Sea Haven 01 - Water Bound

my father tried to carry her out and a piece of the ceiling fell on them. The fire burned hot and fast. There was an accelerant poured inside the walls as well as outside.”
    “Why not in your room?”
    “At the time, the investigators said my light was on and probably whoever did it didn’t want to risk getting interrupted. Later, of course, they figured it was to allow me an escape, although they couldn’t figure out why I didn’t go through the window.”
    He turned his head toward the road, his internal radar sounding off loud. “You’re about to have company.”
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    “Probably one of my sisters.”
    “I’ll go inside and wait.”
    “Don’t shoot anyone.”
    He grinned at her, leaned down and brushed a kiss across the top of her silky head. She felt alone to him. He knew exactly what that was like and he didn’t want it for her. “I’ll be close if you need me.”
    She looked up at him, but she didn’t reply.
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Chapter 9
    RIKKI watched the door close behind Lev and her heart began beating normally once again. She hadn’t realized that she’d been barely breathing.
    Lev had pressed a kiss into the center of her palm and for one moment she’d felt it— physically felt it—deep inside her most feminine core. Her womb had reacted with a clasping gasp of shock, and the bundle of nerve endings felt raw and sensitive. She had been unable to think clearly after that brief touch of his mouth on her. She felt raw and needy and so empty inside.
    Sex with Daniel had been, at best, rote. She didn’t believe she could really enjoy it because she didn’t like close contact, but he was good to her and she cared for him. It made sense that they could dive together and make a good living. Daniel was content to have quick sex as long as she was available to him, and because he was the first and only person she’d felt affection—even love—for, she wanted the relationship. They made sense.
    Lev made no sense. None. And it was terrifying to feel the sensations he produced in her, yet she craved his touch now. Craved the way he made her feel both in her head and in her body. His kisses were extraordinary, reaching inside of her and melting her until her entire body flowed against him like water.
    Blythe’s car distracted her from her thoughts. Her stomach tightened.
    What in the world was she going to say? Guilt was sharp and edgy, a knife cutting her open. She didn’t lie to Blythe—not ever. Not even when she wanted to. She knew Blythe would never approve of Lev, and she wouldn’t understand about not taking him straight to the authorities. Blythe believed in the law; she’d never seen what false accusations could do to a person.
    Rikki sat up straighter and pushed at her glasses to make certain they were firmly in place. She would not betray Blythe by lying. But Lev ...
    Blythe got out of her sporty little Spider and walked up to Rikki slowly.
    “Are you all right?” She took off her glasses to study Rikki’s face.
    Rikki was certain guilt was stamped there. Color rose in spite of her determination not to allow it. She shrugged. “Yes.” That, at least, wasn’t a lie.
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    Blythe dropped into the chair Lev had vacated, and for a moment Rikki was afraid the warmth of the seat would give him away. She would have noticed and she was certain Lev would have as well, but Blythe was too busy inspecting her. “You don’t look sick.”
    Rikki shook her head.
    “You missed a diving day this week. On Thursday, the weather was perfect, the sea was calm and you didn’t go. You always go.”
    “Too many boats out there.” Again she felt relief, she was still telling the absolute truth. She hadn’t wanted to share her sea with so many and it was dangerous. A boat could get too close and cut her hose.
    “Honey. Talk to me. You’ve had the soup for two months and suddenly you’re buying more. And Inez said you were in this morning and needed groceries. She asked if you were putting on a dinner party. I know you better than that. What’s going on?”
    There it was, the direct question she’d been dreading. She sat in silence, her mind working fast, discarding ideas as soon as they popped into her brain.
    It’s all right, Rikki , I’ll handle it. Lev’s voice slid into her mind and she turned, knowing exactly what he was doing.
    He pushed open the screen door and stepped out. He looked tough and dangerous, his jeans riding low on his hips and his shirt stretched taut across his broad