“No, but it almost would’ve been easier if he had. At least I could’ve fought back against that. His thing was passive aggression. He wanted total control over me. I let it go on for far longer than I should have because I didn’t want to admit I’d been so incredibly wrong. Damned foolish Irish pride.”

Despite her resistance, Nick moved closer. “I want to wrap my arms around you right now,” he said gruffly against her ear, his warm breath sending goose bumps darting through her. “I hate the idea of someone making you feel inadequate.”

“I let him,” Sam said, the pillars of her resistance toppling like Dominoes. She wanted Nick’s arms around her, wanted to lean her head on that strong, capable shoulder. For the first time in longer than she could remember, she wanted the comfort he offered. No, she needed it. What should have been terrifying was actually rather exhilarating. “Can we go?”

“Sure.” He put some bills on the table, got up and offered her his hand.

“We’ve left the safety of the tablecloth,” she reminded him as she stepped around his outstretched arm on her way to the door.

Grinning, he followed her out.

Heads bent against the blustery cold, they walked a block to where they’d parked her department vehicle. An odd chill that had nothing to do with the cold ran up her spine as she unlocked the door on the dark street. Glancing around, she expected to find someone watching her, but saw no one. Just her overactive imagination, she thought, as she reached over to unlock the passenger door for Nick.

He slid in next to her. “Before we go to John’s place, I need to get my car.”

“Okay.” Sam started the car to get the heat going, but sat with her hands propped on the wheel.

“What’s wrong?”

She gripped the wheel. “I’m sorry I can’t give you more right now, Nick.” Glancing over, she found him watching her intently. “It’s not because I don’t want to.”

He reached over to caress her face. “I know that.”

His touch sent a burst of longing sizzling through her, but she tamped it down. “Can you be patient with me?”

“I spent years wishing for another chance with you, Sam. I’m not about to bail just because it isn’t going to be easy.”

She released a deep sigh of relief. “Good.”

“But after this case is closed…”

“I’ll be right there with you.”

“What we had six years ago is still there,” he said, gazing into her eyes.

“So it seems.”

“Whatever it is, I’ve never had it with anyone else.”

“I haven’t either. I was so sad when you didn’t call. I couldn’t believe I’d been so wrong about you.”

“Ugh. That makes me furious. When I think about what we might’ve had, all these years…”