Close Proximity Read Free Page A

something?” she asked.
    â€œI was thinking that maybe I could help you.”
    She remembered the commanding tone he’d used when addressing the reporter this morning. But now his voice sounded rich. Resonant. And a delicious tremor coursed down the full length of her spine.
    â€œOh?”
    It was the only answer she could pull from the fog of her thoughts.
    His mouth and jaw line went taut, and Libby got the distinct feeling that he’d somehow gotten his pride knocked out of joint, that maybe her one, tiny response had somehow belittled him. Although his boots remained planted in the grass, he turned his head, obviously considering making an exit then and there. She could tell.
    â€œWait,” she called. She took several steps toward him, leaving the concrete, her high heels a hindrance in thethick grass. The bag of groceries grew heavy suddenly and she shifted them into her other arm. “You know my dad?”
    His nod was almost imperceptible.
    â€œYou know something about the case? You can help my father?”
    â€œI’d like to help him.”
    The fact that he hadn’t answered the first question wasn’t lost on her, but she offered him a smile anyway. She felt as though she’d sailed into a sea of enemies since arriving in Prosperino. Anyone who was willing to help her dad would be considered a friend until she had some reason to think otherwise.
    â€œWould you come in for a cup of coffee, Mr.…?”
    â€œJames. Rafe James.”
    â€œWell, Mr. James—”
    â€œRafe.”
    â€œWell, Rafe. You’ll have to call me Libby, then, won’t you?”
    The smile he offered her was small, but it provoked an amazing response in her. Thoughts turned chaotic as images materialized in her brain. Sensual visions of that wide mouth of his raining kisses over her body.
    It had been so easy to conceive of this man as wild, animalistic. But now it was just as easy to picture him in the role of tender lover. In any other puzzle, those two opposing pieces wouldn’t go together. But with Rafe James, they somehow fit.
    Perfectly.
    What a ridiculous notion. This man was a complete stranger to her.
    Shoving the inappropriate thoughts from her mind, she said, “So, should we go in?”
    He nodded slightly and then moved toward her.
    The muscles of his thighs played under the fabric of hisjeans, and Libby had to force her eyes to avert to the ground. Before she realized it, he was close. Very close. He smelled like citrusy cedar and leather, and she had to force herself not to close her eyes and get lost in the scent.
    â€œLet me take this for you.”
    When he reached to take the bag from her, his hand brushed her upper arm. The desire to protect herself by stepping away from him was great, as was the urge to move toward him, ever closer.
    She did neither, and she thanked her lucky stars that she had sense enough to keep a level head on her shoulders. She had no idea what had gotten into her. The stress of worrying about her father’s tremendous troubles, she guessed. That and the despair of having gotten caught in the memories of her childhood.
    After unlocking the door, she made her way through the house to the kitchen, very aware that Rafe James was close on her heels. She set her briefcase on the ceramic tile countertop of the island.
    â€œSet the bag here,” she told him. Then she silently indicated that Rafe should take a seat on one of the high stools.
    â€œSo, how do you know my dad?” Libby busied herself putting away the quart of milk, the loaf of bread and the other groceries she’d purchased.
    He didn’t answer right away, and his apparent hesitancy made her pause. With a bag of apples still in her hand, she lifted her gaze to his.
    Finally, he said, “I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. David Corbett and I are not and have never been friends.”
    Libby’s brows drew together, but she remained