“You hate snakes and bugs,” Denver said in a whisper.

Keeping her voice as low as his, she replied, “Not as much as I hated Carver.” To stave off the lump of emotion crowding her throat, she turned to the detectives. “Carver said Janet hid something. I’m guessing either drugs or money. Maybe both. He said I would know where, which didn’t make any sense at first. But Janet knew where I hid. That day she pulled the shotgun on Carver—”

“The day she sent you away,” Denver clarified.

Cherry nodded. “She said she knew I hid in the old truck and that’s where she was going to look for me, but she found me in the clearing instead.”

“With Carver planning a public rape.”

Because she didn’t know what else to say, Cherry shrugged.

After pulling her up against his chest, Denver zeroed in on the detectives. “You have enough to check into it?”

“I’ll make a few calls,” Logan promised. “We know some cops in the area.”

“Good cops,” Reese clarified. “We can do a search, see what we come up with. But in the meantime, you need to be extra careful.”

“Desperate people do terrible things,” Logan agreed.

“He’s psycho.” Denver hugged her a little tighter. “Believe me, I won’t let him get anywhere near her.”

Logan and Reese shared a look, then Logan dug out a card and handed it to Denver. “If you hear from him again, and for damn sure if you see him, call me.”

* * *

DENVER COULD BARELY credit the change in Cherry. Now that she assumed she knew what Carver wanted, she was more lighthearted. More open.

To him.

Last night, she’d initiated the lovemaking. Twice. She’d always been hot, but now she was also affectionate.

A potent combo.

Her smiles turned him on, and so did that breathy little catch in her voice when she said his name right before coming.

But it was more than that. It was her entire outlook. She looked free.

With the stereo playing, she danced around the bedroom, already dressed and patiently waiting for him to finish. Being reluctant to leave her, he’d done his workout at home that day. And now, as he watched the sway of her hips, he wondered if they had time to fit in a quickie before they needed to leave. He wasn’t crazy about the trip back home, and Cherry—with her very sweet ass—could provide the perfect distraction.

When he reached for her, she laughed and danced out of reach.

“Tease.”

“I’ll make it up to you tonight, I promise.”

She seemed to be settling in, and that gave him hope that when he told her he wanted her to stay forever, she wouldn’t argue with him. “Come here.” He caught her before she could get away again, then tugged her resisting body between his legs.

“Denver,” she protested with a smile. “We have to leave here in less than five minutes and you haven’t finished dressing yet.”

All he needed was his shoes and a T-shirt. He’d told Cherry to dress casual, and while no one would call her outfit dressy, she looked amazing. Her white sundress with blue flowers fit tight to her waist with the top low enough to show off some tantalizing cleavage. The full skirt fell softly around her hips and thighs and ended at her knees. She wore heeled blue sandals that made her legs look incredible.

She laced her fingers into his hair, still damp from his shower. “I look okay?”

“You look so good, I could eat you up,” he whispered, his hands now on the backs of her legs urging her closer.

“Denver.”

He slid his palms up her bare thighs until he reached her bottom. His abs tightened as he explored her naked cheeks. “Damn, girl. What type of underwear are you wearing?”

“A thong.”

He stepped her back. “Let me see.”

Grinning, she slipped away from him. “You can see tonight.”

Slowly, Denver rose from the edge of the bed. Yeah, this game would definitely ease any apprehension. “I don’t want to wait.”

Laughing again, the sound almost a giggle, she ducked to the other side of the dresser. “Now Denver...”

He gave her a wolfish smile. “Come here, Cherry.”

Her face heated even as her mouth twitched. “No!” She turned to run but only got a few steps before he scooped her up high, making her screech in surprise.

Going to the bed, he sat down with her draped over his lap.

“Denver!”

“Hush, girl. You’ll have the neighbors calling the cops on us.” While she alternately laughed and struggled, he flipped up the skirt of her dress. “Lord, you have a nice ass.” He cupped one big hand over her. Her skin was so soft, her bottom firm and full.