“Do you think my name has been leaked yet?”

“I think they’ll try to find us first before your name is associated with Sorrell’s death. If at all. It’ll just be a media frenzy. I’m sure they’d like to avoid that.”

“What does that say about me that I’d rather face our clown friend than be in the middle of a media circus?”

Harper smiled. “It says that you think I can protect you against the clown but not the circus.”

Dani studied her for a moment, then leaned closer and lightly kissed her lips. Harper’s eyes closed, but Dani took it no farther.

“I feel like I’ve known you for years,” Dani whispered. “How can that be?”

Harper wished she had an answer. She, too, felt closer to Dani than a week warranted. Even without the intimacy they’d shared, she still felt that closeness. Making love had only deepened it. So yes, how could it be that the familiarity between them was fostered by days and not years? Was it the stress of the situation? Was it the state of affairs they found themselves in? Life or death? Did they bond out of necessity?

Or was it something else entirely?

Her answer was to touch Dani’s face, caress the smooth skin, get lost in her eyes. She had an aching need to be close to her, to take the time to connect on a more physical level—emotional. She could see in Dani’s eyes that she wanted the same. But…

“We should get up. Shower. See what the day holds.”

“We should make love,” Dani countered in a whisper.

“I don’t think we’re afforded that kind of time.”

“Time is all we can control, Harper. Let’s get out of these clothes. Let’s take the time.”

Chapter Forty-Five

They went into the adjoining room and Harper picked up the locket. She held it in her hand for a second before slipping it into her pocket. She slung her bag over her shoulder, then glanced at Dani who was already by the door, waiting. She had a smile on her face; her skin still flushed from their lovemaking, even after a shower. Harper returned her smile.

“Thank you for forcing me to get naked.”

Dani laughed. “Yeah, it took all of two seconds to persuade you.”

“Did it take that long?”

Dani came closer, close enough for them to touch. “I like you, Scout. Through all of this craziness, you’ve kept me sane.” Dani gave her a flirty smile. “As an added plus, you’re a very good kisser.”

“That’s a bonus, huh?”