Standing in the kitchen, Jo rubbed her arms. “When will Hawk and Remi be here with dinner?”
Cole glanced at his watch. “Shouldn’t be too much longer.”
“How will you get your Yukon back?” She got a glass of water.
“I’ll figure it out. It’s the least of my concerns.” He didn’t want to lead anyone here. Still, even Remi and Hawk coming here could be a mistake. But Hawk had been a military guy and was former law enforcement. He would take all the necessary precautions to make sure he and Remi weren’t followed. Cole pushed all those thoughts away and focused solely on Jo.
She stared up at him with those big, beautiful chestnuteyes. Every day seemed to turn into an unending nightmare for her. He didn’t know how to stop the madness.
What was worse, exhaustion weighed on him. He didn’t have the strength to fight his urgent need to be near her—physically and emotionally. He wanted to tell her what happened, why he disappeared, but that needed to wait because it would only be confusing if he told her in the middle of this muck. Now wasn’t the time.
Or was it?
He stepped forward, resisting the urge to touch her cheek and watch the reaction in her eyes. Reach for a tendril of her long, gorgeous hair. He could barely fight his need to wrap her in his arms.
But he could do this for her. She’d said she wanted a professional relationship with him only. Didn’t she? But she was sending him completely different vibes.What should I do?
“We’ll figure this out, Jo.”I promise. I would go to the ends ofthe earth for you.
But she wouldn’t believe him. Still, the way she looked at him now, he thought maybe she wanted him to say those exact words. He must have been imagining it. Willing it to be so.
And when she leaned toward him, that was all the invitation he needed. He slid his hands over her shoulders and around her back, pulling her fully against him, and held her. She held him. This was right. How it was supposed to be. For the moment, his heart was content. They cocooned each other in reassurance and support, and for his part, he had to admit...
He loved her.
God,do you hear that? I love this woman. Pleasehelp me protect her. Help us find the truth.
She stepped away and looked into his eyes, and in hers,he saw longing. His brain shut down, and his heart took over. She was in his arms again, her lips pressed against his.
Cole’s heart soared to places he’d never been.
And ached ... Jo’s life was in danger. He couldn’t afford this distraction.
She pulled back, and her content sigh nearly undid him. He could hear Hawk’s voice, to add to his own in his head.What are you doing,man?
Turmoil surged in her gaze, as if she realized her mistake—that she never should have kissed him. And now that she had, could either of them stop what was happening between them again, as if picking up where they had left off before?
A knock came at the back door, then someone stepped right inside. Cole had his gun out, ready to take down the threat.
Hawk stepped into view. Behind him, Remi.
Heart pounding, Cole lowered his weapon. He’d been caught off guard. See? This thing between him and Jo wasn’t good. This wasn’t the time.
“Whoa, bro. You knew we were coming.” Hawk looked between Cole and Jo, then irritation flashed in his gaze.
Remi emerged from behind Hawk carrying a couple of bags of food. “Brought your favorite. General Tso’s chicken.”
Jo gasped. “Really? Did Brad make it?”
“Yeah. He cooked it up, especially for you.” Remi looked at Cole. “Kitchen staff. We just hired him on a few months ago, so you probably haven’t met him.”
Was her comment meant as a jab at Cole? Hawk had said Remi wasn’t happy with him, believing he had hurt Jo.
Jo’s smile faded. She must have been thinking the same thing—he had been about to tell her that he loved her and ask for another chance when Hawk and Remi showed up. Remi rushed forward and hugged her. Hawk gave Cole alook that he wasn’t sure how to read. Cole decided it was best not to second-guess his brother, trusting that Hawk would speak his mind sooner or later.
Cole opened the sacks of food and pulled out the aluminum containers. “Smells great.”
Jo got out the dishes. “Thanks for coming all this way.”
