A Twist of Betrayal by Allie Harrison

she agreed, even though she thought she were suddenly living out one of the biggest lies of her life.
    “All right we can try.” She thought it was probably a lot like trying put out a forest fire with a garden hose. At the same time, she knew it was the right thing to do, take things slowly, and see where they went. It gave her the chance to get to know him better.
    From the conversation to the beer and pizza, the rest of the evening flowed by like a smooth river. For that short time, Justine really thought they could be ‘friends.’ Best friends.
    Dan was at ease in her apartment. And she got the strange impression he belonged there.
    It was after ten when he started to get up. “I’d better go. We both have work tomorrow.”
    He pulled her into his arms, and she knew without a doubt they could never be just friends. But she was determined to take things slow, no matter how good or wonderfully safe and secure it felt to be wrapped in his arms.
    “Feeling better now?” he asked.
    “Yes, I’m fine.”
    “Because I can stay if you need me,” he offered.
    Justine bit her lip to keep from saying ‘yes, stay.’ But it was too early, their relationship too was new. Even if he stayed and slept on the sofa, it wouldn’t feel right to her.
    And the last thing she wanted was for him to be a one-night-stand.
    “Really, I’m fine,” she insisted.
    He kissed her. His lips were soft, gentle. He didn’t rush her, didn’t make any demands, and didn’t push her.
    He did, however, place his hands on either side of her face and hold her to him. His touch alone told her they could never just be friends. His kiss was enough to practically set her on fire. It was as if everything within her stopped so that she might experience every aspect of his touch. Justine didn’t remember moving and she was surprised to find she’d moved her arms to hold him.
    He slowly pulled away. “I’ll pick you up at seven in the morning to take you to get your car,” he said, his voice sounding raspy and deeper than usual.
    “You don’t have to, I could call—”
    “I’ll be here.”
    “I’ll be waiting.” Her heart did a sort of flutter at the anticipation.
    A moment later he was gone.
    But hours later, she was still not able to sleep. She couldn’t stop thinking about the warmth of Dan’s arms or how safe she felt with him or the fact that she would see him in the morning.
    Yes, his job frightened her but she still tasted his kiss on her lips, and just friends or not, she would worry over him. He wasn’t the kind of man she ever pictured being with, yet after only one day, she couldn’t imagine life without him.
    And just friends?
    She finally gave into the urge and laughed out loud.

Chapter 10
    Standing in the middle of the road leading into the campground, Dan watched the sun slowly sink into the horizon and clenched his fists to keep from pulling his own hair out. Memories flashed through his thoughts like a slide show.
    His parting words to Justine before she left.
    Holding her deep in the night.
    The taste of her kiss.
    Her soft touch when she slipped her fingertips through his hair.
    The blood on her face.
    Night closed in. It wasn’t even cold, but he shivered.
    He tried to ignore the lab techs who went over the get-away van with a fine-toothed comb. In fact, Dan stood around waiting like all the others for the results. It was the hardest wait he’d ever endured. His insides shook, and he wondered if any of the others saw it. Dan realized he would certainly have more sympathy for victims in the future.
    Steve brought him a cup of coffee. “You should go home,” he suggested.
    “Would you go home?” Dan asked, doing his best to keep the frustration out of his voice. He did want to go home. But his eagerness to do that would raise questions he couldn’t answer.
    “No,” Steve said. “But I thought it was worth a try.”
    “Did you know she’s terrified of the dark?”
    “No.”
    “Doesn’t hardly bat an eye