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No, she wouldn’t rest easy. How could she now that she’d realized she was as sex starved as she was wary?
Not a comfortable combo.
Unaware of her inner turmoil, he continued, “It’d be easier to do that, however, if I knew who or what I was fighting.”
No, it wouldn’t. She figured she had a much better chance as long as he thought things were simple, instead of so very, very complicated.
But when she looked at him, he was so sincere, so involved, she almost caved. It’d help if he was an ogre. Or at least plain. But she didn’t have that kind of luck. “It is so unfair.”
“What?” he asked, as he stole one of her fries and bit into it. An expression crossed his face, as if he really enjoyed it too.
She watched his jaw move as he chewed, and even that was sexy. “That you should look so good.”
He swallowed and slowly, cautiously, turned his head to face her.
Caught in his beautiful gaze, Cat sighed. “You really do. You realize that, right? And here I am, smart enough to know not to trust you no matter what pretty words you say or how sinfully sexy you are. I’ve had to deal with so much lately, but you’re here now, looking like you look, and I don’t mean just a handsome face or buff build. No, you have to be patient and nice and all alpha-in-control too, which is pretty damned appealing.” She shook her head. “It’s unfair. That’s all I’m saying.”
He didn’t reach for any more fries. “That was saying an awful lot, actually.”
She flapped a hand. “You don’t need to worry about it. I mean, it’s obvious you’re not feeling the same.” She knew it for a fact because he’d looked at her fries with more covetous greed than he’d looked at her. “Just sucks that I have so much on my mind and you keep trying to nudge in there—”
He choked a little.
“—but I’ll block that from my thoughts somehow.”
“That?”
“The attraction.” Pushing back her chair, glad that she’d left him speechless, Cat stood and gathered up her empty containers. “Want the rest of the fries?”
“No, I’m good.”
Sooo good. She swallowed her automatic sigh. Starting right now, she’d stop spouting nonsense. She probably needed a good night’s sleep, then she’d be more mentally functional. “Are you on a diet or something?”
Narrowing his eyes at her, he sat back in his seat. It was a good pose for him, showcasing those flat abs and lean waist while at the same time his chest and shoulders strained the fine fabric of his button-down.
“Cat?”
When her gaze lifted to his, he shook his head, either in frustration or denial, she wasn’t sure which. “What?”
“No diet,” he said. “It’s called healthy eating because I’m not into poisoning my body.”
“Yeah, it shows.” She didn’t see any body fat on him at all. Was this a lifestyle preference leftover from being a fighter? She’d love to hear more about that. Later. If she stuck around. “Personally, I love junk food. If I ever start putting on weight, I’m in trouble.”
“Fast metabolism,” he said. “But you can eat right and still enjoy your food.”
“Do they have fries in your food world?”
A grin twitched over his mouth. “Not much, no.”
“Then I’ll keep living in mine.”
He stood too, and relieved her of the garbage. “I’ll set it out.”
Cat stared up at him. She barely reached his shoulder but instead of feeling insubstantial next to him, she felt oddly protected.
That had something to do with Leese’s overall attitude.
His shirt, the sleeves now rolled to his elbows, fit his broad chest and hard shoulders as if tailored specifically for him. He wore nice jeans and boots, and he looked like a million bucks in a relaxed package.
Until now, she hadn’t realized just how sexy “relaxed” could be.
“Did you want to shower?”
Her eyes flared.
Smiling, he chastised softly, “Alone.”
Ignoring the tinge of disappointment she felt, she turned to escape. “Yeah.”
Leese caught her shoulder. “Cat?”
Nope, she definitely would not face him. “Hmm?”
“If you’re going to call someone, anyone, it’d be better if I knew so I could prepare for it.”
“Can’t,” she said. “No phone.”
“You don’t have a cell?”
Well, heck, why had she just admitted that to him? He kept her rattled without trying.
She’d lost the use of the phone more than a week ago. At first she’d been too worried about someone using her personal cell phone to track her down. Some people had incredible reach and according to the movies, cell phones were a no-no when you were on the run. “I got a prepaid,” she explained. “But it’s done and I haven’t had access to money to—”
“I could take care of it for you.”
Pride made her rigid. “You already bought me food. And you’re paying for this room.”
“It’ll all go on an expense account. Don’t worry about it.”
Oh God, that was even worse because she already knew who’d be covering those expenses—and that meant more control over her.
“We’ll talk about it later.” Again, Leese’s thumb caressed her, this time on her shoulder. “For now, do you need anything?”
Sex, apparently. But that wasn’t happening. “No.” Somehow, some way, she’d figure out how to reimburse him herself. She wasn’t without means, just temporarily unable to access them.
“Then for tonight, how about you put away your worries and just relax? In the morning after you’re better rested we’ll talk—about everything—and get it all sorted out.”
A reprieve. Not a bad idea, considering she was dead on her feet. Now that she’d eaten, sleep beckoned, but first, a much-needed shower. “Sounds like a plan.”
“I’ll be here when you’re done. Then I’ll get Justice to come over while I shower.”
