Rather than laughing, Pia nodded solemnly, intuiting without truly understanding why that this was a momentous statement. “Thank you.”

Suddenly self-conscious, yet another extraordinarily rare emotion, KT shrugged as if her heart had not just done a tiny cartwheel. “So. What about that dinner you promised?”

“Since I’m in charge,” Pia answered as she gently withdrew her hand from KT’s, “why don’t you just follow me.”

“All right.” As she fell into step once more, KT found the feeling of not being in charge surprisingly pleasant.

The restaurant turned out to be a tiny place tucked away in an unassuming building that was little more than a shack on the far end of MacMillan Wharf. There were eight tables, each of which had a stunning harbor view, and wait staff who were friendly but unobtrusive. Pia was obviously a regular, and she and KT were immediately shown to a corner table that commanded the best vantage point from which to appreciate the spectacular sunset.

“I’ll bet this place is a well-kept secret,” KT commented as they were seated.

“It’s one of those places the townspeople don’t talk about. We don’t want it to be taken over by the tourists.” Pia smiled up at the small blond in black T-shirt and jeans who handed them menus. “Hi, Lor.”

To KT’s astonishment, the young woman leaned over and brushed a quick kiss over Pia’s lips. “Hi, baby. We got the Dao Quinta Cabriz in today. Wanna try a bottle?”

“Red wine okay?” Pia asked of KT, who nodded in agreement. “Sure. That would be great.”

“Girlfriend?” KT inquired as the cute waitress hurried off. She tried not to sound overly interested, but she’d found the casual kiss disconcerting.

“No,” Pia answered evenly. “Cousin. This is my uncle’s place.”

“Ah. Convenient.”

“Definitely.” Pia leaned back in her chair. “This is Provincetown, but not everyone here is gay, you know.”

“Including you?”

Pia smiled and shook her head. “No, not including me.”

“Is there a girlfriend somewhere, then?”

“No.”

“Hard to believe.”

Lori returned at that moment with two glasses and an open bottle of red wine. Pia was grateful for the interruption, because she’d found the mild flirtation enjoyable and it hadn’t been her intention to do that with KT O’Bannon. Her intention had been to keep everything between them on a friendly but professional level. For some reason, KT made her forget her best intentions with unnerving regularity. She fell silent as Lori poured a half inch of wine. She lifted the glass and breathed the bouquet before taking all of it into her mouth. Partially closing her eyes, she rolled the richly nuanced wine over her tongue, losing herself in the smooth taste and aromatic scent.

KT watched the wine tasting attentively. It was a ritual she had observed dozens of times, but watching Pia was an experience in itself. KT sensed her pleasure in the sensuality of the process she could see it in the faint flush of Pia’s skin, in the curve of her lips and the slightly unfocused look in her eyes. Watching her respond to the pleasures of the wine, KT couldn’t help but imagine how Pia would respond to her touch. And she realized that she really didn’t know, but that she wanted to very much.

“That’s perfect,” Pia said to Lori, who nodded and moved away. As she set down her glass, Pia smiled across the table at KT. Her smile faltered when she saw the expression in KT’s eyes. There was hunger there like none she had ever seen before. She wasn’t a stranger to being desired, but the look in KT’s eyes went far beyond desire. Her dark eyes were ravenous and so fiercely focused that Pia felt the heat on her skin. Softly, she murmured, “Stop.”

“Stop what?” KT asked, her voice barely a whisper. The air between them danced with suggestion.

“You can’t look at me like that in here. My uncle is likely to come out of the kitchen and thrash you.”

The corner of KT’s mouth lifted, and a second later, she laughed. “How big is he?”

“A lot bigger than you are.”

“What about later? Can I look at you this way then?”

Forcing her gaze away from KT’s painfully handsome face, Pia picked up the menu, which she knew by heart. “Everything on here’s great, but I’d recommend one of the seafood-and-pasta dishes.”

KT was unused to women putting her off. Moreover, she never gave in when there was someone she wanted, even if just for an evening. She did the playing, and she didn’t like to be played. She knew not cognizant of how but believing it completely that Pia was not a woman who played or allowed herself to be played. Rather than being annoyed, KT was intrigued.

“You order for me.” KT settled back in her chair, barely recognizing herself. “You’re in charge, remember?”

Pia only smiled and gave their order.

They lingered over dinner, enjoying the exquisite food and the breathtaking sunset.

