Smoky Mountain Investigation. Annslee Urban

I can handle.” She nodded. “But murderers—”

      “You know—” Nick cut her off, sat forward and looked at her, suspicion skewing his features. “In all likelihood, you know this guy.”

      Her spine prickled. “What?”

      “The murderer. He knew your cell number and that you’d be at the airport. Even knew what time.”

      Kylie shivered. The very thought made her skin crawl. “I hadn’t even considered that.”

      Nick’s dark brows drew closer. “Who knew you’d be at the airport tonight?”

      Leaning on her elbows, she mentally ticked off everyone who might have known her plans to drop off her sister. Her chest tightened at the results. “There’s too many to name. I left work early, so most of my colleagues were aware. Shannon and I went to a church social last night. Lots of people asked when she and the baby were leaving.”

      “You never could hide much in this small town.” Nick nodded. “Except possibly murder.”

      A boulder-size knot formed in Kylie’s stomach. “I can’t imagine anyone I know being capable of such a terrible crime. Not now or ten years ago.” She dropped her voice several octaves.

      Nick touched her arm, sending shivers of a different manner across her skin. “Kylie, predators aren’t obvious. Believe me, I’ve met my share. Sometimes it’s who you’d least expect.”

      * * *

      The strained expression in Kylie’s eyes ignited a deep burn in Nick’s chest. Breathing deep, the scent of her perfume filtered into his nostrils. Something sweet and subtle. A hundred percent intriguing.

      A hundred percent Kylie.

      His heart gave a solid kick against his ribs. A few minutes with this woman and already he’d ventured onto dangerous ground. He broke eye contact with her and forced his mixed-up emotions to quiet.

      Their dreams of a life together had blown apart with the tragedy at Camp Golden Rock. After that, Nick could barely live with himself, let alone offer anything to Kylie. He’d needed to get away from Asheville, start fresh with nothing to hold him back.

      He swirled the liquid in his glass, the ice clinking. An impulsive decision.

      But a mistake? He’d never know that for sure.

      Now that he was back, one look into Kylie’s eyes and long-buried emotions sparked to life. A jolt of remembered love, but also a tug in his chest that reminded him that those days were over.

      The past was behind them. They were older now. Wiser. They had both moved on in very different directions.

      The waitress walked by. He held up his hand to catch her attention. “May I get a refill, please?”

      The woman nodded and he glanced at Kylie. “Would you like anything? You barely touched your coffee.”

      Kylie shook her head. “No, thank you. I’m fine.”

      Though concern shadowed her eyes, her voice came across confident.

      Nick’s gut clenched. Seeing her unsettled and worried, his protective instincts surged. The events at the airport had been horrific enough. He shouldn’t have voiced his opinions so quickly. He mentally kicked himself for adding more distress to her day.

      The need to comfort her rose. “Don’t rack your brain trying to figure this guy out. He may not be anyone you know. Right now, facts don’t support any theory.” He covered his own concerns with a grin.

      A glint of relief entered her eyes. She nodded. “Thanks, that makes me feel better.”

      Good. Now if only he could convince himself.

      Quiet fell between them. And then Kylie settled back in her chair. “Enough talk about murder. I’d like to give my brain a break, at least until I get home. I have an article due by four.”

      He glanced at his watch. Nearly ten o’clock. “Do you need to leave and get started?”

      She raked her hand through her long hair, tousling her curls further. “No, I’m fine.”

      “Well, then, tell me how you’ve been.” He asked the question that had crossed his mind often over the past ten years.

      “Me?”

      “Yes, you.” Nick nodded and folded his arms, enjoying the view a little too much. Although appreciating a woman’s beauty wasn’t a crime. Even if she was his ex-girlfriend.

      Kylie fell silent and picked up her cup and drank deeply from it.

      Nick reclined against the seat back, his gaze resting on her as he waited. She must have quite a story to tell. He might be sorry he asked.

      * * *

      After a moment, Kylie set down her cup with a clink. Ever since high school, her life had gone by in a blur—at least in the romance department, as her parents so readily liked to point out. As if having a husband would solve the world’s problems or create a life of happily ever after. That fairy tale had died a long time ago. Thanks to Nick Bentley.

      A sigh crawled up her throat. She swallowed it back. No telling how many relationships Nick had been involved in since they’d split up.

      Not that it should matter. She picked up a napkin and dabbed the sides of her mouth. He no longer had any effect on her. She met his eyes, the tenderness in his dark gaze unmistakable. A tingle rippled along her spine.

      Okay, maybe a little.

      “I’m waiting.” Nick’s gaze sharpened on her face, which she feared was now blushing crimson.

      She cleared her throat and spoke. “Well, I attended college at UNC Asheville and graduated with a degree in journalism. And, as you know, I work at the Asheville Daily News.” She folded her hands on the table. “What about you?”

      A deep chuckle rumbled from his chest. “Hey, not so fast.”

      She blinked and then swallowed. “That’s about it. Really.”

      He arched a dark brow. “No wedding bells or kids?”

      She shook her head no.

      This time both eyebrows lifted. “No special someone in your life?”

      Not anymore. “Nope.”

      His smoldering gaze warmed her deep inside. Nick hadn’t changed. He never settled for elusive. Always wanted the whole story and never gave in until he got it—well, except after Conrad’s murder. Her heart squeezed. After that he’d seemed to lose interest in everything. Including her. She took another drink of coffee, bitter against her suddenly dry throat.

      Nick ran his hands over his close-cropped hair. “Wow, I thought you’d be married by now. A house. A couple kids.”

      At one time she would have expected the same. “I’m only twenty-eight. Not quite an old maid. Although my parents might disagree.”

      Nick laughed fully this time, a rumble as deep as a chasm, and charming dimples dented his cheeks. Her heart skipped a beat. “No, I wouldn’t put you in the old-maid category yet. By the way, how are your parents?”

      “Enjoying retirement in Florida. My sister and her family joined them last year.”

      “And you? Any plans to go?”

      “No. Asheville is home. I love it here.”

      “That’s what I thought.” He grimaced.

      An awful coldness seeped through her, filtering out into her extremities. Nick was still running from the past. Ten long years hadn’t changed that.

      Breathing deep, Kylie strove not to let her emotions show. She leaned forward, propped her elbow on the edge of the table and rested her chin in her hand. “Now, tell me about