Beautiful Criminal by Shady Grace Page B

a gasp. Tears filled her eyes.
    A man with shaggy brown hair and the missing puppy were wrestling in the snow. The puppy noticed Mima first and lifted her snow-covered snout to look at her curiously before she let out a little yip and wagged her curly tail. Then the man lifted his head, and when he saw her he grinned.
    “Hello, beautiful.”
    “Where did you… How did you get here?” She was completely stunned and shocked to see him.
    He pointed to a sporty-looking snowmobile a few yards away. “It’s a little bit faster than that old rust bucket of yours.”
    Gabe pushed up on his feet and patted the snow off his jacket and pants. His gorgeous smile made her toes curl in her mukluks. She eyed him with barely suppressed excitement. He was dressed in proper snow gear, and he looked healthy.
    Mima never imagined a criminal like him would take the time to play with a puppy. The scene was so cute it was funny.
    Happiness and hope warmed her heart. “I didn’t think you were coming back.”
    “I told you I needed a vacation.” Gabe stepped forward and Mima threw herself in his arms. His mouth descended on hers, and she wanted to cry from the deep emotion she felt in that single kiss. Three weeks away from him was too long.
    She pulled back and smiled up at him. “How long are you staying this time?”
    The hesitation on his face made her nervous. He stared at her hard. Maybe he couldn’t find the right words to let her down. “That depends on you. Do you want me to stay?”
    “Yes, but that depends on your job description.”
    His eyes glinted with wicked promise. “Well, a retired man doesn’t have much of a job description.”
    “Are you serious?” She squealed in delight, completely shocked by his statement. “You have no idea how happy that makes me. How did your boss take the news? How’s your friend? Did he make it?”
    “Slow down.” He chuckled, hugging her tighter. “There’s a couple things I have to do before it’s final, but I’m definitely on vacation for a while. And for your second question, you can see Terry for yourself tomorrow.”
    Mima frowned in confusion, not expecting to hear that after Gabe just arrived. “Tomorrow? Is he coming to visit already?”
    Obviously intent on other things, Gabe trailed a hand back around and fondled her breast through her parka, instigating a heady ache between her legs. “Yeah, he’s at Mary’s right now.”
    Mima gasped. “What? I never thought her to be attracted to a criminal.”
    Gabe took her hand and led her to the cabin, then straight to the bedroom. “I think you have a lot to learn about your friend, love. Did you know when she was in college she used to grow her own pot?”
    “What? Where did you hear that?”
    He sat her on the edge of the bed, and unzipped and parted her coat, before sliding it down her arms. “Let’s say Terry couldn’t help calling her every day to check up on his hostage. I guess they had a lot to discuss.”
    Mima glared at him. “The thought of him hurting her—”
    Gabe put his finger to her lips. “Terry is a good man. He’ll spoil her and kill for her. You have to trust me on that one.”
    A shudder of fear gripped her spine. “Did Terry kill Tom?”
    Gabriel shrugged, but his teasing expression was all the answer she needed or wanted. “Just wait till I see that bugger.”
    “Wait till you see how happy Mary is, for once.”
    That alone gave her hope for her friend. “Why didn’t you radio me, or even write me a letter? I missed you.”
    He stopped what he was doing and kissed her hand. “I missed you too, and a real man doesn’t write a woman a letter. Surprising you is more fun.” He looked thoughtful, raking his gaze over her body and face. “I tried to tell you this before in the tree house, but we were interrupted.” He leaned down to kiss her cheek, and whispered, “Remember when you asked if I’ve ever loved a woman?”
    Mima held her breath and nodded.
    “I’ve never loved anyone,