“I won’t be long.” As soon as he released her, she practically ran to the bedroom, closed the glass doors and ducked out of view. Wow, the man packed a sultry punch, and he hadn’t even been trying. What if he decided he wanted to seduce her? How easy would that be?
She knew she was already halfway there.
Gathering up what she needed, determined to stop thinking about him, she headed to the bathroom. But one thought led to another and as she stepped beneath the water, she thought of Leese doing the same.
No, no, no...shoot. Maybe she’d have to keep her own shower cold. If nothing else, it’d wake her up enough to prioritize.
And lusting after a near stranger was nowhere near the top of the list.
* * *
ON THE COUCH, arms stacked behind his head, Leese listened to the quiet.
Or more appropriately, to Cat tossing and turning.
He could picture her right now, how she’d look, that particular curious scowl she wore as if she couldn’t decide whether to be pissed, scared, defiant...or turned on.
What a provoking case she’d already turned into, in more ways than one.
Cat might not realize it, but on many levels she appealed to him. Pretty, hell yes. Nice figure, definitely. But it was more her courage, her defiance and spirit that drew him.
Not that he could be drawn. Not during a case.
It didn’t help that she made her own interest so apparent.
The shower had slightly revived him, helping to cool his lustful thoughts while also making him think about everything he didn’t yet know. She had to have a valid reason for leaving everything familiar, avoiding her family and dodging their efforts to help. And then there was the fact that he was hired to protect her.
From what?
Her fear was real but elusive, there one moment, buried beneath pride the next, sometimes taking center stage and sometimes losing priority as other needs—like a nap and food—took precedence.
Tomorrow, as soon as they left the hotel, he’d take the opportunity to question her on the drive. She’d no longer be exhausted, no longer half-starved...
The amount of food she’d eaten still made him grin. The girl knew how to put it away. Her lack of reserve on that front had also been appealing. She showed no artifice, not about her hunger—or her sexual interest.
Nothing about her demeanor resonated with the idea of a rich pampered girl. She had daring, and she had guts.
When the bedroom door opened, every thought fractured beneath the weight of hot awareness. Saying nothing, he waited.
If she tried to sneak out, then what? He’d have to find a way to wake Justice and—
“Leese?” she whispered.
Her voice, rough and low, stroked over him. He watched the shadow of her slim form move closer. “Something wrong, Cat?”
Losing the hesitant edge, she said, “Sort of,” and...sat beside him on the rollaway bed.
Yeah, not comfortable. For one, she was a near stranger, but more than that, she’d already proven herself to be very unpredictable.
With his arms behind his head, he felt...vulnerable. So he quickly adjusted, coming up to a forearm and half turning toward her. “What is it?”
A slow, audible breath preceded the touch of her hand on his shoulder. “I should be sleeping.”
Definitely. They both should. Had they been awake for the same reason? “But?”
“I can’t quiet my thoughts.”
Maybe they’d have their talk sooner rather than later. He started to sit up, but she said, “Wait.”
For two seconds Leese considered things, then relented, resting back to his arm again.
“This is awkward,” she said. “Bear with me while I sort it out, okay?”
Her nearness no longer worried him, at least not as any sort of threat from a stranger.
No, it had morphed into physical awareness real quick. “Sort out what?”
The silence grew strained, but she didn’t move away.
Leese shifted. “Cat?”
“Could I talk to you without you making assumptions?”
Since he’d already made a dozen or more, probably not. “I’ll do my best.”
“I don’t know what it is about you, but it’s making me nuts. You’re like this assault on my system.”
That didn’t sound good. “An assault?” With every fiber of his being, he was attuned to her cool fingers lightly touching his now-fevered skin.
Rushing her words together, she stretched out next to him. “Could I sleep with you? Sleep, I mean? That nap with you today was the best rest I’ve had in a very long time but I’m still so tired. I just want to sleep, but I don’t dare.” She squeezed him, her small body pressed to his, her face against his throat. Her warm breath teased his skin with her agonized explanation. “I know I shouldn’t trust you, but I keep wanting to anyway.”
Leese tried to relax. “You can trust me.”
As if he hadn’t said that, she continued, “It’s nuts to stay with you, I know that. You’re so far out of your realm it only puts you at risk. I don’t want that on my conscience, so I tried to convince myself to run—”
“Don’t run.” Cautiously, he put his arms around her. Out of his realm? She didn’t have much faith in him.
“Every time I tried to make plans I ended up thinking instead about you being right here. So close and so... Jesus, I hate to say it, but you feel safe.” She tipped her face up to his. “I need you to be safe.”
“I am,” he assured her, tucking her closer, folding his arms protectively around her. He gave her a gentle squeeze.
She snuggled in. “I need to make some big decisions, but tonight it just feels too difficult. I think if I slept well, that’d help.”
“Sleep always helps.” And now, with her body so soft and lax against his, he didn’t want to let her go. Stretching out one long arm he rearranged his blanket to cover her too. “Let your thoughts rest, Cat, and tomorrow we’ll work it out.”
She gave a soft laugh. “Sure. Teamwork, right?”
