She did know, sort of. Last year she hadn’t been here that long. She figured she’d get out of it soon then get back home. She hadn’t expected a life sentence in hell. One of her own making.
The arms around her were heaven and she didn’t want to leave. But it couldn’t last. Theirs was a business relationship. Agent and informant. Right now it seemed like so much more, and she’d enjoy every second. She snuggled in closer and his arms tightened around her.
“I know.” Chris suddenly sat up straighter and emptiness cloaked her where his arms had been. “Why don’t we make a cake for her? We got all that baking stuff at the store last week so you could make cookies. Do you need anything else for a cake?”
God, he was beautiful. Inside and out. Her spirits lifted and it took a few moments to shift gears. She wiped the last of the tears from her cheeks. “Think we’re all set for a cake, but frosting…I’d need confectioner’s sugar.”
He looked skeptical. “Couldn’t I buy a can of frosting?”
She scooted off the couch, hands on her hips. “Seriously? Canned frosting? Not for my mother’s birthday cake,muffin. She’d have my hide. Think we could bribe someone from the kitchen? I’d bet they have some.”
He stood up next to her reaching for the phone. “You forget how important I am in this establishment. I can probably manage some confectioner’s sugar. How much do you need?”
She recalled her mother’s recipe for butter cream frosting. How much sugar? “At least four cups. Can you finagle that, Oh Important One?”
He nodded as he got someone on the phone. What would she have done without him today? Spent the whole day crying, probably. And in that tiny dump she’d had. Yet again he was her hero. Not that she’d tell him. He teased her enough about being a damsel in distress. She smiled at him hoping he saw the gratitude shining from her eyes.
* * * *
“Are you sure you don’t want another piece?” Meg asked as she watched Chris devour the last of his cake.
“I already had three,” he complained. “Are you trying to make me fat?”
He picked up their dishes to rinse in the sink then took her hand leading her to the couch. “Now it’s time for an afternoon nap.”
As he stretched his long legs out she crossed her arms over her chest. “Seriously? It’s five o’clock. I’m usually working now.”
He closed his eyes relaxing. He’d planned on going to the club tonight while she stayed and had some time to herself. But after her little break-down, he figured it might be better to keep her occupied and busy. “AndIusually take a little nap at this time. Helps me make it through the night until I have to walk you home.”
“Walk me home?” Her outraged voice moved closer. The cushions next to him lowered. When he opened his eyes she was leaning over him. “I have told you over and over that I don’t need anyone to walk me home. I’m a big girl now. I can tie my own shoes and everything.”
“I know you are,” he said grinning. “Humor me.”
“Soyouget a nap while I slave away serving drinks.”
“Hey, I don’t sleep until noon like you do,” he pointed out. “Plus, I’m older than you. I need my rest. Come on, I’ll teach you how to take a nap.”
He pulled on her until she was aligned with his body along the couch. With her curves pressed so close he wasn’t sure he would actually fall asleep. You’d think snuggling and kissing her so often recently would make him immune to her intoxicating presence. Hadn’t happened yet. Her head on his chest and her hair tickling his nose stirred something inside that was difficult to control.
She propped her chin on his chest asking, “So, exactly how old are you?”
He chuckled. “Older than you.”
She rolled her eyes. “Obviously. So what, like forty?”
“Forty?” He jerked up glaring at her. “Do I look like I’m forty?”
Her giggling settled him down. If he looked forty then he needed to start taking better care of himself. “For your information, I turned thirty-one a few months ago. Nowhere near forty.”
She snickered again, thinking she was funny. He’d let her have her fun. It was far better than the emotional wreck she’d been earlier. Her crying had sent him into a tailspin since he’d never seen her like that before. Her pride wouldn’t allow it. Luckily she’d let him give her comfort.
She always felt so good in his arms, like right now. It could be habit forming. He’d have to watch that because she wouldn’t be around forever. But somewhere in the back of his mind he wondered if they could…No, don’t even go there, Shaunessy. Don’t get too close to the damsels. That’s the golden rule. Save them, get them to safety, but never get too close. Getting close only causes pain.
“So, where’d you learn to cook like that?” he asked. “That cake actually melted in my mouth. Even my mother doesn’t make a cake that delicious.” Of course he’d never tellherthat. Not if he wanted to live.
“My mom taught my sister Lizzy and me. We loved taking out the baking supplies and following the recipes that were passed down from my great-grandmother. We’d have so much fun making cakes for everyone’s birthday.”
She grew quiet. Thinking about her mother and the fact it was her birthday today, no doubt. It was Meg’s birthday next week. Was she thinking of that too? He wished he could do something else to help her. Putting Moreno in jail would be great but they hadn’t gotten the right information yet.
