“Why?”
“I hadn’t seen you in a while and I wanted to make sure you were all right. Thought a friendly face might be welcome. Guess not, you were exceptionally quiet on the way down.”
She reached over and touched his arm gently as he maneuvered into traffic. “No, it had nothing to do with you. I was petrified of actually testifying. I’m sorry I wasn’t better company.”
Looking in each direction, he made a turn and headed for the highway. “It’s not your job to entertain me. I was fine with the silence. Gave me an opportunity to check out your new duds. Got to say it’s a far cry from your elegant waitressing outfit.”
She groaned loud and long. “I don’t want to even remember I wore that hideous ensemble for as long as I did. And speaking of clothes, you realize we don’t have my suitcase. It’s still in the car that George drove us here in.”
“Nope.” Winking, he pointed his thumb in the direction of the back seat. “Look there. I had them put it in here while we were inside. Didn’t want to waste any time once court was adjourned for the day. It’s at least sixteen hours to your house.”
“Why are you driving me?” she asked. “I don’t understand. I figured you’d drop me at the airport.”
“It’s the day before Thanksgiving, sweetie,” he chuckled. “There isn’t a flight available toanywherein this world, definitely not Pennsylvania. It’s easier to drive and I thought maybe you could use the time to prepare yourself for seeing your family again.”
Letting out a deep sigh she stared at her hands. “What if they don’t forgive me? What if they don’t want me to stay?”
He let go of the steering wheel long enough to pat her knee. “They love you and keep checking to see if anyone has located you. They want you back. They’re your family and miss you.”
She nodded solemnly but remained quiet. It would be a long trip if she stayed brooding like this. “Why don’t you tell me more about your family. When I drop you off I’ll probably meet some of them, right? Give me a little background so I won’t be completely in the dark.”
Meg glanced up, a slow smile spreading across her face. “Well, first, my dad, he only knows three jokes and he tells them over and over again. They’re funny the first hundred times you hear them. After that…”
Chris smiled.
* * * *
Meg opened the door to the hotel room, exhaustion overcoming her from testifying at the trial and the eight-hour drive. They’d made it as far as North Carolina. She’d tried to stay awake so she could talk to Chris and keep him awake too. Now she was ready to collapse. However only one room had been available due to Thanksgiving travelers and sleeping near Chris wouldn’t be conducive to a good night’s rest.
She allowed him to go in first as he was carrying both their bags then stopped in her tracks. There was only one bed. One gigantic king-sized bed.
He didn’t seem fazed by the fact, so she shut the door coming in farther. “Do you mind if I go first?” His bag got tossed on the bed and he pulled something out of it heading for the bathroom. “All that coffee went right through me.”
Her lungs still weren’t working as she eyed the bed. “That’s fine. Go ahead.”
It was only a few minutes until he came out, barefoot and bare-chested. She wouldn’t getanysleep tonight. The man was too damned delicious and much too tempting. He was also professional to a fault. She remembered that vividly.
Grabbing her sleep shorts and tank top she spent a few minutes cleaning up. As she brushed her teeth there was a knock on the door.
“Are you almost finished? I forgot to brush my teeth”
“Come in,” she called out and the door opened. Chris placed his shaving kit on the counter then dug out his toothbrush. The smile on his face was pleasant and warm. And a tiny bit seductive? No, it must be her imagination and wishful thinking. He’d told her more than once any relationship between them was taboo.
She glanced over a few times as he cleaned his teeth, so conscious of his presence. Her own teeth brushed, she wiped her mouth with a towel.
He slid up behind her to wipe his hands on the same towel and her skin tingled with awareness. Closing her eyes, she stood perfectly still for a second, enjoying the feel of his bare chest against her back. No movement from him either.
He pushed her hair aside lowering his lips to her shoulder. Tiny kisses made a path up to her ear and down again. A gasp escaped her mouth as his tongue swirled over her skin.
“You like that?” His whisper was right next to her ear and she shivered in reply. He knew precisely where to lick and suck to get a response from her. He’d done it more than a few times while out by the pool. Did he know she hadn’t faked her reactions?
Settling his hands on her hips he pulled her back against his hard body then slid them under the loose edges of her top. He couldn’t keep doing this. It was driving her mad but it would kill her if he stopped.
It was like old times except now there wasn’t anyone around to put on a show for. Moreno was behind bars and would hopefully stay there for the rest of his life. Meg wouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth so she rested against the very masculine chest and enjoyed. Tomorrow she would be back home and he’d be long gone.
Chris must have felt her deep sigh as he wrapped both arms around her. He nuzzled his face in her neck and said, “It’s all over, sweetie. Now it’s time for you to start living again. No more thoughts on all that happened in the last two years.”
Meg nodded, the feeling of his strong arms surrounding her driving away those awful memories, though it would take a lot more to make them disappear for good. When he pressed his lips again along her neck and shoulder, all bad thoughts scattered like dust in the wind. A tiny moan escaped from her mouth causing the kisses to gain momentum and fervor.