“It doesn’t matter how many times I see it,” Pia said, swirling port in a heavy glass as she watched night eclipse day over the water. “It’s always so beautiful.”

“Yes.”

The contemplative tone in KT’s voice drew Pia’s gaze from the harbor back to the woman seated across from her. She had enjoyed talking with KT over the meal, finding her sharp, quick intellect challenging and her dry humor pleasant. And she couldn’t deny that she’d enjoyed the undercurrent of sexual innuendo that charged their conversation. She wanted to tell herself it was harmless, and of course, it was, as long as she allowed it to go no further. But still, she couldn’t remember the last time she had been so swayed by a woman’s charms. The heat was back in KT’s eyes, and Pia liked knowing she was the cause. “I like to walk through town after dinner. Would you mind?”

KT shook her head. “Not if it means spending more time with you.”

“There’s only one stipulation.”

“What would that be?” KT asked as she slid her wallet from her back pocket. She managed to extract her credit card one-handed without undue difficultly. Getting better at that Despite Pia’s protests, she passed the card to Lori before Pia could grab the check.

“You don’t have to do that,” Pia said quietly.

“I know. But I want to, so please let me.”

“Then I’ll buy next time.”

“Good enough.” KT slid her right hand across the white cotton tablecloth and covered Pia’s hand with hers. “What’s the stipulation?”

Pia slowly slid her hand from beneath KT’s and dropped it into her lap. “That you stop flirting with me.”

KT’s brows rose. “Why?”

“Because we have important work to do together, and I need to be able to concentrate on it. And so do you.”

“We’re not working now.”

“No, but it’s best that we keep things simple.”

“Simple.”

Pia nodded. “Yes.”

KT grinned. “All right, I can do simple.”

“Good,” Pia replied as she stood, wondering why getting the response she wanted didn’t feel very satisfying. Nevertheless, she said nothing more as she led the way from the restaurant and started toward the east end of the village with KT walking quietly by her side.

They spent two hours walking the length of Commercial Street, window shopping, people watching, and talking easily about the unique village’s history and charms. It was nearly eleven when they turned into the path to Pia’s cottage.

“The apartment is the top floor rear of the main house,” Pia explained, pulling the keys from her pocket.

“Have you seen it?”

“Yes.” Pia stopped just opposite the rear entrance to the house. “I’m very familiar with it. My mother owns the building.”

They stood in a pool of moonlight that afforded them just enough illumination to see one another. KT laughed.

“Just how much of this town does your family own?”

Pia smiled. “On the Portuguese side of my family, quite a lot of it. Remember, we all stem from a few settlers, and most of us are related in some fashion.”

“I’ll take the place.”

“Don’t you want to see it?”

“Not at the moment,” KT said quietly, stepping closer and slipping her arm around Pia’s waist. She leaned forward, lowering her mouth toward Pia’s.

Pia extended her arm, placing her palm flat against the center of KT’s chest. “Stop.” Her voice was tender and soft, as was her touch.

KT immediately grew still, relaxing her hold on Pia’s waist but keeping her hand lightly on Pia’s hip. “Earlier you told me not to look at you as if I wanted you. I tried very hard all evening, but it was a struggle. Now, no kisses either?”

“I’m sorry. It’s just not a good idea.”

“It’s a great idea.” KT stepped back a pace, no longer touching Pia. “If you tell me where to go, I’ll sign the lease on Tuesday.”

Pia gave her the address and held out the keys. “You can take these to check out the apartment at your leisure.”

“You trust me with them?” KT took the keys and pocketed them.

“I trust you with anything, Dr. O’Bannon.” Pia held out her hand. “Good night, and thank you for dinner.”

KT took the offered hand and held it. Pia’s skin was soft, her fingers as strong and gentle as KT remembered. She wanted to touch so much more of her and yet found this small connection supremely satisfying. Without thinking, she turned Pia’s hand and lifted it to her mouth. She brushed her lips over Pia’s knuckles. “I had a wonderful time. Good night, Ms. Torres.”

Then, as Pia watched, KT turned and was instantly swallowed by the night.

Chapter Fifteen

Mid-September

Reese walked into the station house just in time to hear Nelson Parker say, “No way,” in a tone that suggested no further discussion was welcome. She slowed just inside the door to reconnoiter. Bri and Allie, both in uniform, flanked Nelson at his desk. Both the look on Nelson’s face and the fact that he was ripping the wrapper from a fresh roll of Turns indicated that whatever the two rookies had just said to him did not sit well.