wait six hours before you . . .” The words stuck in his throat. “Screwed someone else?”
    Alexi’s mouth formed a surprised circle. “You think I cheated on you?”
    “Evidence says so.” He slapped his Stetson down on the desk.
    “Evidence?” she echoed again.
    He ticked the items off.