“Thank you for your help today.” Louisa stood. In her heels, she was only a few inches shorter than him, a very kissable distance. But not here. Too public. He followed her into the lobby and tugged her away from the door. He leaned forward and put his lips to hers. This time she responded with no hesitation, her lips yielding slightly, then pressing back at his. Pleasure at the progress flourished in his chest, which was ludicrous considering the chaste nature of the kiss.

Conor’s hand twitched at his side. He wanted to hold her, to pull her against his body. Visions of soft skin under silk drained the blood from his head and sent it shooting south. Slowly, he raised a hand and cupped her jaw, gently stroking her chin with his thumb.

He lifted her head. Her green eyes had gone dark. Desire zinged through his belly and landed in his balls. Yeah. Time to go. Sex clouded his judgment, and he wanted his mind clear.

“I’ll call you tomorrow.”

Louisa smiled. “Don’t you want to collect your dog?”

Conor thought of the hooded teen in the alley. “Would you mind holding on to her for a couple of days?”

“Not at all.” Her smile widened.

The dog would just be lonely in his apartment. If Kirra stayed with Louisa, they could keep each other company. He suspected they both had spent enough time alone.

“I have to go. Pat is running the bar solo. Be careful.” Leaving Louisa at the elevator, he exited. On the sidewalk, the discussion with Xavier replayed in his head. He didn’t blame the professor for doubting Conor’s innocence. The amount of circumstantial evidence against him was staggering. Was Conor’s involvement in Zoe’s disappearance a coincidence or a setup? If someone planned to frame him, he’d have spent a lot of time watching both Conor and Louisa.

He glanced back at her building. In that light, her secure condo didn’t look as safe.

CHAPTER 15

15

Louisa fed Kirra and took her outside for a quick walk. Having a dog was more pleasant than she’d imagined. The sun dipped behind the buildings, casting cool shadows across the sidewalk. As usual, the green space was busy with people determined to enjoy the last of the pleasant weather. Conor’s kiss still tingled on her lips, but her joy was darkened by the forty-two hours that Zoe had been missing. The impending dinner with her aunt further blackened her mood.