She yawned, covering her mouth as she tried to shake the obviously unexpected reaction off. “Sorry. I don’t need a ton of sleep, but the last few nights have been short on hours even for me.”

“Lots of hours at work?”

“More like lots of hours trying to comb up some work.”

He nodded and stood. “Then I’ll get you home so you can get some rest.”

In the time since they’d arrived, the skies had turned full black and more patrons had filtered in to take advantage of the casual venue with its intimate lighting and comfortable seating areas.

Logic dictated that distance was the wisest course of action, but with the narrow aisle between the tables at the back of the shop, he found himself moving in tightly beside her and placing his hand low on her back.

Her breath caught on a subtle hitch and, for a few steps, her body swayed nearer to his. Such a simple connection, but fiercely palpable. Natural and powerful to a degree he still couldn’t quite comprehend. Just walking beside her felt right, an innate synchronicity that somehow made him feel more balanced than when he walked alone. Which was surprising considering he’d never found strolling side by side with any other woman even remotely appealing.

He felt more than saw her glance at his face. Tempting as it was to meet her gaze, he forced himself to keep his attention trained on the exit ahead—until her steps slowed and the muscles in her back tensed. He followed her narrowed gaze.

In the corner of the coffee shop, a girl with long black hair in pigtails sat curled up in one of the suede chairs studying something on her computer. The dim pendant light streaming overhead made her heavy makeup and gothic black attire even more dramatic. “Do you know her?”

Cassie shook her head, and the frown on her face relaxed. “I thought so, but maybe not.” She smiled up at him, but it lacked its usual strength. “Job hazard, I guess.”

Maybe it was the lack of sleep, but even once they got back in the car, she was less talkative than normal. Pensive as though something plagued her mind with no ready solution in sight.

If he was smart, he’d simply let the silence reign. Take the information she’d provided, see what it turned up and let her get back to her everyday life.

But he didn’t want her to get back to her everyday life. Didn’t want to be out of excuses to spend time with her, even if it did make him the most foolish man alive. “I want you to help me research Townsend and Reynolds.”

His statement shook her out of her daze and brought her sharp eyes to his. “Excuse me?”

“You know these men. Your observations, insight and experience would help me research them more quickly.”

She smoothed her hands up and down her thighs and sighed. “Yeah, I don’t think you and I working together is a great idea.”